Toy Science

We'll have fun ahead building a toy that didn't begin as a toy. In ancient times, giant catapults were used as weapons to hurl stones and other dangerous objects across great distances toward an enemy. For your enjoyment we are creating a fun-filled and peaceful toy for you and friends.
Your project, a toy catapult, is based on a small Chinese skill toy that originally launched a hard wooden ball between two cups. Measuring two feet long, this catapult project is much larger than the original toy and uses safe, soft, puff balls as its projectile. Background Information: Catapults use projectile motion to move objects across distances.
A couple of factors can affect the distance an object can be launched, such as the mass of the object, and the amount of force used to move the object.
Force - a push or pull. A force can make something start moving, stop moving, or make 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 can’t use force to make something move!
• There are two different kinds of energy
 Kinetic Energy – the energy of motion.
Potential Energy – is stored energy – it has “potential” to do something.