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Emily Huffaker
History of catapults.
Catapults were first used in medieval war. The first types of catapults were made to make crossbows better. These catapults were early attempts to increase the range and power of a crossbow. There are three main types of catapults: Ballista , Mangonel and the Trebuchet.
Types of Catapults:
Ballista Catapults:
Ballista catapults rely upon different mechanics. They use two levers with torsion springs( curved springs) instead of a prod (the bow of a modern crossbow). These catapults were used in medieval Greek and French war times.
History of catapults.
Catapults were first used in medieval war. The first types of catapults were made to make crossbows better. These catapults were early attempts to increase the range and power of a crossbow. There are three main types of catapults: Ballista , Mangonel and the Trebuchet.
Types of Catapults:
Ballista Catapults:
Ballista catapults rely upon different mechanics. They use two levers with torsion springs( curved springs) instead of a prod (the bow of a modern crossbow). These catapults were used in medieval Greek and French war times.
![Picture](/uploads/3/7/9/5/37958287/546787_orig.jpg)
The Scorpio Ballista Catapult. Digital image. Illustrated History of the Roman Empire. N.p., May 2007. Web. 03 Nov. 2014. <http://www.roman-empire.net/army/scorpion-pics.html>
.Mangonel Catapults:
The Mangonel works by pulling a long arm with a bucket attached down from a 90o angle. By doing this you store the potential energy of the catapult in the ropes and the arm.
Digital image. Real World Physics Problems. N.p., 2014. Web. 06 Nov. 2014. <http://www.real-world-physics-problems.com/catapult-physics.html>.
Trebuchet:
A trebuchet catapult is a type of catapult that was used as a siege engine in the . A middle ages trebuchet works by using the energy of a raised counterweight to throw a projectile. A beam is attached to an axle. The smaller end of the beam is attached to the counter weight. The long end of the beam is pulled down, raising the counterweight. A sling, which has a pouch containing the projectile, is attached to the long end of the beam. When you release the trigger, the sling and the beam swing upward, pivoting on the axle where one end of the sling releases, opening the pouch and allowing the projectile to fly towards the target.
A trebuchet catapult is a type of catapult that was used as a siege engine in the . A middle ages trebuchet works by using the energy of a raised counterweight to throw a projectile. A beam is attached to an axle. The smaller end of the beam is attached to the counter weight. The long end of the beam is pulled down, raising the counterweight. A sling, which has a pouch containing the projectile, is attached to the long end of the beam. When you release the trigger, the sling and the beam swing upward, pivoting on the axle where one end of the sling releases, opening the pouch and allowing the projectile to fly towards the target.
Toms, Ron L. Stirling Warwolf Trebuchet. Digital image. RLT Industries. N.p., 2014. Web. 07 Nov. 2014. <http://store.rlt.com/the-stirling-warwolf-trebuchet/>.
Similarities and Differences:
Similarities and Differences:
- The Mangonel had great power, but not near as good accuracy as the Ballista.
- The Trebuchet had the best power, but was not as accurate as the Ballista or Mangonel.
- The Ballista had great accuracy but was not as powerful as the Mangonel or the Trebuchet.