How to Make Rubber Band Cars
Constructing a rubber band car can be a fun and educational project for children or young budding engineers. This simple-to-complete project demonstrates the concept of potential energy through the use of a rubber band to store and then release energy, driving the toy car forward. This inexpensive design can be made using mostly items found around the house. The finished product is a two-wheeled racer that moves surprisingly quick.
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Things You'll Need
- Corrugated cardboard
- 8-inch wooden skewer
- 2 large washers
- 2 CDs
- Poster putty
- Rubber band
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Glue
- Tape
Instructions
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1
Cut the corrugated cardboard down to a piece measuring 5 inches by 6 inches. Cut it so the holes from the corrugation show along the 6-inch side.
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2
Cut a 2-inch wide by 1 1/2-inch deep notch into the 5-inch side of the cardboard.
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3
Poke your skewer through the corrugations of the cardboard so that it runs through the notch you cut and close to the outer edge. This will form the axle of your rubber band car, so make sure the skewer turns freely. Twist the skewer and move it around to loosen up the axle. Locate the center of the axle in the notch and wrap it in tape. This tape will serve as a catch to wrap one end of the rubber band around.
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4
Hold a washer to the center of a CD. This will form your wheel. Move them onto the end of the skewer, leaving room between the cardboard and CD. Use poster putty to hold the washer to the CD and to secure the whole wheel to the axle. Repeat this step for the second wheel.
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5
Glue one end of the rubber band to the piece of the cardboard opposite to the notch. Allow it to dry. Stretch the other end over the axle and twist the wheels to wrap the rubber band tight. This twisting will store potential energy within the rubber band.
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6
Place the rubber band car on a flat surface and release the wheels, turning the stored potential energy into kinetic energy and causing the car to zoom along until the rubber band has become unwound.
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Tips & Warnings
This rubber band car is a very basic design. Encourage children to build their own experiment with new designs. A second axle, smaller wheels, or multiple rubber bands will alter the speed and movement of the car. Decorate the rubber band cars with markers. Hold a race to see who can build the fastest car.
Always supervise children working with scissors and other sharp objects. Avoid stretching the rubber band too tight as it may snap, causing personal injury.
