CWatters said:What Simon said.
To solve some systems you have to draw multiple FBDs (typically one per component part). Write equations for each and then solve a set of simultaneous equations.
I found an analysis here..
http://www.real-world-physics-problems.com/trebuchet-physics.html
Note that it contains a lot of diagrams and not all are Free Body Diagrams. Typically they have "schematics" showing a few parts and how they are interconnected (definitions of angles etc) then they draw a "free body diagram" for the just the part they are analysing.
Since this is for your schoolwork project, how about you show some effort and make some sketches showing how a trebuchet works?Physics Student 1 said:That to me is very hard to understand... Do you or anyone else know the basic forces that act on a trebuchet and in which direction in the system? i.e. force of gravity, force of friction, force of air resistance etc. I just need a simplistic (but not too simplistic) version to show to my class for a presentation.
berkeman said:Since this is for your schoolwork project, how about you show some effort and make some sketches showing how a trebuchet works?
Whelp, here at the PF, we help students learn how to learn. Maybe let your instructor hear that phrase -- might be good for them to think about it some.Physics Student 1 said:The teacher encouraged that we go to forums for help. I did attempt at free body diagrams for the trebuchet and every time I tried my teacher said I was wrong. He also said it was very complicated, past my grade level. His words were that the internet is a valuable resource and I should use it to find and learn about the free body diagram of a trebuchet. I just simply wanted to see one I could understand and explain to my class.
Physics Student 1 said:The teacher encouraged that we go to forums for help. I did attempt at free body diagrams for the trebuchet and every time I tried my teacher said I was wrong. He also said it was very complicated, past my grade level. His words were that the internet is a valuable resource and I should use it to find and learn about the free body diagram of a trebuchet. I just simply wanted to see one I could understand and explain to my class.
A Free Body Diagram is a visual representation of the forces acting on an object. It shows all the external forces acting on the object and their direction, without including any internal forces.
A trebuchet is a medieval siege weapon that was used to launch large projectiles, such as rocks or fireballs, at enemy fortifications. It works by using a counterweight to provide the necessary force to launch the projectile.
The forces acting on a Trebuchet include the weight of the counterweight, the tension in the sling, the force of friction, and the force of air resistance. The direction of these forces can vary depending on the position of the trebuchet and the projectile being launched.
The Free Body Diagram of a Trebuchet would show the weight of the counterweight acting downward, the tension in the sling acting upward, the force of friction acting in the opposite direction of the projectile's motion, and the force of air resistance acting opposite to the projectile's motion. The diagram would also include the pivot point of the trebuchet and the projectile being launched.
Understanding the Free Body Diagram of a Trebuchet is important for analyzing the forces involved in its operation. This can help in designing and optimizing the trebuchet for maximum efficiency and accuracy. It also allows for a better understanding of the physics principles behind the trebuchet's operation.