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This week we are really busy...but, we took a few moments yesterday to make a mouse trap catapult to shoot marshmallows around my yard since I don’t have enough messes to pick up. It was super easy to make, once I agreed to it, and the kids have had a lot of fun playing with it and trying to shoot marshmallows into each other’s mouths from across the garden! Below is the step by step, using a mousetrap, a plastic spoon, duck tape, and an eraser (used to stop the force of the spring). |
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I found out how to build this on THIS SITE, and in searching found other cool Mousetrap Physics things that could be built too! We’d like to try these in the future! |
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Marshmallow |
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What's Happening? Newton's first law of motion states that objects in motion tend to remain in motion, unless acted on by an outside force. When you released the catapult, both the lever arm and the "ammunition" moved forward with energy from the spring. When the lever arm hit the erasers, it came to a sudden stop. The marshmallow, however, remained in motion until it hit something else or until the force of gravity overcame its motion and brought it to the ground. The same principle applies to driving in a car - both you and the car are moving together, but if the car comes to a sudden stop (as in a collision), your body will keep moving forward. This is why you should always wear a seatbelt! |