Background Information:
The Trebuchet is a medieval
siege weapon used to launch large stones at castle walls. These trebuchets
were built to huge specifications, with beams up to 50 ft in length (History).
Unlike a catapult, which transfers energy to the projectile by bending a beam,
and is limited by the flexibility of said beam, a trebuchet provides energy by
the raising of a weight, and the energy is transferred the projectile through
the angular motion of the beam. This provides for a nearly limitless amount of
energy possible; one need only put more weight in/on the trebuchet in order to
increase the potential energy.
There are three types of trebuchets that one can build. The type used in medieval trebuchets uses only the energy from the bucket to propel the projectile. These can have either fixed weights, where the counterweight is attached directly to the beam, or hinged weights, where the weight is added to a bucket that is allowed to swing freely. Because the energy from a hinged weight is allowed to fall in a straighter path, more of the energy is transferred to the projectile. Adding wheels to the trebuchet also allows the weight to fall in a straighter line, having the same increase in efficiency. The second type of trebuchet, the Traction Trebuchet, has energy added by the pulling of ropes, and was the precursor to the counterweight-powered trebuchet. The third type, the Floating-Arm Trebuchet, is a modern revision, which allows the weight to fall entirely vertically. These both add to the efficiency, but, due to their cost and scope, are unable to be tested in this experiment.