In science class we were assigned a project that will last the rest of the quarter. We have to build a tomato launcher that will be able to launch a tomato 25 yards. I am building a trebuchet with some plans I found on the internet. What kind of tomatoes will not explode when I fling them?
2007-01-04 11:35:00 · 4 answers · asked by Joey C 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Best bet: use fairly green Better Boys. They're pretty meaty when totally ripe and make for great sandwich slices, so they're a good candidate for surviving the initial acceleration a trebuchet will impart. Once it reaches the top end of the parabolic arc as the arm is triggered, its smooth sailing until it lands on the hood of Mrs. Rigby's car or the middle of a cheerleader practice and you get the living CR*P beat out of you for the big mess. The real trick is to guage the basic ripeness of your missle and use it after it turns more red than green, but before it becomes soft and sweet. BTW, this will probably limit you to somewhat smaller fruits (it IS technically a fruit rather than a vegetable), as the bigger ones are usually a bit too ripe for such an aerial mauling. Great, you not only have to be engineers, but junior horticulturalists as well, heh! Happy launchin'!
2007-01-04 11:54:04 · answer #1 · answered by gamerathon 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
More importantly, are there any differences in tomatoes that could affect their tolerance to the acceleration of a trebuchet?
What about size? ripeness? shape?
How about the way the tomato is bedded.
On a flat board? curved surface? soft material?
How could you diminish the acceleration without reducing the terminal speed?
2007-01-04 19:46:01 · answer #2 · answered by Ed 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nice firm just about ripe ones
they will be firmer than the real ripe ones
but green may be the firmest ( but make sure you can use green ones )
good luck I hope you win & chuck i the furtherest
2007-01-04 19:50:10 · answer #3 · answered by ausblue 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How about a spud gun and just freezing the tomatoes??
2007-01-04 20:18:46 · answer #4 · answered by baron_von_party 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