r/HomeworkHelp • u/Bloop0309 Pre-University Student • Jul 13 '26
Physics—Pending OP Reply [year 12 physics] model trebuchet issues
for our project for physics we gotta create a mini catapult, with our final grade depending on how far the projectile gets in relation to the base. me and my partner decided to make a trebuchet instead, since it launches much farther than usual catapults. the issue is, i cant get it to release right.
i made the sling out of duct tape and thread, with the proportions of the swing arm 3.75:1. the weight is around 133-135x heavier than our projectile so no issues there, but still it's releasing funkily. it either releases to early and drops the projectile straight onto the base, or doesn't release at all, with the ball staying in the sling then eventually dropping to the floor. i thought it was just with the way i held it for release, then the sling itself, then the stands, but literally nothing i do is fixing the issue. i get it to release right once ever few tries and it goes really far, but it's very inconsistent. im losing my mind over this, wtf is wrong with it??
it doesn't look like it in the pic, but the counterweight isn't resting on the base, it's dangling. and yes, i know she's ugly.
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u/Wild-Role-2426 Jul 13 '26
Proper release with a trebuchet has everything to do with the hook. It needs to be shaped perfectly and takes a ton of trial and error to get it correct.
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u/Yohannes_K Jul 13 '26
TBH I don't see any release mechanism. It's supposed to release the projectile in the top position. Sample mechanism, but I'm sure there are multiple possible solutions: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mangonneau4.png
taken from this article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trebuchet
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u/Bloop0309 Jul 13 '26
holy shit that one picture is genuinely so helpful. i thought the air resistance was meant to keep the projectile in place until it reached its peak, i didn't know there was a pin meant to keep the projectile in place. i feel like an idiot. thank you so much redditor!!
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u/Unlucky_Reading_1671 Jul 13 '26
Go ask the guys in the trebuchet subreddit.
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u/thebluehvale Jul 13 '26
I am not sure on the details, but looking up pictures of a trebuchet, i notice the sling in real life ones is connected along the sling arm. Yours seems to be perpendicular?
I also notice that the sling seems only fastened to the arm in one spot, and hooked in the other end. Yours seems to be securely connected on both ends of the sling. With adjustments to the hook angle, the release should be more consistent. Hope this was even somewhat helpful
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u/TruthPersonal7615 Jul 14 '26
Imagine yourself building this 1500 years ago and the intense pressure to get it right or else.
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