Theoretical Range

Range = 2 x h x (M/m)
Range = 2 x 33 cm x (22.6796 kg / 0.057 kg)
Range = 26260.59 cm
Range = 262.6 m

Average distance= (51.69m + 50.99m + 42.11m + 50.29m + 51.00m) / 5
Average distance= 51.22 m

Difference between Range and Average distance= 262.6m - 51.22m
Difference between Range and Average distance= 211.38m


Five Reasons that kept our trebuchet from hurling the theoretical range:

Friction:
The friction between the moving parts of our trebuchet including between the swinging arm and the rod it is placed on cause the arm to not swing as fast and not hurl the ball to the full potential. As well the friction of the ball and pouch on the underside of the trebuchet as it is pulled upward by the swinging arm causes it to slow down and reduce the range.

Air Resistance:
The air resistance on the ball causes it to slow down and accelerate negatively causing the actual range to decrease. The ball we use is a tennis ball so it is not as aerodynamic as say a golf ball and therefore the tiny hairs on the ball cause more air resistance and reduce the range as well.

Pouch and Release Options:
In the theoretical range it is not considered that the pouch may not work in prime condition all the time. We had issues with our pouch at different times sometimes it did not release at the prime position it either held on too long to the ball or let go too early this caused the difference in actual range as compared to the theoretical range as well.

Release Angle:
Our trebuchet was supposed to be set with a release angle of 45 degrees, however we were not sure if it was ever actually exact on that value. It was difficult with transporting of the trebuchet and repeated use to say that it didn't change or was affected and possibly not the 45 degrees it was supposed to be. This affected and decreased our range as well.

Environment conditions:
The weather conditions affected our actual range as well reducing the range. Factors such as wind resistance and air density on that particular day caused our actual range to be less than the theoretical range as well.



Our colorful trebuchet loaded and ready to fire on competition day!