How to Build a Car That Will Climb a Ramp for a Physics Project
In order to build a vehicle that can be self-propelled up a ramp, without going to extremes such as mounting an internal combustion engine on it, you will need to use everyday materials that store energy. There are many options here, though a simple one can be made from springs and rubber bands. These can be triggered so that the torque produced will send a homemade contraption up a ramp. You will need to mount this energy source onto a pair of axles and mount round objects to serve as wheels to these axles, as well.
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Things You'll Need
- Mouse trap
- 2 feet household string
- Glue
- 2 plastic ballpoint pens
- 8 rubber bands
- 4 compact discs or DVDs
- 4 eye hooks
Instructions
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1
Screw the eye hooks into the smallest edges of the mouse trap. They should be twisted such that the openings are parallel to each other and are vertical to the ground.
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2
Disassemble the pens and save the plastic tubes. Cut two holes on opposite sides of one tube so that the string can be passed through. It should be centered lengthwise.
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3
Slide the pen tube with the holes through the eye hooks on the side of the mouse trap where the metal bar would be resting when it is set. Slide the other pen tube through the other pair of eye hooks.
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4
Twist a rubber band around the the ends of each pen tube. Leave just enough room for the compact discs to slide over them.
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5
Mount the compact discs on the ends of the pen tubes. Make sure they do not slide along the tubes by adjusting the number of times the rubber bands are wound.
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6
Wrap the remaining four rubber bands around the edge of each compact disk. This will provide traction for the "wheels".
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7
Tie one end of the string securely to the bar of the mouse trap.
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8
Thread the other end of the string through the hole in the rear pen tube. Tie a knot so that the string cannot be pulled through the hole.
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9
Set the mouse trap. Wind the slack string around the rear pen tube by spinning it so that the string goes on top of the tube. For example, if the rear of the contraption is to your right when holding it in front of you, wind the axle clockwise.
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10
Set the vehicle on the surface of the ramp, then trigger the trap. The spring in the trap will unwind the string, spinning the axle and propelling the contraption up the ramp.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Make sure the compact discs are straight and balanced to ensure the contraption goes straight.
Make sure to keep your fingers clear of the trap while it is set.
References
- Photo Credit mousetrap image by Brett Mulcahy from Fotolia.com
