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How to Make Catapults That Launch Ping-Pong Balls

Although it's unknown when the first catapult was constructed, the first catapult appears in the historical record around the 9th century B.C. in Iraq. Throughout the next five centuries, catapults became popular weapons and in 399 B.C., Dionysius of Sicily enticed craftsmen with high wages and gifts to build large arsenals of weapons, including catapults. It appears that Dionysius' effort was responsible for spreading the knowledge of catapult building. You can use this knowledge to make your own catapult that launches ping-pong balls.

Things You'll Need

Mousetrap
Pliers
Plastic spoon
Duct tape
Ping-pong ball

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the mousetrap on a flat surface and remove the trigger arm and trigger mechanism with pliers. These two parts are held in place with metal hooks inserted into the wood; pull up on the hooks to remove them.
- 2
  Leave the string mechanism (the rectangular metal wire) in its relaxed position.
- 3
  Place the handle of the plastic spoon under the string mechanism face-down. The ladle of the spoon should be approximately 2 inches away from the short side of the mousetrap.
- 4
  Tape the handle of the spoon to the middle of the string mechanism on the side closest to the short edge of the mouse trap. Use at least four wrappings of tape.
- 5
  Pull the string mechanism toward you so the spoon's ladle is closest to you. Place a ping-pong ball in the ladle and let go of the string mechanism.

Educational Toys