Hybrid Car
For this STEM project we had to build a car that uses alternate energy, energy other than gasoline. We were also not allowed to use any chemical or nuclear energy, no remote controlled cars, touch the car, or modify the track in any way. The car also had to go 5 meters exactly while carrying 250 grams of mass, which is about half a pound. Our group decided to use mouse traps to power the car. We accomplished this by attaching a 37 inch string to a 26 inch by 2 inch piece of wood. This piece of wood extended outwards. We then attached the string to the front of the car's wheel, this was the axle. As the arm moved back to resting position the string unwinds, turning the axle. The car's body was made with 9 inch by 6 inch piece od wood, and a Victor Mouse trap. The wheel's were built using K'nex pieces. We were able to make the car go exactly 5 meters because we precisely measured the angle at which the extended arm is placed. If correctly measured we were able to make our car go as far as we wanted.
Types of Energy
-Kinetic Energy - The amount of energy an object has due to motion
-Potential Energy - The amount of energy an object has due to its position
-Thermal Energy - The amount of energy an object has due to its heat
-Total Energy - The total amount of energy an object contains
Velocity - A vector quantity that describes how quickly an object changes its position
Force - A "push" or "pull" interaction between two objects in which both objects are asserting a force upon the other
Impulse - A change in momentum, "How hard would it be to start this object moving"
Momentum - A mass in motion, "How hard would it be to stop this moving object"
Power - The rate at which a certain amount of work is done
Reflections
I think our group worked great together; communicating well, keeping each other on track. But we did have troubles at first, trying to figure out our plan, this took two days. When we finally figured out our plan, we got right to work. Even finishing a few days before it was due. We even had time to paint the car like a black cat, because we named the Rat Attack.
I think I improved my leadership skills; not refraining my self from taking control of a situation or telling what needs to be done and people obliging.
My leadership still needs to be improved still. TRy to include myself in tough situationsand take the hard path instead of the easy one.