The first type of catapult is called a trebuchet. This kind of catapult consists of five main parts: a frame, a counterweight, a beam, a sling, and a guide chute. The frame supports the other parts that create a platform where you drop the counterweight. When you drop the counterweight, gravity pulls it down and rotates the beam while the beam pulls the sling. The guide chute guides the sling through the frame and supports the projectile until its acceleration can hold it in the sling. The sling progressively gets faster until it gets released, propelling the object through the air. The trebuchet was best used for launching projectiles over high distances. The angle in which you released it would be higher than the other types of catapults.
The second type of catapult is called an onager or a mangonel. The mangonel consists of an arm with a bowl-shaped bucket attached to the end that carries the object being launched. Upon release, the arm rotates at a high speed and throws the payload out of the bucket, towards the target. The launch angle is controlled by a crossbar where you pull it back to the angle you want to throw it at and then release. The mangonel was thrown at a horizontal angle and was best used for destroying walls. Even though the mangonel was not very energy proficient, people used it for the stronger work at short distances.
The last type of catapult is called the ballista. A ballista is a catapult that closely resembles a large crossbow. It uses a twisted rope as an energy source that produces and stores energy that it uses in order to propel the projectile through the air. This kind of catapult was used to throw darts, spears, and bolts of various sizes with a lot of force and accuracy.
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