Catapults

A catapult is a mechanical device designed to launch a projectile over a distance without the use of explosives. Commonly associated with medieval warfare, catapults utilize potential energy stored in a flexible material or a weight to hurl objects like stones or flaming projectiles. They come in various designs, including the trebuchet and the torsion catapult, each operating on different principles of physics. Catapults were historically significant in sieges and battles, allowing armies to breach fortifications. Today, they serve educational purposes in physics demonstrations and engineering challenges, illustrating concepts of energy, force, and trajectory.