Literature Review of Slingshot Games and Its Potential Application in Learning Physics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58706/reog.v1n2.p49-58Keywords:
Slingshot games, Physics Learning, VOSviewer, Hooke’s Law, ElasticityAbstract
Traditional games are part of local wisdom that preserves cultural values and educational potential. One such game is the slingshot, which is not only known as a hunting tool but also incorporates many concepts of physics such as elasticity, potential energy, kinetic energy, and parabolic motion. This study aims to review the literature on slingshots and their relevance in physics education. Data were collected from Scopus-indexed international publications using the keywords “slingshot OR catapult,” yielding 3,013 articles. After applying inclusion criteria and screening based on title, abstract, and keywords, 1,000 articles were selected for analysis using VOSviewer. The results of the study show five main clusters, namely the use of slingshots in aircraft launch, biomechanics, principles in animals, animal experiments, and fundamental aspects of physics. These findings confirm that catapults can be used as a contextual medium in learning to improve understanding of physics concepts and at the same time preserve local culture. By linking indigenous knowledge with scientific principles, this study contributes to enriching physics learning while encouraging the preservation of cultural heritage within modern education.
References
Alexander, S.L.M. & Bhamala, M.S. (2020). Supplemental information: ultrafast launch of slingshot spiders using conical silk webs. Current Biology, 30(16), R928-R929. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.06.076.
Armaka, M., Konstantopoulos, D., Tzaferis, C., Lavigne, M.D., Sakkou, M., Liakos, A., Sfikakis, P.P., Dimopoulos, M.A., Fousteri, M., & Kollias, G. (2022). Single-cell multimodal analysis identifies common regulatory programs in synovial fibroblasts of rheumatoid arthritis patients and modeled tnf-driven arthritis. Genome Medicine, 14(1), 78. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13073-022-01081-3.
Aryani, H., Deta, U.A., & Saregar, A. (2024). Studi literatur: Integrasi ethnofisika perbedaan permainan tradisional dan permainan modern pada katapel. Seminar Nasional Pembelajaran Matematika, Sains dan Teknologi, 4(1), 128–133. Retrieved from: http://e-jurnal.fkip.unila.ac.id/index.php/SINAPMASAGI/article/view/797.
Aryani, H., Wilujeng, I.T.D., Nova, D.A.O., Suliyanah, S., & Hadi, W.P. (2025). Integrasi etnofisika dalam pembelajaran fisika SMA: Potensi permainan katapel sebagai media yang aman dan menyenangkan. Reog: Journal of Ecoethnoscience Education, 1(1), 9–16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58706/reog.v1n1.p9-16.
Aryannanda, I.P.G., dkk. (2022). Implementasi permainan tradisional mameong-meongan untuk meningkatkan hasil belajar. Jurnal Kejora, 7(2), 81–91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36526/kejaora.v7i2.2107.
Astuti, I.A.D., & Bhakti, Y.B. (2021). Analisis konsep fisika pada permainan tradisional gasing sebagai bahan ajar fisika. Navigasi Fisika: Jurnal Pendidikan Fisika, 3(2), 74–79. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30998/npjpe.v3i2.869.
Azzahro, S.F. (2022). Bibliometric mapping of islamic letter of credit using vosviewer. Journal of Islamic Economics Literatures, 3(2), 129. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58968/jiel.v3i2.129.
Bates, T., Gerig, J., Avitia, M., Waldvogel, G., Legesse, T., Washington, J., & Bhounsule, P.A. (2022). A high-speed launching mechanism inspired by a slingshot spider’s web. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 19, 440-447. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42235-022-00165-5.
Cahyani, S.R., Pratama, D.A., Mawaddah, A.Z., Mashitoh, N.D., & Deta, U.A. (2024). Analisis konsep fisika pada budaya kesenian kearifan lokal permainan gulat okol Surabaya. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Dan Pembelajaran, 3(1), 9–15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58706/jipp.v3n1.p9-15.
Deta, U.A., Arisanti, A., Hudha, M.N., Lestari, N.A., Admoko, S., Uulaa, R.F.R., Prahani, B.K., & Suprapto, N. (2024). Analisis konsep fisika pada permainan tradisional kekehan. Jurnal Internasional Penelitian dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat, 2(1), 24–34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58706/ijorce.v2n1.p24-34.
Dragoș, V. & Mih, V. (2015). Scientific literacy in school. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 209, 167–172. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.11.273.
Dunggio, S.S., Abdjul, T., Payu, C.S., Pikoli, M., Uloli, R., & Odja, A.H. (2024). Pengembangan media pembelajaran untuk aplikasi kuis katapel pada konsep energi dalam sistem kehidupan. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA , 10(10), 7914–7923. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i10.9031
Forge, J. (2013). The development of projectile weapons: ancient catapults. Designed to Kill: The Case Against Weapons Research. Research, 1, 39-57. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5736-3_3.
Howard, A.J., Britton, M., Streeter, Z.L., Cheng, C., Forbes, R., Reynolds, J.L., Allum, F., McCracken, G.A., Gabalski, I., Lucchese, R.R., McCurdy, C.W., Weinacht, T., & Bucksbaum, P.H. (2023). Filming enhanced ionization in an ultrafast triatomic slingshot. Communication Chemistry, 6(1), 81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-023-00882-w.
Inayah, L., Chairunnisa, Jaidi, M.F., & Malik, A. (2025). Analisis pengaruh konstanta pegas terhadap panjang pegas. Indonesian Journal of Science Learning (IJSL), 5(1), 3899. Retrieved from https://jurnalftk.uinsa.ac.id/index.php/IJSL/article/view/3899
Irawan, F.A., Setiawati, A.S., Permana, D.F.W., Aditya, L., Rahesti, N., Ghassani, D.S. (2024). Slingshot accuracy in traditional games: What is the ideal grip in shooting? Retos, 54, 554-560. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v54.102829.
