Objective:
To construct a vehicle that can travel 10 meters and stop, and have the greatest average velocity, and use only gravitational and/or elastic potential energy as a source of energy.
Dimensions:
Vehicle’s dimensions must be with the following limits:
- Height – 2 m
- Width – 50 cm
- Length – 2 m
Source of Energy:
Must be gravitational and/or elastic potential energy.
Presentation of Vehicle:
On the date assigned, students will present their vehicles – explaining construction techniques, materials used, and sources of energy. During their presentation, concepts such as energy, power, torque, etc. should be used in their explanation.
Rules:
Vehicle must be released not pushed
Vehicle will be timed from when it is released until it comes to a complete stop
Vehicle will be graded on how close it comes to being displaced 10 meters (going too long is as bad as too short)
Vehicle will be graded on creativity. Your design and choice of materials are very important; choose wisely; (use a minimum amount of pre-manufactured parts)
The entire vehicle must be displace 10 meters, nothing can be left behind – i.e. ramp, rubber band, etc.
Your presentation and one run will be presented on the first day. You will have an opportunity to make changes on your vehicle that evening to improve its performances for the second run, which will take place on the second day (only the best run will count)
Reflection / Evaluation:
After your vehicle has completed both runs, you will be asked to write a paragraph on the project, noting lesson learned, mistakes made, and ways that you could have improved your results.