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C A T A P U L T S Physics, Background and History

C A T A P U L T S Physics, Background and History. Definition. A machine that converts POTENTIAL ENERGY into mechanical motion or KINETIC ENERGY ” Comes from the Greek word “ Katapultos , ” meaning “ shield crusher ” AKA: Siege Engine or Siege Machine. The Invention.

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C A T A P U L T S Physics, Background and History

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  1. C A T A P U L T SPhysics,Background and History

  2. Definition • A machine that converts POTENTIAL ENERGY into mechanical motion or KINETIC ENERGY” • Comes from the Greek word “Katapultos,” meaning “shield crusher” • AKA: Siege Engine or Siege Machine

  3. The Invention • The catapult, as we would recognize it today, was invented by the Greeks about 399 BC but various forms were found in central Asia much earlier than that • During the war with Carthage, Dionysius of Syracuse produced the Gastraphetes or “belly bow” catapult

  4. The Invention continued… • By 330 BC two distinct types of catapults emerged • One fired javelins (spears) called a Euthytonon • The other was the stone throwing Palintonon

  5. How was it used in Medieval times? • First we need to understand the society of the Middle Ages • Fear was rampant (AKA: Dark Ages) • There was huge disparity between the rich and poor (Feudalism) • Castles were constructed to protect nobles (& peasants but only during crisis)

  6. Castle construction • Moat • Draw bridge • Portcullis • Guard tower/ Barbican • Murder holes

  7. Portcullis

  8. Catapult AKASiege Machine or Siege Engine • What is a siege? • One army surrounds an enemy, keeping help, goods and water from leaving or entering the castle

  9. Medieval warfare • Infantry (usually the poor) • Archers (trained/ paid military) • Battering Ram • Psychological warfare • Flaming shrubbery and brush • Dead, diseased bodies • Heads of tortured victims

  10. Battering Ram

  11. Catapult Structure & Design A typical catapult has each of the following: • Arm • Base • Elastic Force • Fulcrum

  12. Most catapults were made of wood • The elastic force provided by twisted rope, springs, saplings • The fulcrum is the point of support for a lever- which in the case of a catapult is the arm

  13. Factors Affecting Distance • Mass of object being hurled • Strength & flexibility of arm • Mass of arm • Length of the arm • How far the arm is pulled back • Angle of base or release (best angle?) • Small transfer of energy into distortion

  14. Types of Catapults • Roman design and others found during the Medieval period

  15. Ballista • Roman • Double armed – like a bow • Shot large spears or javelins

  16. Mangonel or Onager • French • “Engine of War” • Typical catapult

  17. Trebuchet • French meaning “to stumble” • Used a sling with the arm • Extremely accurate • Most advanced of all catapults

  18. Fixed Counterweight Trebuchet

  19. Swinging or Hinged Counterweight Trebuchet

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