Rubber Band Catapult Science Project

The catapult science basically involves some physics and engineering skills to hurl a projectile without the use of an explosive.

Rubber band catapult science project.

Science skills are used to test and hypothesize how far the object catapulted will go. With this science project you will try your hand at catapult technology. For the rubber band we recommend measuring your own values in case the type of rubber bands shipped with the catapult kit change over time. For my science fair project i decided to make a catapult.

Figure 6 shows how to do this. Check out more catapult designs here design this easy catapult with craft sticks a spoon and rubbers bands. These simple catapults are quick and easy versions of the real thing using a fulcrum instead of a spring so kids don t knock their teeth out. Catapults store potential energy by stretching ropes and rubber bands and even by bending and flexing the wooden lever.

My hypothesis was that it would launch at least 10ft. Only one rubber band will make it looser causing it to launch farther. Your catapult is now ready. What is the science behind rubber band catapult.

Catapult uses math and engineering to build the catapult using glue rubber bands and popsicle sticks. Potential energy is the store energy where as the kinetic energy is the energy in motion. The catapult s design makes it easy to measure and repeat how hard the ball is launched and its direction so you can find the right catapult settings to hit the target reliably. Put hot glue over the topmost popsicle stick away from the rubber banded end.

Finally physics to talk about what happens and why when the catapult is activated. Sneak some science into your play time. This catapult worked by storing elastic potential energy. The more energy you pack in the higher your ball will go.

I think it will launch 10 ft because i only put 1 rubber band around the the popsicle stick that will be launching the tinfoil ball. Using a rubber band powered catapult you will send ping pong balls flying through the air. Mitch and i have been designing popsicle stick catapults lately and it s been so freakin fun. It works mainly by using potential and kinetic energy stored in the rubber bands.

To measure x 0 you will have to measure the length of the rubber band while it is unstretched but flat. The bring science home activity build a catapult showed you how to build a miniature catapult out of popsicle sticks and rubber bands.