Which weapon is a type of catapult that uses gravity or traction to throw an object?

Which weapon is a type of catapult that uses gravity or traction to throw an object?

• A. Siege
• B. Gunpowder
• C. Trebuchet
• D. Caravel

Answer: (C)

This is about a throwing engine that relies on gravity or human effort to launch a projectile, which is the trebuchet. A trebuchet is a type of catapult where energy comes from either a heavy counterweight (gravity-powered) or from people pulling on ropes to turn the throwing arm (traction-powered). In the gravity-powered version, the counterweight drops, the long arm swings upward, and the projectile—held in a sling—gets hurled at high speed toward a target. In the traction version, teams pull the ropes to rotate the arm and release the projectile. This design was a staple of medieval siege warfare because it could fling large stones or other missiles over walls with considerable range and force. Other options don’t fit: a general term for warfare under siege isn’t a single weapon, gunpowder refers to explosive propellants rather than a throwing engine, and a caravel is a ship.

This is about a throwing engine that relies on gravity or human effort to launch a projectile, which is the trebuchet. A trebuchet is a type of catapult where energy comes from either a heavy counterweight (gravity-powered) or from people pulling on ropes to turn the throwing arm (traction-powered). In the gravity-powered version, the counterweight drops, the long arm swings upward, and the projectile—held in a sling—gets hurled at high speed toward a target. In the traction version, teams pull the ropes to rotate the arm and release the projectile. This design was a staple of medieval siege warfare because it could fling large stones or other missiles over walls with considerable range and force. Other options don’t fit: a general term for warfare under siege isn’t a single weapon, gunpowder refers to explosive propellants rather than a throwing engine, and a caravel is a ship.