Phil makes a simple slingshot

As Phil searches the shed for inspiration, Antoine asks him if he had studied physics in school. Phil replies that he did, but he’d failed.

As he strings a fitness resistance band around the coconut pole, he questions whether he himself could be considered a machine, as sometimes people refer to themselves or others as ‘machines’.

He then realises that the coconut does not actually have to be launched from its stand, and so he starts to disassemble his construction.

Phil runs the resistance band between the two bannisters of the nearby steps, to create a simple slingshot. He tests the trajectory of his creation by using a basketball, and then alters his slingshot by adding another band. He also finds a colander in the shed, and attaches it to his slingshot using zip ties.

Phil then makes his attempt and, while his slingshot is good, with a solid launch, he launches his coconut towards the astroturf area, where it rolls into one of the walls and is prematurely stopped.

Phil’s coconut travels 8 metres, and he earns third place.

(Written by Jenny R and proofread by Karl Craven)

(Illustrations collected by Jenny R and adjusted by David Fuller)