How Do Force & Energy Help a Catapult?

Force

• Force is the pushing or pulling on an object to induce movement. In a catapult, force is how it functions. The amount of force applied to a catapult determines how high and how far the catapult can launch an object. Force can also help determine the direction of the launched object.

Energy

• Energy is the ability to do work. Work, in science terms, is using force to move an object. Many things, along with human beings, have potential energy, meaning they have the ability to do work. In a catapult, energy is required, because without it, there would be no possibility for movement or the force necessary to operate it.

Operation of a Catapult

• A catapult operates by placing an object to be launched at one end of some sort of arm. Force is applied at the other end to launch the object. In the middle is the fulcrum, where the weight rests as the force shifts the catapult to launch the object in the air. It operates similarly to a seesaw, but with more force and on a larger scale.

Classification as a Lever

• A catapult is classified as a simple machine, specifically a type of lever. It is a part of the family of class three levers, where the fulcrum, or pivot point, of the lever is in the middle of the catapult and the load, or object the catapult is attempting to move, is at one end. The effort, or level of force, is applied to the end of the lever opposite the load in a catapult.