Kumar, A., Jani, K., & Sahu, N.K. (2020). A comparative study of various artificial intelligence based agents for the game of angry birds with and without splitting. Journal of Physics Conference Series, 1694(1), 012001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1694/1/012001.
Lai, K., Laycock, J., Bates, A., & Hamann, J. (2022). Sino-orbital foreign body caused by a slingshot injury in a young boy. BMJ Case Report, 15(9), e251214. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2022-251214.
Laila, L., Wardi, L.Z., & Deta, U.A. (2025). Opportunities to implement traditional games as contextualized physics learning innovations. Reog: Journal of Ecoethnoscience Education, 1(1), 24–31. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58706/reog.v1n1.p24-31.
Lestari, S.A., Admoko, S., & Suprapto, N. (2022). Identifikasi konsep fisika pada kearifan lokal kayangan api di kabupaten Bojonegoro. JPF (Jurnal Pendidikan Fisika), 10(1), 103–113. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24127/jpf.v10i1.4707.
Lubis, R. R. & Gusman, M. (2022). Proses pembelajaran melalui interaksi edukatif dalam pendidikan islam. Al-Fikru: Jurnal Ilmiah, 16(1), 18–33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51672/alfikru.v16i1.86.
Melinia, S., Ismet, & Yusup, M. (2024). Development of physics module based on ethnoscience with the local wisdom of house limas palembang to improve thinking ability. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(11), 8319–8327. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i11.8654.
Naufal, M.A. & Asdar, A. (2022). Persepsi mahasiswa calon guru matematika terhadap produk steam katapel (slingshot) dalam penerapan pembelajaran matematika. Jurnal Eduscience (JES), 9(3), 880-891. Retrieved from: https://jurnal.ulb.ac.id/index.php/eduscience/article/view/3418/2836.
Noptario, N., Irawan, M.F., & Zakaria, A.R. (2024). Strengthening student resilience: Student-centered learning model in merdeka curriculum in elementary islamic school. MUDARRISA: Jurnal Kajian Pendidikan Islam, 16(1), 1–24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18326/mudarrisa.v16i1.575.
Nugraha, A.K., & Rochman, C. (2024). Mapping research trends in teaching and learning trajectories in science learning. Phenomenon: Jurnal Pendidikan MIPA, 14(1), 63–84. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21580/phen.2024.14.1.21216.
Nurkholifah, S. (2024). The role of al-quran literacy in deepening understanding of islamic religious education. AFKARINA: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 9(1), 47-60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33650/afkarina.v9i1.9357.
Rahesti, N. & Irawan, F.A. (2023). Analisis gerak permainan ketapel: pegangan dan akurasi tembakan. Journal of Physical Education Health and Sport Sciences, 3(1), 1–10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35508/jpehss.v1i1
Rahmawati, D. & Malik, A. (2023). Analisis pengaruh massa beban terhadap pertambahan panjang dan konstanta pegas. Jurnal Pendidikan Fisika Dan Sains (JPFS), 6(2), 100-107. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52188/jpfs.v6i2.450.
Rohmah, A.N., Agustinaningrum, N.A., Rohmah, N.L., Sabrina, N.M.N., Agustinur, S.C., Alemgadmi, K.I.K., & Deta, U.A. (2024). Analisis etnofisika permainan tradisional patil lele: mengungkap konsep fisika dalam kearifan lokal. Jurnal Internasional Penelitian dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat, 2(2), 40–47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58706/ijorce.v2n2.p40-47.
Rolina, R. & Linando, S.I. (2021). Perancangan film pendek tentang ketapel berjudul “Story of ketapel”. Titik Imaji, 4(2), 125-134. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30813/.v4i2.3312.
Saharani, E., Putri, A.D., Rahmawati, S., Machbub, A.D.Z., Rahmawati, N.S., & Setyawan, F.B. (2023). Peran tim ppk ormawa hmps pgsd dalam peningkatan kemampuan olahraga melalui pelatihan katapel di desa tepus gunungkidul. Center of Knowledge: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pengabdian Masyarakat, 3(2), 57-64. Retrieved from: https://pusdikra-publishing.com/index.php/jesst/article/download/1586/1411/4970
Shohag, M.A. (2023). Engaging students with gamification in online engineering graduate courses. 2023 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings, 37954. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--43318
Uibo, U. (2014). Etymological notes (XV). Keel ja Kirjandus, 57(12), 933-938. Retrieved from: https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=1085147.
Waruwu, E., Sinulingga, A.A., Sitepu, A.G., & Sugiyana, F.X. (2024). Project on strengthening the profile of pancasila students: Implementation, role of teachers, and student character. Jurnal Kependidikan: Jurnal Hasil Penelitian dan Kajian Kepustakaan Di Bidang Pendidikan, Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran, 10(1), 169–182. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33394/jk.v10i1.9946.
Yao, H. (2024). On the conditions for self-catapulting of freezing water droplets. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 188, 105685. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2024.105685.
Yefremov, A.P. (2023). Two slingshots may detect ultraweak features in the sun’s gravity. Gravitation and Cosmology, 29(2), 147-152. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0202289323020123.
Zhong, Z., Guo, Y., Wiegelmann, T., Ding, M.D., & Chen, Y. (2023). Unveiling the mechanism for the rapid acceleration phase in a solar eruption. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 947(1), L2. DOI: https://doi/.org/10.3847/2041-8213/acc6ce.
Downloads
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Heny Aryani, Nurita Apridiana Lestari, Budi Jatmiko, Alfi Nurlailiyah, Arie Realita, Antomi Saregar, Utama Alan Deta

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.


