The Physics of Mousetrap Cars

1
The Physics of Mousetrap Cars

• Milbank High School

2
Discussion

• What were some of the design aspects that made
  certain cars perform better than others?
• What were some bad design ideas?
• What were some ways that we could further improve
  our cars?
• Longer cars?
• Larger wheels?
• Less friction?

3
Discussion Cont

• If we had a speed competition, what would be the
  best way to modify our cars?

4
The Physics of Mousetrap Cars

• http//www.docfizzix.com/help.htm
• Torque-- rotational counterpart of force
• Longer leverdecreases pulling force, slower cars
• Wheel Size

5
The Physics of Mousetrap Cars

• Rotational Inertia
• Resistance an object has to changing its state of
  rotation
• Larger wheels vs smaller axle
• Displacing the
• weight towards
• the outsides
• BUT.requires
• more force

6
The Physics of Mousetrap Cars

• Friction
• Less surface area on wheels
• Sharpen the wheels!
• Axle vs. chassis
• Bearings?
• Spring Constant
• How could you modify the spring?

7
The Physics of Mousetrap Cars

• Kinetic vs Potential Energy
• Trap set potential energy
• Moving vehicle kinetic energy (and some
  potential still in the spring)

8
Longest Distances Ever!

• http//www.docfizzix.com/distance_cars.htm