(to show Like poles repel, unlime poles attract)
Secondly, induced magnetism is the phenomenon whereby a magnetic substance is magnetized by a magnetic field. Thus when magnetized, it always results in 2 poles and leads to attraction. Thus it is very important as the theory of magnetism is needed to understand how magnets work.
Arrows represent magnetic domain
In magnetic substances, atoms behave like tiny atomic magnets. With a group of atomic magnets pointing in the same direction, all domains are aligned in the same direction. In an unmagnetized magnetic material, the domains point in random directions. Thus, in a magnet, we can imagine little “compasses” pointing in the same direction.
Limitations
As with all mechanical toys, and also as it is handmade, there are certain flaws and errors in our construction of the toy. Improperly fitted parts or loose parts can affect the efficiency of our catapult and one of the biggest areas of energy loss in a catapult is the pivot points, which we tied the chopsticks together with pieces of string.
Ff represents Friction, in the example of a force pushing a box, which opposes motion.
It is evident there will be friction (the force opposing motion) at the pivot points.
(Joel can you add in a picture of the pivots to show the string and the chopstick – pivot point)
Hence we made sure that the parts are able to move freely without being too tight, to reduce the amount of friction. With too much friction, it may cause our toy to be less efficient, reducing the distance of the object being catapulted out. Excess friction means energy loss thus we had to make sure the pivot point of the throwing arm moves freely without binding.
Energy and Force
- Law of conservation of energy
The Law of Conservation of Energy is a law of physics. It states that the total amount of energy in an isolated system remains constant and is conserved over time. This law means that energy can change its location within the system, and that it can change form within the system, for example potential energy can become kinetic energy, but that energy can be neither created nor destroyed.
In this case of the catapult, the kinetic energy is said to be equal to the potential energy. The potential energy is stored, then when the catapult is released, potential energy will change to kinetic energy which then allows the catapult to work and fling the object. This all happens without any change in amount of energy theoretically as we seek to exclude other types of energy which may and will be produced while operating the catapult, for example, sound and heat energy. With this catapult, we show that The Law of Conservation of Energy is true theoretically.