Marshmallow Catapult Shooter

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

Equipment: paper cup, scissors, balloon, marshmallow

Method: 

1. Cut out the bottom of the cup.
2. Cut off the neck of the balloon
3. Stretch the open end of the balloon over the bottom of the cup
4. Place marshmallow in cup
5. Pull balloon to fire marshmallow

Results:

Discussion:

Forces acting on the Marshmallow

When the marshmallow was in the cup all the forces (thrust, friction, gravity and support) were even as it wasn't moving. Drag was used when pulling the balloon back just before it left the cup. As soon as the marshmallow left the cup thrust was the dominant force acting on the marshmallow, gravity quickly takes over when the marshmallow comes back to the ground.

Conclusion

Did it work?

The experiment worked and it was cool to see all these mini marshmallows flying all over the class room

Would You Change anything?

I think I would change how we shoot the marshmallows and cut the end off the balloon and tie the neck, that way we have something to hold onto when we pull the balloon back