what are the physics equations involved with catapults?

The bead accelerates along the centre line under the resultant force of tensions from each side of the extended bang. The resultant force is decreasing as the bang is released (the angle between the bang and the centre line also changes, also causing the resultant force to be different). So, it is not easy to use F=ma to calculate the final velocity of the bead. A better method is by conservation of energy. The gain in kinetic energy of the bead = the inital potential energy of the extended bang - energy converted to internal energy (ie heat or permanent deformation) after the bang is released. Hope this help!

A catapult shops potential as elastic stress interior the ropes. i think the arm is a lever (damaging mechanical benefit). Converts a great stress over a small distance right into a smaller stress over a great one. A trebuchet (that's cooler and greater effectual than a catapult) works fantastically a lot the comparable yet makes use of gravitational skill (dropping a weight) quite than elastic skill (unraveling the skeins of rope) to toss the projectile. Then after the throw, you have the entire projectile action in a gravitational container element occurring. a great number of physics in touch at each step.