Difference between revisions of "Mousetrap Vehicle Competition"

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<h2>1 Objective</h2>
= Objectives =
Using knowledge of gear ratios, torque, and basic physics concepts, design and build a vehicle that is powered by a standard mousetrap that will travel the farthest linear distance in a competition against other designs.


<p>Using your knowledge of gear ratios, torque, and other basic physics concepts,
= Overview =
build a vehicle powered only by a standard sized mousetrap that will travel the
Vehicles need a way to move, called propulsion. Propulsion is a form of energy conversion, from a stored form into movement. The most common means of propulsion is to release the chemical energy in petroleum products to cause movement. The internal combustion engine in most automobiles works this way. Small radio-controlled cars use propulsion when the chemical energy stored in batteries is converted into electricity, and this electricity drives an electric motor that moves the car.
farthest linear distance. </p>


<h2>2 Overview</h2>
Railroad locomotives use several forms of energy conversion to achieve propulsion. Usually a diesel engine converts the chemical energy in kerosene into a rotary or turning motion that drives an electric generator, producing electricity. This electricity powers motors mounted on the locomotive's wheels, providing so much propulsion that the locomotive moves not only itself, but typically many train cars as well.


<p>Vehicles need a way to move, called <b><i>propulsion</i></b>. Propulsion is basically
A recent development in automobiles is hybrid propulsion, where an internal combustion engine and a battery combine to provide propulsion. This is more efficient than a combustion engine alone. In a standard automobile, the internal combustion engine had to be large enough to provide enough power to accelerate a vehicle. But it also had to propel the car under normal circumstances, where the engine was too powerful and so inefficient. Increased gas costs and this inefficiency led to the design and manufacture of hybrid cars. With a hybrid car, the battery is used for normal cruising where not much power is needed, and the internal combustion engine is only used where more power is required for acceleration or to recharge the battery. This way both propulsion sources do what they do best.
form of energy conversion, from a stored form into movement. The most common means of
propulsion is to release the chemical energy in petroleum products to cause movements.
The internal combustion engine in most automobiles works this way, as do jet engines.
Small radio-controlled cars use propulsion where the chemical energy stored in batteries
is converted into electricity, and this electricity drives an electric motor that moves the
car.</p>


<p>Railroad locomotives do several forms of energy conversion to achieve propulsion.
In motor vehicles, drive trains consisting of transmissions, drive shafts, differentials, axles, and wheels convert the energy of the fuel (electrical, chemical, hybrid) into mechanical energy. Gears assist in this process by transferring mechanical energy from one gear to another. There are several types of gears, which have a measurable characteristic called a gear ratio. A gear ratio is calculated by counting the number of teeth on the input gear, or the initial gear in the system, and dividing that number by the number of teeth on the output gear, or the final gear in the system. When a system uses wheels or pulleys, the diameter of the gears is used.
Usually a diesel engine converts the chemical energy in kerosene into rotary motion
(turning), which drives an electric generator, producing electricity. This electricity is
then sent to motors mounted on the locomotive's wheels, providing so much propulsion that
the locomotive moves not only itself, but typically many train cars as well.</p>


<p>A recent development with automobiles is hybrid propulsion, where an internal combustion
Almost any energy source can be used for propulsion with enough ingenuity. For example, a wind-up toy car converts the energy from muscles in winding up the spring into motion when the car is released.
engine and a battery combine to provide propulsion. This is more efficient than a traditional
automobile. In a traditional automobile, the internal combustion engine had to be large
enough to provide good acceleration, but then also had to propel the car under normal circumstances,
where it was too powerful and inefficient for the job. With a hybrid car, the battery is used
for normal cruising where not much power is needed, and the internal combustion engine is only
used where more power is required for acceleration or to recharge the battery. This way both
propulsion sources do what they do best.</p>


<p>Almost any energy source can be used for propulsion with enough ingenuity. For example, a
A mousetrap car (Figure 1) is a vehicle that uses a mousetrap as its propulsion source. In a mousetrap car, a string is attached to the lever arm of the mousetrap and the other end of the string is attached to the drive axle.
wind-up toy car converts the energy from your muscles in winding up the spring into motion when
the car is released.</p>


<p>A <b><i>mousetrap car</i></b> is a vehicle using a mousetrap as a propulsion source. In a
[[Image:lab_Mousetrap_1.jpg|frame|center|Figure 1: Picture of a typical mousetrap car.]]
traditional mousetrap car, a string is attached to the lever arm of the mousetrap
and the other end of the string is attached to the drive axle.</p>


[[Image:lab_Mousetrap_1.jpg|frame|center|Figure 1: Picture of a typical mousetrap car]]
The string is looped around a hook on the axle. As the string is wrapped around the axle (Figure 2), the mousetrap's lever arm is pulled back. When the mousetrap is activated, the lever arm pulls the string, which rotates the drive axle and propels the vehicle forward.


