Our mousetrap car wasn't very effective. The front wheel was dragging and the axles we found weren't lined up. Another problem was the string kept breaking. It did operate consistently, going about the same distance and then turning off to the side at about the same angle. The car itself does withstand repeated use but the string kept breaking so it wouldn't work. The car is made from existing materials but we had to do a few changes to them. Yes, it does meet all design requirements- not exceeding a meter or relying on any other source for power. All risks are minimized to the best of our ability. The mousetrap itself was easy to set and set off. But the string was a little complicated to wrap around the axle. Our vehicle did not travel in a straight line, it curving right after if started going. It only traveled about five meters as an average. It went about the same distance every time.
For changes we need to straighten the axles. To achieve a greater distance we are going to put larger wheels in the back and well as a different wheel in the front. The string we are going to use will be a lot stronger so it won't break as easily.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Physics on Spring Break
I never even thought it would happen but school was a part of my spring break, to be more specific, physics. The one activity that I enjoyed doing this spring break was going to the Winter Fair and watching an acrobatic performance. The way physics was a part of the show was first of all in the gravity that was constantly pulling acrobats down. Also friction was a part because the ropes they used had to be experiencing friction to hold them up. They were displaced from their origin, the ground and traveled up. When they came back down, they had a zero displacement. Physics is a huge part of our lives and I experienced it while watching the acrobatic show at the Winter Fair.
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