Catapult lesson

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Most catapults have levers, and a lever is a simple machine! Simple machines help us do work by changing the direction of a force/effort.

Catapult

Draw or sketch the catapult you have built below. Label the fulcrum, load and force/effort on your drawing.

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Force/effort- a push or pull. A force can make something start moving, stop moving, or change direction.

Work- work is done when we use a force (a push or pull) to move something over a distance.

Energy- the ability to do work. If I have no energy, I canʼt use force to make something move!

• There are 2 different kinds of energy: • Kinetic Energy- the energy of motion • Potential Energy- stored energy, it has the “potential” to do something.

• Elastic potential energy- a rubber band can store energy and convert it to motion when it is released.

• Gravitational potential energy- the energy an object has when it is raised off the ground.

Simple machines make our lives easier by allowing us to use less energy and force to do work. Simple machines can be combined to form compound machines.

There are 6 simple machines for performing work. The lever is one of the simple machines. A lever is made up of a plank that is free at both ends, and a steady object on which it rests. The object that does not move is called the fulcrum. The object that is trying to move is called the load.

The distance from the load to the fulcrum is called the effort.

Background

Catapults use projectile motion to move objects across distances. You can impact the distance an object can be launched by adjusting things like the mass (weight) of an object or the amount of force used to move the object.

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What kind of lever is your catapult?

Load

Effort

class lever fulcrum

Load 2nd

Effort

class lever fulcrum

Effort 3rd class lever fulcrum

Measure the distance your bird traveled: Measuring Instrument: Distance 1st try: Distance 2nd try: Distance 3rd try:

Load

Inquiry

1st

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Reflection:

Reflection

Label: • The point of greatest kinetic energy • The point of greatest potential energy • Where potential energy transforms to kinetic energy.

• Fulcrum • Load • Force (effort)

Anastasis Academy ἀνάστασις Inspiring every child to: Imagine Believe Achieve Create

Most catapults have levers, and a lever is a simple machine. Simple machines help us do work by changing the direction of a force.

Catapult

Draw or sketch the catapult you have built below. Label the fulcrum, load and force on your drawing. Also label: • The point of greatest kinetic energy • The point of greatest potential energy • Where potential energy transforms to kinetic energy.

Anastasis Academy ἀνάστασις Inspiring every child to: Imagine Believe Achieve Create

Force- a push or pull. A force can make something start moving, stop moving, or change direction.

Work- work is done when we use a force (a push or pull) to move something over a distance.

Energy- the ability to do work. If I have no energy, I canʼt use force to make something move!

• There are 2 different kinds of energy: • Kinetic Energy- the energy of motion • Potential Energy- stored energy, it has the “potential” to do something.

• Elastic potential energy- a rubber band can store energy and convert it to motion when it is released.

• Gravitational potential energy- the energy an object has when it is raised off the ground.

Simple machines make our lives easier by allowing us to use less energy and force to do work. Simple machines can be combined to form compound machines.

There are 6 simple machines for performing work. The lever is one of the simple machines. A lever is made up of a plank that is free at both ends, and a steady object on which it rests. The object that does not move is called the fulcrum. The object that is trying to move is called the load.

The distance from the load to the fulcrum is called the effort.

Background

Catapults use projectile motion to move objects across distances. You can impact the distance an object can be launched by adjusting things like the mass (weight) of an object or the amount of force used to move the object.

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How can you increase the accuracy of your catapult?

What kind of lever is your catapult? (first, second, third class) What are different objects we can use to measure?

Does the mass (weight) of an object affect the results?

How did the catapult set the marshmallow in motion?

What kind of energy did the catapult use?

What kind of force did the catapult use?

What happens when the arm of a lever is shortened? What happens to the force needed to make the load move?

What happens when you change the fulcrum?

What happens when you adjust the angle?

Why was the catapult invented?

What influences do historical inventions have on present day technology?

What does being an inventor tell us about who we are as created beings?

Inquiry

What kind of changes increased the distance that the catapult launched the marshmallow bird? Why did these changes increase (or decrease) the distance?

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Reflection:

Reflection

Label: • The point of greatest kinetic energy • The point of greatest potential energy • Where potential energy transforms to kinetic energy.

• Fulcrum • Load • Force (effort)