This project was based on creating a new car design that uses an energy source that is not gasoline or electric. Our design uses spring energy on a rat trap. Because spring energy is completely renewable, this is a great power source. Spring energy is also entirely clean, meaning it doesn't release any emmisions.
Physics Concepts
- Spring Constant: The spring constant is how hard it is to expand or compress a spring. To calculate this, we used the equation F=kd, with k being the spring constant. This was useful in finding the potential energy of the spring
- Spring Potential Energy: As a spring is expanded or compressed, it stores energy to transfer to kinetic. The potential energy comes from the pulling back of the rat trap. To find this, we used the formula, PEspring= 1/2kx^2. In this equation x equals the distance the spring is compressed or expanded. We used this to find how much energy the car was transferring to kinetic and how much was transferring to thermal. The amount transferring to kinetic is called the efficiency of the vehicle.
- Thermal Energy: Thermal energy is heat energy. We used this to find how much energy was lost to heat from our spring.
- Velocity: Velocity is the speed and direction of an object. We used this to see how fast our car went, and where it accellerated
Reflection
Our team was successful in the presentation of our car. When we presented the car to the class, we were prepared, and could explain every component of the design with accurate details. Our team also did well in making sure very member was being productive in the time we had. We did not have many negatives in our group. One may be that we did not prioritize our tasks in the beginning. We really worked too long on the aesthetics, instead of focusing on the distance of the vehicle. Another pit is that our group was not flexible when it came to limited materials and resources. We spent too long looking for the right diameter of our axis, instead of using what we had. I personally believe that I showed more leadership during this project then previous ones. I was making sure every thing was accurate and that our design really worked. Another thing I learned is that I can really help the group more by doing more planing then previously. It helps to go in with a plan, but still be flexible with changes. All in all, our design turned out to be a major success.