Catapult Research Papers

Catapult Research

A catapult can be best described as a structure that uses various concepts of physics in order to launch an object across a given area in a projectile motion. Catapults eliminate the use of any explosives that accelerate the object into motion, like bullets from a gun, or cannons. The concept of catapults have been in existence since medieval times, and were extremely important during wartime. The catapult, first came into existence in Greece, which the Romans quickly learnt of. The two most common types of catapults used during ancient wartime were the doubled armed machine, more commonly known as the ballista for shooting arrows, and the single-armed catapult for the larger objects. In an article named “Stone-Hurling Catapult,

Greece, 400 BCE”, the author says that both of these were catapults were the inventions of The Greek Dionysius, the Elder of Syracuse in 400 BCE.

The author further explains how once the Romans gained knowledge of the weapon, they innovated it further by adding wheels to the catapult for easier mobility. The author describes the Ballista as “ a giant crossbow, used for shooting large arrows or darts. It was a powerful anti-personnel weapon, capable of transfixing several armoured men with a single dart”. The ballista works by the tension created by skeins of rope or animal muscles or tendons, and the wooden structure created by the manufacturer. Another important catapult used during wartime was the Perrier. In an article on “codesmiths.com”, the author describes it as “Perriers relied on simple muscle power for their action. This is a three rope example, powered by six soldiers pulling on it. There are stories of large perriers using up to two hundred soldiers.” We get an idea as to the vast variety of catapults being used during the time. Even under a subcategory of a type of catapult, we have several dozens of different types. The author goes further in detail, and shows how the Perrier, unlike the other catapults, could only fire stones weighing under 10 lbs. Although there was a weight limit on the Perrier, the catapult was known for its high rate of fire, firing about

10 times per minute. From these medieval inventions, the concept of the catapult is being used even to this day. Since military aircraft carriers are small, and do not allow the plane to attain enough speed for taking off, the concepts of a catapult help achieve this take off. Almost all carriers today have at least four different catapults. In an article “Modern Uses of a Catapult” by Steve Johnson, the author shows how these catapults contain two cylinders with pistons-similar to the ones we have in cars. He further explains how these catapults can boost the jet to extremely high speeds in a very short distance, which allows the plain to gain height in just a couple of seconds. Although the uses of catapults have not changed from a wartime perspective, the science involved to further improve the tool can be clearly seen.