<p>The string is looped around a &quot;hook&quot; on the axle. As the string is wrapped
[[Image:lab_Mousetrap_2.jpg|frame|center|Figure 2: A possible mousetrap car design.]]
around the axle, the mousetrap's lever arm will be pulled back. When the mousetrap is
activated, the lever arm will pull the string, which in turn will rotate the drive axle
and propel the vehicle forward. </p>


[[Image:lab_Mousetrap_2.jpg|frame|center|Figure 2: A possible mousetrap car design]]
== Principles Involved in a Mousetrap Car ==


<h3>Principles involved in a Mousetrap Car</h3>
'''Friction''': This is the force that resists the motion of two surfaces in contact. In a mousetrap car, power can be lost due to friction between the axles and chassis and between the wheels and the ground. Not all friction is bad; friction that prevents the wheels from slipping is called traction. In general, a design should reduce friction, but have enough traction so that the wheels do not slip.


<p><b>Friction</b>:The force that resists the motion of two surfaces in contact.
'''Rotational Inertia''': This is the resistance an object has to changes in rotation. The mass of the object affects the rotational inertia, the greater the mass, the greater the rotational inertia.
In a mousetrap car, a lot of power is lost due to friction between the axles
and chassis and between the wheels and the ground. Not all friction is bad
though; friction that prevents the wheels from slipping is called traction. In
general, one may want to reduce the amount of friction, but have enough
traction so that the wheels do not slip. </p>


<p><b>Rotational Inertia</b>: The resistance an object has to changes in rotation.
[[Image:lab_Mousetrap_3.png|frame|center|Figure 3: Lesser rotational inertia.]]
Mass of the object affects the amount of rotational inertia, the greater the
mass, the greater the rotational inertia.</p>


[[Image:lab_Mousetrap_3.png|frame|center|Figure 3: Small rotational inertia]]
[[Image:lab_Mousetrap_4.png|frame|center|Figure 4: Greater rotational inertia.]]


[[Image:lab_Mousetrap_4.png|frame|center|Figure 4: Greater rotational inertia]]
Rotational inertia (Figures 3 & 4) is also dependent on the location of the mass from the axis of rotation (Figure 5). The farther the bulk of mass is radially from the axis of rotation, the greater the rotational inertia.


<p>Rotational inertia is also dependent on the location of mass from the axis of
[[Image:lab_Mousetrap_5.png|frame|center|Figure 5: Comparison of rotational inertia.]]
rotation. The farther the bulk of mass is radially from the axis of rotation, the greater
the rotational inertia.</p>


[[Image:lab_Mousetrap_5.png|frame|center|Figure 5: Comparison of Rotational Inertia]]
= Design Considerations =
* Consider the power source; the position and length of the lever arm determine the torque produced.
* Too much weight may prevent the mousetrap car from moving; weight will also affect the car's momentum.
* Use CAUTION when handling mousetraps (mousetrap hammers snap at 70mph).


<h2>3 Your Assignment</h2>
= Assignment =


<h3>Individual Lab Report</h3>
== Individual Lab Report ==
Follow the lab report guidelines laid out in the page called [[Specifications for Writing Your Lab Reports]] in the ''Technical Communication'' section of this manual. The following discussion points should be addressed in the appropriate section of the lab report:
* Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the design.
* Discuss the characteristics of the design that won the competition.


<p>Follow the lab report guidelines laid out in the page called
Extra credit will be awarded to the winner of the competition as described in the [[EG1003 Grading Policy]]. Make sure to get the sketch of the design signed by the TA. Get a photo of the design and attach it to the lab report.
[[Specifications for Writing Your Lab Reports]] in the <i>Technical Communication</i>
section of this manual. As you write, the following discussion points should be
addressed in the appropriate section of your lab report:</p>


<ul>
<!--
<li>Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of your design.</li>
== PowerPoint Presentation (Section HS1 Only) ==
<li>Discuss the characteristics of the design that won the competition.</li>
</ul>


<p>Extra credit will be awarded to the winner of the competition as described in the
''For Sections A, B, C, D, E, and F1/HS2: there is no presentation for Lab 1A.''
[[EG1003 Grading Policy]]. Make sure to get the sketch of the design signed by the TA
as well as a photo and attach it to your lab report.</p>


<h3>PowerPoint Presentation (Sections HS1 & HS2 Only)</h3>
Follow the presentation guidelines laid out in the page called [[EG1003 Lab Presentation Format]] in the ''Introduction to Technical Presentations'' section of this manual.
<!-- The following discussion points are to be addressed in the appropriate section of the presentation:
-->


<p>''For Sections A, B, C, D, E, F, and G: there is no presentation for Lab 1A.''</p>
= Competition Rules =
* Only the Lego parts provided may be used.
* The vehicle must be powered solely by the mousetrap provided.
* The vehicle must have at least one wheel (no projectiles allowed).
* The mousetrap spring must not be physically altered.
* The vehicle may not receive a push at the start.
* The vehicle cannot be touched once it has left the starting position.
* Displacement distance will be measured; not the total distance traveled.
* If the car hits another object (e.g. the wall), distance will be measured at the point of impact.


