Requirement
Our task for this project was to design a car that could travel and stop at exactly 5 meters, while using an alternative energy source as power.
Restrictions
We had to use an alternative energy source to power our car (no gasoline, electricity, etc.). Also, we had to run our car on the classroom floor and we could not make any modifications. Lastly, we had to carry 250g worth of weight on our car.
Design of the Car
We used a thin peice of wood as the body of the car and two wooden axles at either end of the body. Our car was powered by a rubber band (three ruber bands tied together) that was attached to the front of the body and then we attached it to the back axle Then we wrapped the ruber band around the axle 10 times. Then we would let go and the rubber band and the axle would spin, also spinning the wheels.
Formulas
The first equation that we used was V=d/t, (velocity= distance divided by time). The next equation we used was spring PE (potential energy).
Our task for this project was to design a car that could travel and stop at exactly 5 meters, while using an alternative energy source as power.
Restrictions
We had to use an alternative energy source to power our car (no gasoline, electricity, etc.). Also, we had to run our car on the classroom floor and we could not make any modifications. Lastly, we had to carry 250g worth of weight on our car.
Design of the Car
We used a thin peice of wood as the body of the car and two wooden axles at either end of the body. Our car was powered by a rubber band (three ruber bands tied together) that was attached to the front of the body and then we attached it to the back axle Then we wrapped the ruber band around the axle 10 times. Then we would let go and the rubber band and the axle would spin, also spinning the wheels.
Formulas
The first equation that we used was V=d/t, (velocity= distance divided by time). The next equation we used was spring PE (potential energy).
Reflection: In this project, I learned that it is very difficult to design a car that has a specific distance that it needs to stop at. This was troubling to me because without brakes, it is very difficult to predict exactly how far the car will go. Also, the car will go a different distance each time because of fricton and the wear on the rubber bands.I also learned that in future projects, I should use my time on calculations and the presentation more than the project. My group and I spent way too much time on the building portion and not enough on the presentation.