Before launch, the trebuchet arm has Potential Energy (PE). After the trebuchet arm is released, it has Kinetic Energy(KE), and the arm and trebuchet continue to have Kinetic Energy even after the water balloon has been released. The water balloon has Kinetic Energy as soon as the arm starts moving, and continues to have Kinetic Energy all the way through its flight until it hits the ground. Because Kinetic Energy's equation is KE=0.5m(v)^2, an increase of the velocity would increase the Kinetic Energy, and increase the range. The velocity can be increased by increasing the length of the arm and sling. The range can also be increased by adding more weight, because with a larger weight, the arm will have a greater Potential Energy, and because of the Law of Conservation of Energy, the arm will also have a greater Kinetic Energy, which leads to a greater range.
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