<p>Follow the presentation guidelines laid out in the page called [[EG1003 Lab Presentation Format]] in the ''Introduction to Technical Presentations'' section of this manual.
== Scoring ==
<!--When you are preparing your presentation, consider the following points:--></p>
The design with the greatest displacement distance traveled wins.


<h2>4 Competition Rules</h2>
= Materials =
* Robolab kit
* Mousetrap
* Kevlar string
* Tape


<ol>
= Procedure =
# Brainstorm possible designs for a mousetrap car.
# Sketch the design on paper.
# Construct the design based on the sketch.
# The mousetrap may be attached to the car by tape (try not to use excessive amounts of tape; all tape should be removed from the Lego parts before leaving).
# Load the mousetrap by winding the string around the drive axle.
# Once the design is ready, position the vehicle behind the starting line and release it.
# Once the vehicle comes to a stop, the current distance may be kept or quick modifications may be made and additional trials attempted. Each design is allowed up to three trials if time permits.
# Before leaving the room, the mousetrap car must be disassembled and all tape must be removed from the Lego parts.


<li>Only the Lego parts provided may be used.</li>
{{Laboratory Experiments}}
<li>The vehicle must be powered solely by the mousetrap provided.</li>
<li>The vehicle must have at least 1 wheel (no projectiles allowed)</li>
<li>The mousetrap spring must not be physically altered.</li>
<li>The vehicle may not receive a push at the start </li>
<li>The vehicle cannot be touched once it has left the starting position.</li>
<li>Displacement distance will be measured; not the total distance traveled.</li>
<li>If the car hits another object (e.g. the wall), distance will be measured at the point of impact.</li>
</ol>
 
<h3>Scoring</h3>
 
<p>The team with the greatest displacement distance traveled wins. </p>
 
<h2>5 Materials</h2>
 
<ul>
<li>Robolab kit</li>
<li>Mousetrap</li>
<li>Kevlar string</li>
 
<li>Tape</li>
</ul>
 
<h2>6 Procedure</h2>
 
<ol>
<li>Brainstorm about possible designs for a mousetrap car.</li>
<li>Sketch your design on paper</li>
<li>Construct your design based on your sketch </li>
<li>The mousetrap may be attached to the car by tape (try not to use excessive amounts of tape; all
tape should be removed from the Lego parts before leaving).</li>
<li>Load the mousetrap by winding the string around the drive axle.</li>
 
<li>Once your team is ready, position the vehicle behind the starting line and release it.</li>
<li>Once the vehicle comes to a stop, your team may decide to keep the current distance or make quick
modifications and try again. Each team is allowed up to 3 tries if time permits.</li>
<li>Before leaving the room, the mousetrap car must be disassembled and all tape must be removed from
the Lego parts.</li>
</ol>
 
<h3>Things to keep in mind when building a mousetrap car</h3>
 
<ul>
<li>The position of mousetrap and length of the lever arm are important in determining the amount of
torque wanted.</li>
 
<li>Weight is an important factor in building mousetrap cars. A mousetrap may not have enough force
to propel a heavy car. Weight will also affect the car's momentum.</li>
 
<li>Use CAUTION when handling mousetraps (mousetrap hammers snap at 70mph).</li>
</ul>
 
[[Main_Page | Return to table of Contents]]

Revision as of 13:38, 19 December 2013

Objectives

Using knowledge of gear ratios, torque, and basic physics concepts, design and build a vehicle that is powered by a standard mousetrap that will travel the farthest linear distance in a competition against other designs.

Overview

Vehicles need a way to move, called propulsion. Propulsion is a form of energy conversion, from a stored form into movement. The most common means of propulsion is to release the chemical energy in petroleum products to cause movement. The internal combustion engine in most automobiles works this way. Small radio-controlled cars use propulsion when the chemical energy stored in batteries is converted into electricity, and this electricity drives an electric motor that moves the car.

Railroad locomotives use several forms of energy conversion to achieve propulsion. Usually a diesel engine converts the chemical energy in kerosene into a rotary or turning motion that drives an electric generator, producing electricity. This electricity powers motors mounted on the locomotive's wheels, providing so much propulsion that the locomotive moves not only itself, but typically many train cars as well.

