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← HistoryWhich effect limited the range of Roman torsion-powered siege engines, like ballistae, when targeting fortified walls?
A)Atmospheric drag affecting projectile trajectory✓
B)Elastic hysteresis reducing torsion efficiency
C)Brittle fracture of ropes under tension
D)Inertial forces dampening the release energy
💡 Explanation
When ballistae launched projectiles, atmospheric drag occurred because the projectile encountered air resistance, slowing it down and limiting its range. Therefore, atmospheric drag limited range, rather than hysteresis, fracture or inertia which require different material properties or mechanisms within the engine itself.
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