Dynamics Project

Report
INCLINED SLINGSHOT MECHANISM

NG ZHONG TAH 25373889
TAN SIN LOONG 25249983
TIONG YEE HANG 25374230
EDWIN JESU DASS 25373404
Introduction
As part of our project, we are required to build a structure/mechanism that is to hit a target at
a distance of 10 meters with a height of 1.5 meters by using a squash ball which would be the
body in motion. In conjunction to that, by using our combined knowledge as a team, we came
up with the idea of designing and building a large scale slingshot which uses the following
materials as our main components:
a) PVC pipe
b) Rubber bands
c) Pulleys
d) Bottle cover
e) Plywood
The model that we have built employs multiple physics concepts which are:
a) Elastic potential energy
b) Principle of conservation of energy
c) Projectile motion
Elastic potential energy
Elastic potential energy is the primary source of energy that initiates the motion of the squash
ball moving forward. It is calculated using the formula k

. The elastic constant of the

rubber band and its extension has to be determined.
Elastic constant (k, N/m)
The elastic constant is calculated by attaching several weights on the band and plotting the
extensions obtained on a graph of Weight against Extension. The gradient of the graph is the
approximate value of k.
Mass, kg Extension, m Weight, N
0.25 0.005 2.5
0.3125 0.013 3.125
0.4375 0.02 4.375
0.46875 0.03 4.6875
0.5625 0.045 5.625
0.625 0.05 6.25
0.75 0.06 7.5
0.8435 0.075 8.435






y = 126.57x
R = 0.6266
0
2
4
6
8
10
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08
W
e
i
g
h
t
,

N

Extension, m
Weight, N
Linear (Weight, N)
k = 126.57 N/m
Table 1: Table of weight against extension
Figure 1: Graph of weight against extension
Extension of rubber band, x
Initial length of band : 0.364m
Final length of band : 0.451m
Extension, x : 0.087m

Elastic potential energy
= k

= 0.479J
Principle of conservation of energy
As elastic potential energy initiates the motion of the of the squash ball, elastic potential
energy is converted into kinetic energy.
k

= m

The velocity at which the squash ball moves can be derived from this equation.
u = 6.32m/s
The velocity has to be resolved to its horizontal component to obtain velocity of the ball
moving forward as the elastic bands are placed at an angle.

= u

= 6.31m/s
Since, there is one band on each side, the combined velocity would be 2

. Thus, u =
12.62m/s
3cm
4
5
c
m

3
.
8
1

Figure 2: Free body diagram of squash ball before launch
Projectile motion
The effects of the slingshot can be simulated by calculation.
Consider Horizontal motion, (
release angle
= 30 degrees)
u
x
= 12.62 cos 30, s
x
= 10m, a
x
= 0

()()




Consider Vertical motion, (
release angle
= 30 degrees)
u
x
= 12.62 sin 30, a
y
= -9.81

, t = 0.915 s

( )() ()()(

At t = 0.915 s











10 m
1.67m
1m
30
Figure 3: Projectile motion of squash ball upon launching
Assumptions
1) No air drag ( Air resistance slows down the projectile of the squash ball)
2) Elastic constant of rubber band is linear ( Changes with a function of force)
3) Rigidly fastened to the table ( There is some recoil movement)
4) No friction between grooves of PVC pipe and rubber band ( Some friction is involved
as the grooves are rough)