A recent development in automobiles is hybrid propulsion, where an internal combustion engine and a battery combine to provide propulsion. This is more efficient than a combustion engine alone. In a standard automobile, the internal combustion engine had to be large enough to provide enough power to accelerate a vehicle. But it also had to propel the car under normal circumstances, where the engine was too powerful and so inefficient. Increased gas costs and this inefficiency led to the design and manufacture of hybrid cars. With a hybrid car, the battery is used for normal cruising where not much power is needed, and the internal combustion engine is only used where more power is required for acceleration or to recharge the battery. This way both propulsion sources do what they do best.

In motor vehicles, drive trains consisting of transmissions, drive shafts, differentials, axles, and wheels convert the energy of the fuel (electrical, chemical, hybrid) into mechanical energy. Gears assist in this process by transferring mechanical energy from one gear to another. There are several types of gears, which have a measurable characteristic called a gear ratio. A gear ratio is calculated by counting the number of teeth on the input gear, or the initial gear in the system, and dividing that number by the number of teeth on the output gear, or the final gear in the system. When a system uses wheels or pulleys, the diameter of the gears is used.

Almost any energy source can be used for propulsion with enough ingenuity. For example, a wind-up toy car converts the energy from muscles in winding up the spring into motion when the car is released.

A mousetrap car (Figure 1) is a vehicle that uses a mousetrap as its propulsion source. In a mousetrap car, a string is attached to the lever arm of the mousetrap and the other end of the string is attached to the drive axle.

Figure 1: Picture of a typical mousetrap car.

The string is looped around a hook on the axle. As the string is wrapped around the axle (Figure 2), the mousetrap's lever arm is pulled back. When the mousetrap is activated, the lever arm pulls the string, which rotates the drive axle and propels the vehicle forward.

Figure 2: A possible mousetrap car design.

Principles Involved in a Mousetrap Car

Friction: This is the force that resists the motion of two surfaces in contact. In a mousetrap car, power can be lost due to friction between the axles and chassis and between the wheels and the ground. Not all friction is bad; friction that prevents the wheels from slipping is called traction. In general, a design should reduce friction, but have enough traction so that the wheels do not slip.

Rotational Inertia: This is the resistance an object has to changes in rotation. The mass of the object affects the rotational inertia, the greater the mass, the greater the rotational inertia.

Figure 3: Lesser rotational inertia.
Figure 4: Greater rotational inertia.

Rotational inertia (Figures 3 & 4) is also dependent on the location of the mass from the axis of rotation (Figure 5). The farther the bulk of mass is radially from the axis of rotation, the greater the rotational inertia.

Figure 5: Comparison of rotational inertia.

Design Considerations

  • Consider the power source; the position and length of the lever arm determine the torque produced.
  • Too much weight may prevent the mousetrap car from moving; weight will also affect the car's momentum.
  • Use CAUTION when handling mousetraps (mousetrap hammers snap at 70mph).

Assignment

Individual Lab Report

Follow the lab report guidelines laid out in the page called Specifications for Writing Your Lab Reports in the Technical Communication section of this manual. The following discussion points should be addressed in the appropriate section of the lab report:

  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the design.
  • Discuss the characteristics of the design that won the competition.

Extra credit will be awarded to the winner of the competition as described in the EG1003 Grading Policy. Make sure to get the sketch of the design signed by the TA. Get a photo of the design and attach it to the lab report.


Competition Rules

  • Only the Lego parts provided may be used.
  • The vehicle must be powered solely by the mousetrap provided.
  • The vehicle must have at least one wheel (no projectiles allowed).
  • The mousetrap spring must not be physically altered.
  • The vehicle may not receive a push at the start.
  • The vehicle cannot be touched once it has left the starting position.
  • Displacement distance will be measured; not the total distance traveled.
  • If the car hits another object (e.g. the wall), distance will be measured at the point of impact.

Scoring

The design with the greatest displacement distance traveled wins.

Materials

  • Robolab kit
  • Mousetrap
  • Kevlar string
  • Tape

Procedure

  1. Brainstorm possible designs for a mousetrap car.
  2. Sketch the design on paper.
  3. Construct the design based on the sketch.
  4. The mousetrap may be attached to the car by tape (try not to use excessive amounts of tape; all tape should be removed from the Lego parts before leaving).
  5. Load the mousetrap by winding the string around the drive axle.
  6. Once the design is ready, position the vehicle behind the starting line and release it.
  7. Once the vehicle comes to a stop, the current distance may be kept or quick modifications may be made and additional trials attempted. Each design is allowed up to three trials if time permits.
  8. Before leaving the room, the mousetrap car must be disassembled and all tape must be removed from the Lego parts.