For this project our task was to build a car using an alternative energy source. The car had to travel as close to 5 meters as possible and stop, while carrying a load of at least 250 grams. We also had to make a 3-5 minute presentation displaying the amazing features and perks of our car. Our car, The Narwal Supersport, could travel exactly 5 meters in 6 seconds. This means our car had an average speed of almost 2 mph. My group decided to use a spring as our cars powertrain.
Concepts We Used:
Spring Potential Energy- Energy stored in a spring or elastic by pulling or pushing it. We calculated the spring potential energy for the spring powering the car. It is calculated by PEe=1/2kx^2. x=distance moved by spring.
Spring Constant - A measure of how much a spring wants to pull back together or the rigidity of the spring. It is calculated by k=F/d. If it is easy to move, it would have a low spring constant, and if it were hard to move, it would have a high spring constant.
Thermal Energy - Energy created by heat, usually because of friction. It is calculated by: total energy - KE - PE. On our performance graph, Our car started off with little thermal energy, but gained more as the car went farther, because it lost more and more potential and kinetic energy.
Kinetic Energy - Energy that something possesses by being in motion. It is calculated by using the equation: KE=1/2mv^2. Our cars kinetic energy rose until it hit its top speed, then it slowly decreased until it stopped.
Reflection
During this project I learned how important it is to not miss school because I missed 2 days during this project. When I came back, my group had gotten a lot done, but I had no idea what I was going to say when we presented our car to the class. I soon found out what I was saying and everything went smoothly from there on. I also found out that it is important to have another plan because our original car was going to be powered by a CO2 cartridge, but that obviously didn't happen.
I really enjoyed doing this project because I love cars and like to know how they work. I believe I did a great job helping construct the car and practice testing it. I also brought the lego wheels from home that we used on the front and part of the back of the car. Overall this project was a huge success and was a lot of fun.
Spring Potential Energy- Energy stored in a spring or elastic by pulling or pushing it. We calculated the spring potential energy for the spring powering the car. It is calculated by PEe=1/2kx^2. x=distance moved by spring.
Spring Constant - A measure of how much a spring wants to pull back together or the rigidity of the spring. It is calculated by k=F/d. If it is easy to move, it would have a low spring constant, and if it were hard to move, it would have a high spring constant.
Thermal Energy - Energy created by heat, usually because of friction. It is calculated by: total energy - KE - PE. On our performance graph, Our car started off with little thermal energy, but gained more as the car went farther, because it lost more and more potential and kinetic energy.
Kinetic Energy - Energy that something possesses by being in motion. It is calculated by using the equation: KE=1/2mv^2. Our cars kinetic energy rose until it hit its top speed, then it slowly decreased until it stopped.
Reflection
During this project I learned how important it is to not miss school because I missed 2 days during this project. When I came back, my group had gotten a lot done, but I had no idea what I was going to say when we presented our car to the class. I soon found out what I was saying and everything went smoothly from there on. I also found out that it is important to have another plan because our original car was going to be powered by a CO2 cartridge, but that obviously didn't happen.
I really enjoyed doing this project because I love cars and like to know how they work. I believe I did a great job helping construct the car and practice testing it. I also brought the lego wheels from home that we used on the front and part of the back of the car. Overall this project was a huge success and was a lot of fun.