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Mouse Trap Car |
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What is a Mouse Trap powered car and how does it work? A
mouse trap-powered racer is a vehicle that is powered by the energy of a wound-up mousetrap's spring. The
car works when one end of a string is tied to the arm on the mousetrap and the
other end is wound around an axle. By winding the string around the axle the
mousetrap's spring is stretched providing stored energy. As the mousetrap is
released it pulls the string off of the axle causing the wheels to turn and
making the car move There are many ways to build a mousetrap powered vehicle. The best way is to apply your knowledge of the laws of physics, finding a balance between all the parts and any variables that affect the mouse trap vehicles performance. There are many good designs that will work, you need to test your vehicle and make changes
to improve the performance of your mouse trap vehicle. Check out "The
Plan!!" for several websites on Mouse Trap Car plans. |
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The SCIENCE !! (From Dr. Fizzix) Mousetrap car and vehicle propulsion
Formulas V(velocity)
x T(time)=D(distance). |
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The PLAN !!
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The RULES !! Mouse Trap Car Distance Contest OBJECTIVE:
2. The
mousetrap can not be physically altered except for the following: 4
holes can be drilled only to mount the mousetrap to the frame and a
mousetrap's spring can be removed only to adjust the length of the its
lever arm. 3. The minimum number of wheels on the vehicle is 3; any more is acceptable. 4. The
device cannot have any additional potential or kinetic energy at the
start other than what can be stored in the mousetrap's spring itself.
(This also means that you cannot push start your vehicle.) 5. The
spring from the mousetrap cannot be altered or heat treated. 6. The
spring cannot be wound more than its normal travel distance or 180
degrees. 7.
Vehicles must be self-starting. Vehicles may not receive a push in the
forward direction or side direction. 8. The
vehicle must steer itself. Measurements of distance will not measure the
total distance traveled only the displacement distance. 9.
Distance will be measured from the front of the tape at the starting
line to the point of the vehicle that was closest to the start line at
the time of release. 10. The
instructor has the final decision as to the appropriateness of any
additional items that might be used in the construction of the racer. 11.Each contestant will be given TWO attempts. The winner will be that racer which has obtained the greatest distance on any one of the two attempts. Any ties will be decided by a single run off between the racers that tied.
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The GRADE !!
The following assessment criteria will be used to evaluate your project.
I. MOUSETRAP CAR CONSTRUCTION: 20%
10 points: Neat construction and assembly. Excellent attention to
detail.
8 points: Good construction and assembly and good attention to detail.
6 points: Car holds together, but looks like a last-minute project.
0 points: Poor construction and assembly. No attention to detail.
II. MOUSETRAP CAR DESIGN: 15%
10 points: Unique theme and original design. Excellent level of
creativity.
8 points: Interesting theme. Good level of creativity.
6 points: Basic theme. Basic level of creativity.
0 points: No detectable theme. No apparent creativity.
III. MOUSETRAP CAR PERFORMANCE: 20%
10 points: Travels 5 meters in a straight line. Final displacement is
8 points: Travels 3-5 m in a straight line. Final displacement is
between
6 points: Travels 2-3 m in a straight line. Final displacement is 5 m.
0 points: Final displacement is less than 5 m.
IV. MOUSETRAP CAR PHYSICS ANALYSIS: 40%
10 points: Demonstrates excellent conceptual understanding of the
physics principles behind a mousetrap car. Applies this understanding in
conducting an excellent, meaningful investigation.
8 points: Demonstrates good conceptual understanding of the physics
principles behind a mousetrap car. Applies this understanding in
conducting a good investigation.
6 points: Demonstrates minimal understanding of physics principles
behind a mousetrap car. Conducts a basic investigation.
0 points: Demonstrates poor conceptual understanding of the physics
principles behind a mousetrap car. Does not fully apply this
understanding in conducting a meaningful investigation.
V. MOUSETRAP CAR PROJECT Journal: 5%
10 points: Completes the project journal honestly and clearly.
8 points: Completes the project journal vaguely.
6 points: Partially completes the project journal.. 0 points: Does not complete the project journal.
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