Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello,
Im doing a research project on catapults and im having a very hard time finding information regarding their "impact on society at the time" and how they relate to other science and engineering disciplines. Could someone please help me by telling me in detail or directing me to specific and helpful links? Thank you!

Heenashar,
I suggest, if you haven't already, conducting a search on 'trebuchet', a specific type of catapult.
Prior to the development and wide use of gunpowder-based weaponry, circa 12th and 13th
centuries, trebuchets were fearsome battlefield weapons developed by several different
societies. Their best use appears to be against fixed targets, i.e. walled cities and fortifications,
that were resistant to other forms of combat at the time. One cite, and you should be able to
find more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trebuchet

Peter Young

Three main advantages of the catapult versus other available weaponry at the time:

1. Accuracy/ Repeatability – More precise and repeatable than other weapons at the time allowing to hit a target many times in a row and eventually destroying larger/stronger obstacles.
2. Range – Ability to launch projectiles over a large distance.
3. Efficiency –Amount of stored energy of the counterweight versus projectile energy.

Here is a thorough catapult site: http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/war/Catapults.htm

Heenashar, you might want to try researching the evolution of castles and fortifications. Their design was often influenced by the weaponry used against them.