Studying the Physics of the Sling by Automating the Shooting

Abstract

The sling is a tool that has accompanied humanity since prehistoric times. It consists of a rope with a handle at one end and a cradle in the middle for a stone, clay or metal projectile. It is used in hunting, herding, and it was of great importance in ancient wars, since a skilled shooter can reach targets more than hundred meters away. The majority of works on the topic are of an archaeological nature, probably due to the complexity of modeling the process of shooting. In this work, we present a systematic study comparing manual and automated shootings to understand the physics of this amazing tool with the goal of being easily replicated and expanded by physics students.