What are the physics behind a mousetrap car?
The mousetrap storespotential energyin the form of the spring. That potential energy is converted into kinetic energy in the form of the arm rotating forward. The arm pulls on the wound-up string, which turns the drive wheel dowel, which is connected to the wheels, which makes the car drive forward.
What forces does a mousetrap car use?
A moving mousetrap car is affected by two type of friction: airfriction and bearing friction. Airfriction is a large factor only with cars that are moving fast and is nearly negligible for slow-moving distance cars; therefore, in this lab you will only take bearing friction into consideration.
How does a mouse trap car work?
A mousetrap car works on the principle of a lever. One end of the lever is connected to a spring. When a force is used to pull up the other end of the lever up, the spring tightens, storing energy. When the lever is released, the stored energy in the spring is transferred back to the lever, and the end snaps back.
What two types of friction affect a mousetrap car?
This energy is used to overcome friction and propel the vehicle. The less friction acting against a moving mousetrap car, the less energy that is consumed to friction and the further that the vehicle will travel. A moving mousetrap car is affected by two type of friction: airfriction and bearing friction.
How does a mousetrap car show Newtons third law?
A car is propelled forward because the drive wheels push on the road and the floor pushes back against the wheels of the car causing the car to move.
How do mousetrap cars reduce friction?
Try to have a minimum gap of 1/8 inch between the frame and any spacers (or wheels) in order to decrease any rubbing friction. Use thrust washers and graphite powder between spacers (or wheels) and the frame to help reduce the rubbing friction.
How does Newtons laws apply to mousetrap car?
The mouse trap car relates to Newtons first law because the car does not move until the force of the mousetrap moves it and then it doesn’t stop until it hits something or until gravity finally stops it. – Newtons second law: Acceleration is produced when a force acts on a mass.
What design features help a mousetrap car travel the farthest distance?
Using large rear wheels allow one rotation of the axle to take the car a much further distance. In other words, a given length of the string from the mousetrap moves the car a greater distance.
How do Newton’s laws of motion apply to mousetrap cars?
How is energy conserved in a mousetrap car?
Friction converts the energy of a moving objects into heat and sound and this will eventually causes a moving object to come to a stop. Energy is not destroyed by this process but it is being converted into heat and sound.
How does a mousetrap car adapt to speed?
By changing the size of the drive wheel(s) you can speed-up or slow-down your mousetrap vehicle. Larger drive wheels have a greater travel distance per each turn compared to smaller drive wheel. As the size of the drive wheel increase the torque required to start a wheel turning also increase.
How does a mousetrap car adapt to distance?
To adapt your mousetrap car for distance, use large, light wheels for less friction and greater inertia. For example, old CDs make great wheels to increase distance. If your car is a rear-wheel drive car, set the wheels on a narrow rear axle so the wheels turn more and travel further.
What is the physics behind a mousetrap car?
What is the physics behind a mousetrap car? The basics. The mousetrap storespotential energyin the form of the spring. That potential energy is converted into kinetic energy in the form of the arm rotating forward. The arm pulls on the wound-up string, which turns the drive wheel dowel, which is connected to the wheels, which makes the car
How do you make a mouse trap car?
Cut four wheels out of a piece of foam board or corrugated cardboard (adult supervision is necessary).
What is a mouse-trap car and how does it work?
A body — usually flat and elongated to hold the mousetrap
How to make mousetrap car?
To build a mousetrap car, start by making 4 wheels out of heavy cardboard or foam core. Carefully remove the teeth from the mousetrap, then fashion a chassis from heavy cardboard and attach the trap to the chassis with duct tape.