Utama Alan Deta, Heny Aryani, Rahma Diani, Binar Kurnia Prahani, Nadi Suprapto
Indonesia's diverse cultural wealth is a legacy of our ancestors that reflects the values of local wisdom. One example of local wisdom is traditional games such as catapults, which are now rarely played along with the development of the times. This study aims to analyze the physics concept of catapult games, focusing on Hooke's Law and elastic motion. The method is through experiments that control air conditions, rubber or constant rubber, and launch angles. In this experiment, the size of the projectile in the form of small stones is manipulated by involving variations in the pulling force on the catapult so that the projectile's throwing distance, travel time, and target accuracy achieved are responded to. The study results showed that the increase in pulling force is directly proportional to the throwing distance, although accuracy does not always increase with increasing throwing distance. The mass of the stone is inversely proportional to travel time. This is due to the influence of gravity and air resistance acting on the projectile when launched. A significant relationship between launch angle, distance, and accuracy can be utilized in physics learning at the upper secondary level. Catapult games have great potential as a fun medium in understanding physics concepts using the local wisdom approach. © 2026 Author(s)
Doctoral Program of Science Education, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia; Undergraduate Program of Physics Education, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia; Undergraduate Program of Physics Education, UIN Raden Intan Lampung, Bandar Lampung, Indonesia
