Theoretical Range and Competition Day

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 us from achieving the performance suggested by the theoretical range:

1. Release Angle: The release angle of our trebuchet although close to 45 degrees, was not precisely 45 degrees. As a result our distance was not totally optimized by the design of our trebuchet.

2. Air resistance: Air resistance is completely ignored within the theoretical range of the trebuchet. Air resistance however had enormous effects on the flight of our tennis ball.Air resistance opposed the motion of the ball while in flight.

3. Release Mechanism Issues: Our pouch and release mechanism was not perfected. As a result the theoretical range of the trebuchet was not realized due to issues with release point and mechanism. The pouch was not perfected. There were issues with the ball being release at exactly the right point in time.

4. Friction: There was friction that existed between the mechanical parts of the trebuchet. These values were ignored in the calculations of the range. The friction would have hindered the results of the trebuchet.

5. Air resistance of the tennis ball: A tennis ball was not the ideal object to be thrown by a trebuchet. The textured edges of the tennis ball created excess air resistance between the tennis ball fuzz and the air.

Our trebuchet loaded and ready to go for the distance competition on competition day!