sciencerox Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 My science teacher wants us to make a rubberband powered car which holds an egg and can run for 4 metres. I need to ask, what affects the distance and speed and how to I make sure that the car runs exactly for 4 metres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronthepon Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Exactly 4 meters is too difficult. You will really have to work real precisely for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay-qu Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 you would be best to mark how far you have to wind the elastic to make the car travel 4m and then reproduce that same windage when required Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sciencerox Posted May 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Thanks for the suggestions. Can you suggest to me where would be the better place to put something to hold the egg? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay-qu Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 cardboard/plastic box, what ever you can find that is lighter and is large enough to hold an egg - then fill it will cotton buds if it *has* to stay intact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sciencerox Posted May 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Should the car be small or big?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay-qu Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 up to you really, depends on the type of elastic band you get, you may have to run a few tests see if you can actually get the car to run the distance required. I suggest that it be as light as possible though, unless you have trouble with the car going to far, they you could weigh it down a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sciencerox Posted May 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sciencerox Posted May 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 would these type of cars run that far? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InfiniteNow Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Bear in mind that... the more you test your car, the less it will travel. The rubber band begins to lose elasticitiy. Not usually a big deal, but if your teacher wants it to go EXACTLY 4m, it may be worth noting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleAl Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Setting length of travel is easy: string + axle. The hard part is the power source. Friction is your enemy. Hooke's law for the rubber bands, then energy equals force times distance. You'll need some clever leverage to convert short and large to long and easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.