Dylan+Bray's+Trebuchet


 * Dylan Bray's Trebuchet **

__**Physics Principles**__
toc
 * Projectile:** is any object that is propelled through space by a force. The object will follow a parabolic path due to the force of gravity pulling down on it. The optimum angle to launch a projectile to get the most distance is 45 degrees.
 * Newtons Second Law:** F=ma. For a trebuchet the mass of the counterweight multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity will equal the force used to launch the projectile (Christmas ball)

**__Building Procedure__**

 * 1) Build two 20cm x 5cm Lego walls placed 10cm apart on top a 26cm x 26cm Lego platform (base)
 * 2) Build two triangular shape Lego supports and one 29cm long arm and connect them so that the arm rotates but the supports do not
 * 3) Connect a semi-sphere at the top of the arm
 * 4) Tie a roll of nickels with string to the end of the arm

__**Materials**__

 * 1) 30 Lego Technic blocks
 * 2) 10 Lego "plates"
 * 3) 58 standard Lego bricks
 * 4) 1 Lego semi-sphere
 * 5) 1 Lego platform (base)
 * 6) String
 * 7) 1 roll of nickels

__**Testing Procedure**__

 * 1) Measure in meters the length of the arm
 * 2) Calculate in kilograms the mass of the trebuchet
 * 3) Place Christmas ball into the scoop at the top of the arm
 * 4) Pull the arm down with your finger so that the arm is almost at a straight vertical
 * 5) Release your finger and watch the ball launch
 * 6) Observe where the ball lands and record in meters where lands in relativity to the pivot point of the trebuchet
 * 7) Repeat steps 3 to 6 eight times
 * 8) Calculate P (P=d/lm) for each trial and find the average score

__**Data and Observations**__

 * Trial || Mass (gms) || Arm Length (m) || Distance (m) || P=d/lm ||
 * 1 || 0.5 || 0.33 || 1.08 || 6.55 ||
 * 2 || 0.5 || 0.33 || 0.87 || 5.27 ||
 * 3 || 0.5 || 0.33 || 0.96 || 5.82 ||
 * 4 || 0.5 || 0.33 || 1.01 || 6.12 ||
 * 5 || 0.5 || 0.33 || 1.05 || 6.36 ||
 * 6 || 0.5 || 0.33 || 1.08 || 6.55 ||
 * 7 || 0.5 || 0.33 || 0.97 || 5.88 ||
 * 8 || 0.5 || 0.33 || 0.92 || 5.58 ||
 * ||  ||   || Average P→ || 6.02 ||

__**Analysis**__
My first build of the trebuchet was successful but in had to play adjust minor things with the scoop at the top of the arm. I at first used a lego piece that resembled the front of a bulldozer which did not work very well. I then tried building a sling but that was unsuccessful. Finally I used the semi-sphere shape scoop that could pivot and it was very successful.

**__Trebuchet in Action__**
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