Trebuchets

Words cannot describe how much we love catapults. Some work because of the springiness of the wood (its elasticity) and some rely on its strength. The awesome trebuchet is in the second category.

Trebuchets work as huge levers. The short arm of the lever has a large counterweight on it and the longer arm has the projectile - which weighs a lot less. The potential energy of the counterweight is turned into kinetic energy of the small projectile. It's all in the physics - the bread and butter for engineers.

Warwick Castle has the world's largest. Check out their website with loads of historical facts and a flash game you can play.

If you're looking for a woodwork project why not try building your own mini trebuchet ...like these kids did. The cola bottle is so cool! (8 minutes in)

Be safe though...not like the 'eccentric' guy in the third video!