Reflection

Out of all the experiments that were tested in school, the mousetrap car was the most successful. The car traveled 29 tiles, which was the most out of all of the cars made. Many things were learnt while doing this project such as: learning what creates a kind of energy, learning more about Newton's Laws, how different ordinary parts could be used to make the car and learning which main source gave off the most amount of force. The mousetrap was a strong force of potential energy. Each of the pieces of the car were well placed and glued well. Changes I would make to the project would be to start it earlier because the car and experiments could have been more in detail and accurate if the project wasn't done last minute.  After our experiment, the axle had gotten loose. It had become loose because the pens weren't glued enough.  Further investigation I would do is to add different elements of energy such as a balloon or rubber bands to the mousetrap car to see if it would help it go a farther distance.

The Final Product

The Final Vehicle:

Test 3 for Design 3

Test 3-

Hypothesis:
If the balloon is used as a rubber band around the wheels (Cd's), then there will be greater friction.

Procedure:

1. Cut top and bottom of balloon off.
2. Cut that in half
3. Stretch "rubber band" around each wheel (Cd)
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the other set of wheels

Results:
A forward force was neccisary to make the vehicle move. As well as, compared to before the vehicle did not accelerate as fast and didn't go as far.

Conclusion:
While the rubber bands did indeed create friction, it caused the vehicle to slow down excessively. The hypothesis was proven correct; however, the balloon rubber bands will have a negative impact on the vehicle. Therefore, the balloon rubber bands will not be used on the vehicle.

Test 2 for Design 3

Test 2-

Hypothesis:
If Cd's are used for the wheels, then the vehicle will follow a straight path.

Procedure:

1. Insert pen through 2 Cd's.
2. Hot glue the Cd's to each side evenly.
3. Glue pen and Cd (wheel and axle) to vehicle base.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the other set of wheels.

Results:
When the car was realeased, the Cd's allowed the vehicle to move in a straight path. Also, the Cd's helped the vehicle move faster and smoother.

Conclusion:
The hypothesis was proven correct. The Cd's affected the car by allowing it to move in a straight, smooth, and fast path. This also follows the rules that the vehicle must stay in a 2 tile wide path. Overall, the Cd's had a postive impact on the vehicle.

Test 1 for Design 3

Test 1-

Hypothesis:
If thread is used to pull back the hanger attached to the mousetrap, then it will unwind at an even pace.

Procedure:

1. Cut appropriate piece of thread
2. Tie thread through hook attached to hanger
3. Pull back thread and attach to axle
4. Wind the axle
5. Let go of axle allowing the car to accelerate.

Results:
As the thread was released, it unwounded slowly. As the thread was unwinding, it got tangled which caused the vehicle to slow down.

Conclusion:
The results showed that the hypothesis was incorrect. The thread did not unwind at an even pace causing it to tangle. The acceleration, therefore slowed down. This experiment shows that thread should not be used in the vehicle. Fishing wire is the better choice.

Procedure for Design 3

Procedure:

1. Take three paint sticks and place two parallel with each other.
2. Take the third paint stick and cut it in half making to even pieces. Place one horizontally (creating a H) and place the other piece parallel to it.
3. Take a pen and place it in the Cd to make the wheel and axle.
4. Do step 3 again for the other side.
5. Take the wheels and axles and place them on the ends of the base.
6. Glue the adjusted and cut mousetrap to the middle of the base.
7. Attach a piece of the hanger to the mousetrap.
8. The hanger had a hook of the end of it which allowed the fishing line to easily go through it.
9. Knot the fishing line to the hook to make sure that it would stay in place.
10. Pull the line back which will allow the hanger to come back as well.
11. Wind the fishing line around the axle again and again. This will cause the car to accelerate in a forward direction.
12. When the fishing line is released the car will go in a straight path steadily.

Final Design

Final Design

The vehicle that the project was based off of was design 3. This design had the least amount of cons and allowed the vehicle to have both kinetic and potential energy from the mousetrap. The paint sticks would allow the vehicle to have a sturdy base and the Cd's would allow it to go in a straight path. After several tests, different adjustments were made to the vehicle. For example, the fishing line would be able to keep the hanger up without it breaking. The vehicle followed all the rules that were needed and would go a further distance than the other designs would have.