Marshmallow Catapult Shooter

Aim - To make a marshmallow shooter and work out what forces are acting on it

Equipment -
- Plastic Cup

- Scissors

- Balloon

- Marshmallows

Method

- Cut out the bottom of the cup

- Cut off the neck of the balloon

- Stretch the open end of the balloon over the bottom of the cup

- Place marshmallows in the cup

- Pull balloon back to fire marshmallows

- Results -

Discussion -

When the Marshmallows were in the catapult all forces were used to keep the marshmallow from moving out of the cup on its own. As we set up for the catapult to shoot the forces used the most were drag/friction as we were setting it up to let it go so friction would make it go further. As the marshmallow left the cup the forces that were greater were thrust as the marshmallow flew out of the cup without having to have any stops. When the Marshmallows were falling to the ground the two forces that were greater than the others were gravity and support as the marshmallows were falling down to stop it from going any further. 

Conclusion -

The marshmallow catapult worked really well as the marshmallow was able to be shot out and it was also able to hit some people. If I could change anything it would be to tape the balloon onto the cup and also use plastic cups instead of a styrofoam cup as the styrofoam cup started breaking from the balloon.