Calculations
Considerations:
· No friction · No air resistance · Pouch and sling have no mass · Trebuchet is stationary · Assume that all gravitational potential energy is transferred to kinetic energy · Assume the sling and pouch reach the same velocity as the swing arm Frame of Reference: Down and forward are positive. Known: g=9.8m/s2 [down] /\y=2.1m h1=0.60m h2=0.30m h3=0.15m |
Notes:
This derivation is not accurate in accordance with the actual trebuchet. The release of a trebuchet usually occurs at an angle, the sling cord and pouch trailing the swing arm, the swing arm not having the apex. |