In this project our job was to create a car that traveled exactly 5 meters carrying 250 grams. This car had to be powered without using chemical or nuclear energy (like we could get any). Given these guidelines my group decided to use spring energy. Spring energy is energy created by rubber bands and springs. We took a wooden platform, attached two axles for wheels and a long pole perpendicular to the board for the rubber bands. We then drilled screws into the axles and the pole for a place for the rubber bands to attach. We then could easily twist the axles to create tension in the rubber bands. When we released the axle the rubber bands made the wheels spin making our car move forward.
CONTENT:
Potential Spring Energy:
Potential Spring Energy is energy stored by compression or expansion of a spring. The formula is potential spring energy is one half x the spring constant x the distance moved by the spring squared. The unit of measurement for Potential Spring Energy is Joules. The abbreviation for Joules is a capital J. In our project we found the potential spring energy of the two rubber bands that powered our car.
Spring Constant:
The spring constant is the measure on how easily a spring is compressed and expanded. To find the spring constant you divide the force exerted by the distance moved. The unit of measurement for the spring constant is newtons per meter. I found the spring constant to find the potential spring energy in our project.
Kinetic Energy:
Kinetic Energy is energy due to motion of any kind. To find Kinetic Energy you have to multiply the mass and velocity squared. Once you get that answer you have to half it to get your final answer in Joules. We found the kinetic energy of our car moving on the track. The car starts with zero joules of energy and ends with zero joules of energy. The car only have joules of kinetic energy when it is moving.
Thermal Energy:
Thermal energy is the energy that comes from heat. This heat is generated by the movement of tiny particles within an object. The faster these particles move, the more heat is generated. In our project over time all of our energy was lost to thermal energy. Meaning our car will slow down ever so slightly because of thermal energy.
CONTENT:
Potential Spring Energy:
Potential Spring Energy is energy stored by compression or expansion of a spring. The formula is potential spring energy is one half x the spring constant x the distance moved by the spring squared. The unit of measurement for Potential Spring Energy is Joules. The abbreviation for Joules is a capital J. In our project we found the potential spring energy of the two rubber bands that powered our car.
Spring Constant:
The spring constant is the measure on how easily a spring is compressed and expanded. To find the spring constant you divide the force exerted by the distance moved. The unit of measurement for the spring constant is newtons per meter. I found the spring constant to find the potential spring energy in our project.
Kinetic Energy:
Kinetic Energy is energy due to motion of any kind. To find Kinetic Energy you have to multiply the mass and velocity squared. Once you get that answer you have to half it to get your final answer in Joules. We found the kinetic energy of our car moving on the track. The car starts with zero joules of energy and ends with zero joules of energy. The car only have joules of kinetic energy when it is moving.
Thermal Energy:
Thermal energy is the energy that comes from heat. This heat is generated by the movement of tiny particles within an object. The faster these particles move, the more heat is generated. In our project over time all of our energy was lost to thermal energy. Meaning our car will slow down ever so slightly because of thermal energy.
Energy vs. Time (Total Energy Graph)
This graph shows what happens to the Energy over time. The potential energy starts high because the rubber bands are coiled up. The kinetic energy start low beaus the car has to start moving before kinetic energy can be created. Once the car moves however the kinetic energy jumps up because the rubber bands have uncoiled. The thermal energy spikes quickly and slowly rises until it hits the total energy bar because the car started to move. This created friction which evidentially created thermal energy.
This graph shows what happens to the Energy over time. The potential energy starts high because the rubber bands are coiled up. The kinetic energy start low beaus the car has to start moving before kinetic energy can be created. Once the car moves however the kinetic energy jumps up because the rubber bands have uncoiled. The thermal energy spikes quickly and slowly rises until it hits the total energy bar because the car started to move. This created friction which evidentially created thermal energy.
Velocity vs. Time Graph
This graph show the velocity of our car at every second.
Reflection:
I think this project went over very well. I liked how we really had to research car designs to get an idea of what to do. Two peaks that my group had were working together and perseverance. Working together was a peak because we were able to get our work done in a timely fashion. For example, when we were creating our car we had everyone doing something all the time, wether it be sanding, drilling, or drawing a schematic. Our other peak was perseverance. This was a peak because when we were faced with a problem we were able to fix it. One problem we faced was making our car go exactly 5 meters. The only way to fix this was being very patient and trial and error.
The two pits my group had was staying on task and avoiding our phones. Staying on task was a pit because when we were experimenting with the distance only one person was needed at a time. We fixed this problem by timing the trials and filming so people would have something to do. Being on our phones was another pit because it distracted our group. Times we would be in depth with something then someone would check their phone which put the whole group off kilter. We minimized phone distraction by making sure they were silent and face down (so you couldn't see a notification) or in a pocket. In the end, I think my group worked great together and I can't wait to conquer the next project.
This graph show the velocity of our car at every second.
Reflection:
I think this project went over very well. I liked how we really had to research car designs to get an idea of what to do. Two peaks that my group had were working together and perseverance. Working together was a peak because we were able to get our work done in a timely fashion. For example, when we were creating our car we had everyone doing something all the time, wether it be sanding, drilling, or drawing a schematic. Our other peak was perseverance. This was a peak because when we were faced with a problem we were able to fix it. One problem we faced was making our car go exactly 5 meters. The only way to fix this was being very patient and trial and error.
The two pits my group had was staying on task and avoiding our phones. Staying on task was a pit because when we were experimenting with the distance only one person was needed at a time. We fixed this problem by timing the trials and filming so people would have something to do. Being on our phones was another pit because it distracted our group. Times we would be in depth with something then someone would check their phone which put the whole group off kilter. We minimized phone distraction by making sure they were silent and face down (so you couldn't see a notification) or in a pocket. In the end, I think my group worked great together and I can't wait to conquer the next project.