What is a Trebuchet?
A trebuchet is an advanced catapult. It is made up of a frame, lever arm, counterweight, and a sling. Trebuchets have historically been used as seige engines, hurling large projectiles houndreds of yards at (or over) castle walls.
More information on Trebuchets at:
Mini-trebuchet.
This is a mini-trebuchet shown in the loaded and ready
to fire position. The lever arm is approximately 1 meter long
and the counterweight is 10 pounds. It utilizes a hinged type
counterweight, which allows the weights to drop in a realtively
straight line. This gives that model stability without the use
of wheels on the frame. If you have taken Physics 101 at SIUC, you have seen this model used in
a conservation of energy demonstration done in class.
Here the trebuchet is being loaded with a raquetball and the release string is being attached to the lever arm.
The firing sequence: Once released, the weight drops and causeses the arm and sling to move through an arc. This photo shows the ball just before it's release.
The ball is released!