Materials
- Scissors
- Index cards
- 2 franchise size straws
- 1 balloon
- 4 film caps
- Scotch tape
- 2 skewers
Problem/use
To design and create a vehicle out of our materials propelled by the balloon, which can travel at top one meter.
Conclusion
The labs purpose was in general to create a vehicle using the propulsion system of an inflated balloon. I along with my group designed and then created our vehicle out of the materials given. We were given to use a index card as the body, 2 large size straws which we used as 1 of two piece we had as our suspension system, 2 wooden skewers as the second part of our suspension system, 4 film caps as wheels and one balloon as our source of force.
The tools we were given were scissors and tape hold the project together. During our planning we knew that the vehicle needed a aerodynamic structure to reduce air resistance, also what was needed was a sturdy frame to keep our vehicle as straight as possible. We also knew that the energy used to send the vehicle its desired distance was limited to the capacity of the balloon. So we tried to keep the vehicle as light as possible by refraining our use of scotch tape, that way our mass would be less, our force the same and overall our acceleration being greater.
After the completing of the project I estimated that the capital expense would fall between 14-15 cents and the time used to create would be 20 minutes or less. Once tested the vehicle held up to our expectations but did exceed in any way. The vehicles 1st trial was sub par at a total distance of 29 centimeters and a speed of .12 m/s. our second trial was riddled with errors in that the wheels of had become turned in a twisted of the suspension system, it took a complete turn travel 16 centimeters backwards at a speed of .06 m/s. After working out the mishaps of the prior trials it finally traveled the desired distance of 1.04 meters at a speed of .38 m/s.
Newton's 1st law, inertia or an objects resistance to motion, was used at the beginning of the race when the vehicle stood stationary when it was not applied with force buy later moved across the track as the balloon's contents were released. His second law F=MxA cannot be calculated because we do not know the force or mass of the car and balloon. His 3rd law is what propels the the vehicle, the force of the air going backwards and the equal opposite force which began my racers motion. Feedback from this experiment was that the shape of the vehicle became twisted and unbalanced while the wheels were uneven due to poor construction.
From this experiment I learned how to problem solve with limited supplies and how to apply my knowledge to everyday activities. Some sources of error were mainly in the groups use of tape adding an undesirable amount to front and back creating un needed friction, mass and traction.
