Mrs. Walker's Mousetrap Car Project
Mike's Award Winning Creation
Click the above link to see a winning mousetrap car!
The challenge is to build a car
that is
powered by the spring of a single mousetrap. Rattraps are not
allowed.
The car cannot be powered by CO2 cartridges, rubber bands,
elastic, or
anything other than the mousetrap sold to you (at cost) in class. This
will ensure that everyone starts on a level playing field if all are
using the same type of mousetrap. DO NOT alter the mousetrap spring by
adding additional turns. This will disqualify your car.
It is
suggested that you do not glue the trap on your car. If it breaks, you
will have to begin the project all over again. Fasten the trap on with
screws, bolts, twist ties, or string instead. The trap base is hard
wood, so you will have
to drill a hole first. Take notes in class on the day we brainstorm car
design!
We
have full confidence in your ability to ace this assignment. You will
have the opportunity to
view example cars in class, brainstorm car designs in class, watch last
years competition, consult with your teacher, and bring your car
in early to try it in the science hallway. The photos, video clips, and
links provided below are intended to encourage your own creativity and
success. They will also benefit students who were absent from class on
the day we discussed how to build.You
will
be graded as follows. We have been studying energy and translational
motion. Therefore, the potential energy of a mousetrap car is contained
in the spring. The energy must be changed from potential to kinetic
energy (or motion) in order for you to receive any points. It is not
enough simply to have built a car. Your car must move! Your grade is determined by having
followed the directions given you in class and in this rubric. Your car
must be original to you. You must have built it. You may not use a kit
purchased on-line or at a local hobby store to fulfill this assignment.
This will earn you an F. (Beware: I have photographs and videotape of
all former cars from other classes and other teachers. Trying to
pass off a car from
a prior year will earn you an F. I also have pictures of all available
kits.) Part of the assignment is having met the due date given by your
teacher. Building the car early will help you to avoid unforeseen
circumstances. This assignment is an application of what was learned
when studying energy. It's one of the really fun parts of this course!
So please enjoy it!
Mousetrap Car Grading Sheet Name:____________________
1. Distance the mousetrap car moved in meters: ___________
Less than or equal to 1.00 meter = 0 points
1.01 to 2.00 meters = 25 points
2.01 to 3.00 meters = 50 points
3.01 to 4.00 meters = 75 points
4.01 to 5.00 meters = 90 points
5.01 meters or more = 100 points Total Points_____
Longest distance in class 10 bonus points
Longest distance in all classes 20 points
Bonus Points______
2. Speed over five meters
Distance Trail 1________
Trial one
time______sec.
Speed_________m/s
Distance Trial 2________
Trial two
time______sec.
Speed_________m/s
Distance Trial 3________
Trial three
time_____sec.
Speed_________m/s
Fastest in class 10 point bonus.
Fastest in all classes 20 point bonus.
Bonus Points______
3.
Most
creative car
as voted by each class.
(15
points)
Bonus Points______
4.
Thirty
point (30)
limit for bonus points earned
by
any one individual. Subtract bonus points if necessary.
Deduct Points______
Total Points _______
If you
build a car from a commercialized kit you will be
assigned an "F". You are
expected to be creative and build a car from scratch for this project.
Do NOT
purchase a kit with pre-cut pieces from a hobby store or on-line. Use
all the
links and
information listed below. A little research goes a long way. Do not use
constructs, erector sets, or legos to build your entire car. You may
use one or
two pieces from the above mentioned sets, but you will need the
approval of
your teacher first. Do not use cars from 8th grade or ones that were
previously
graded in wood shop. Previous Boy Scout "Pinewood Derby" cars would
also
be unacceptable.
If you begin early, the project will not be difficult. Do not wait
until the
last minute. Start early! Test your car. You may want
to bring
it to school and take advantage of the long hallways for your
test run. If you do
not have a functioning car on the day they are due, you will earn a
zero. You will not be given time in class to fix a car that is not
working on the day that they are due.
This car is the one in
the video clip listed above.
Physics Scholar
from
Ontario Canada: "International Studies"
Some of the challenges you will
need to
overcome are gravity, friction, and weight distribution. The first
decision you
will need to make concerns your ultimate goal. Is it speed or distance?
Each
will require a different lever arm length and tires. It is best to
experiment
with several different lengths for your lever arm. When considering
speed,
think in terms of a small lightweight car with a short lever arm that
snaps
quickly. The mousetrap imparts the energy to the car quickly. Think
foam
or rubber tires. The car
travels
at a rather high speed and coasts to a stop. Make sure your car travels
the 5 meter minimum. This is harder to do when building a car for
speed. If distance is the goal, you may consider
extending the
length
of the lever arm. This slows the speed of the car, but allows the
axle to
be pulled for a longer period of time. Check the links below to
discover the
perfect lever arm length. Experiment with different types of string and
wheels. It
really does make a difference.
Listed below are a few of the links I discovered that include tips on how to build a mousetrap car. If you are unsure about a particular design, ASK your teacher! The links are not provided for you to copy someone else's car, but to stimulate your thinking.
http://www.docfizzix.com/mouse_trap_cars_tips.htm
You'll find
good tips
on Doc
Fizzix’s site
on how to correct problems that arise after you’ve finished your car.
His tips will
allow you to decide if you want to build a car with speed as your goal
or
distance. DO NOT BUY A CAR FROM THIS SITE. DOING SO WILL WIN YOU AN “F”
ON THE
PROJECT. Do not purchase one locally. Do use this site to problem
solve once you've built your car and need to tweak it.
http://www.mousetrapcar.com.au/
Here are some additional tips that will help you to understand how the car works and what to do to build one.
Actually, this car will not go very far. The design isn't as good as you might think. I've included it to show you that you can't believe everything that you read on the Internet. So rather than trust someone else with your grade, why don't you just give it some thought for yourself? You can do it! The one thing that I do like about this information though, is the fact that you don't have to spend a bundle to make a functioning car. You can use simple things that you already have around the house; for example the pen shaft as an axle.
http://cpphysics.homestead.com/mousetrapg.html
Many of the links on the above mentioned link
take you to
Doc’s website.
However,
there are some excellent photos of students with their finished cars.
You may
find some additional ideas here.
Remember, no
gears. You must
power your
car only with the mousetrap. But the idea is an interesting one worth
showing you. By the way, this link will not be visible from inside PHS.
It will be from home.
Pictures of cars displayed at Plainfield High School:
Consider wheel diameter carefully!
Spinners !
Do not use these!
Painted
immovable
wheels!
Mr. Chissus'
Mousetrap Car (front)
A car built
entirely from
constructs, legos,
or erector set pieces is unacceptable. You may use select pieces.
It's best to ask your teacher.
Creativity
can earn you extra
credit points!
Mrs.
Walker's
Car 1st
Car
Einstein would be proud!
An art scholar's car!
Just for grins: Mrs. Walker's 2nd Mousetrap Car. Beat my best run of
32.85 meters!
10
points extra credit if you can!
View
Mrs.
Walker's car here
Link To Mrs. Walker's Home Page
Page Created by Nicole J. Walker
Last Updated 20 January 2010
