The Fun of Physics

Ryan Sheldon

The first part of our journey into the world of physics began with the construction of our own miniature catapults using a few scraps of wood, some paper (as ammunition), and a mousetrap. The catapult was designed to launch a load at a target using large amounts of potential energy being quickly released. The objective of the completed catapults was to assault a stack of cups from a set range.

Catapults

Catapults 2

After the completion of our miniature catapults, it was on to the construction of larger, and more powerful catapults, using heavy tubing as a firing system.

TrebuchetAfter being stuck inside due to rain for a day and watching The Last Castle film to obtain an understanding of what a trebuchet was, we were off to build one. The difference between a trebuchet and a catapult is that a trebuchet uses counterweights to hurl its load at whatever the target may be.

Field Trip

The destination of our field trip was the Dayton Air Force Museum. While there, our objective was to search the museum for bits of information that took us along a self guided tour of the museum.

Mousetrap Cars

The mousetrap car is pretty self explanatory. Using a board, some old CD’s as wheels, and a mousetrap with a string on it to pull the rear axel to turn it. This turning drives the car forward.

Slingshot

The slingshots were purchased, but were made out of high tension rubber bands and a small cloth pouch with a handle.

Rockets

The rockets we constructed were made from cardboard tubing, some balsawood for wings, and the other assorted rockets parts from a kit (nose cone, engine mount, and engine). Some flights ended in disaster but for the most part, were successful.

Bridges

The bridges were not our finest hour, but that doesn’t matter. They were constructed from a template and file folders.

Film Physics

The time we had off, we took to watch films that illustrated good use of physics. The Last Castle for the display of a trebuchet and Flight of the Phoenix for the display of aerodynamic physics on the construction of a plane.