Launching a Trebuchet

A stroboscopic image of a trebuchet launching a ball. The trebuchet uses the potential energy of a weight falling to project a yellow ball. A trebuchet is a type of catapult that was used as a siege engine in the Middle Ages. It is sometimes called a counterweight trebuchet or counterpoise trebuchet, to distinguish it from an earlier weapon called the traction trebuchet, which employed pulling men working the mechanism. The counterweight trebuchet appeared in both Christian and Muslim lands around the Mediterranean in the 12th century. It could fling projectiles weighing up to 350 pounds (160 kg) at or into enemy fortifications. Its use continued into the 15th century, well after the introduction of gunpowder.

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Filename: K14-trebuchet0127.jpg
Copyright: Ted Kinsman / Science Source Inc.
Image Size: 3840x4684 / 9.1MB; history historic historical machinery of war weapon weaponry war warfare trebuchet siege engine fling projectiles siege weapon weapon middle ages medieval physics strobe stroboscopic energy sling conservation conservation of energy projectile launch catapult siege engine
Contained in galleries: science

A stroboscopic image of a trebuchet launching a ball. The trebuchet uses the potential energy of a weight falling to project a yellow ball. A trebuchet is a type of catapult that was used as a siege engine in the Middle Ages. It is sometimes called a counterweight trebuchet or counterpoise trebuchet, to distinguish it from an earlier weapon called the traction trebuchet, which employed pulling men working the mechanism. The counterweight trebuchet appeared in both Christian and Muslim lands around the Mediterranean in the 12th century. It could fling projectiles weighing up to 350 pounds (160 kg) at or into enemy fortifications. Its use continued into the 15th century, well after the introduction of gunpowder.