Aerodynamics of a Catapult??? HELP!!!?

Question

I would really appreciate it if anyone could help me with and explanation of the aerodynamics of the catapult. I have a project and I have to creatively explain the aerodynamics, but I am not sure what they are. Please, if you are going to say "Do your own homework", just don't answer. You don't deserve the points. I would really thank anyone that would help me, and you could get ten points, so HELP ME!!!!

Answer 1

georgex is exactly correct about how aerodynamics come into play in this situation.

I would just add the observation that wind resistance is not a significant issue in the acceleration of the missile (and the acceleration of the various parts of the catapult). The acceleration occurs over a very short period of time, and the main resistance to accelerating the missile is the MASS that needs to be accelerated, not the wind resistance.

Once the missile has been released, it is travelling very fast (which means that the wind resistance will be very significant), and it will be travelling for a considerable period of time (which means that the wind resistance will be slowing it down for a relatively long time and a long distance). So wind resistance is much more important during this phase.

If you want to make your question more specific, you might get more specific responses.

Answer 2

As far as I can see, there are 2 stages to the catapult - 1) the release of the missile, when the energy stored in the catapult is converted into kinetic energy, and 2) when the missile leaves the catapult (with some velocity) and travels through the air. In both cases the air resistance will resist the motion of the missile. In the 1st part, the drag on the missile will oppose the force applied to it from the catapult, and therefore it won't reach as high a velocity as would do in a vacuum. In the second stage, the air drag will decelerate the missile and eventually stop it (if it doesn't hit something first). In both cases the air drag is proportional to the missile velocity squared.

Answer 3

The catapult isn't affected much by aerodynamics. It's basically a machine to convert some kind of potential energy into kinetic energy in the projectile.
The projectile, on the other hand, is quite sensitive to aerodynamics, as aero drag will reduce its range in proportion to the lack of streamlining of the projectile.

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