human
How can I tell the difference between a slingshot and a catapult?
assistant
A slingshot is typically made of a long, flexible material such as leather or rubber. It has two ends that are held together by a string or other elastic material. The object to be launched is placed on one end of the slingshot and then pulled back until it reaches its maximum potential energy. When released, the projectile is propelled forward due to the force created from the elastic material. A catapult uses a similar principle but with a more rigid structure than a slingshot. The object to be launched is placed inside a tube-like structure and then pulled back using a rope or elastic band. As the object is released, the tension in the elastic material causes the object to be thrown forward at high speed.