Mousetrap Car!

Create a mousetrap car for the dynamics lab!

First place for both velocity and distance 
get + 20% E.C. on Final.

Rules:

• Work on them individually, or in groups of two - No more than 2 people per group!!!

• Use two of the provided mousetraps to propel the car - do not add electric motors etc. - your car can only be propelled by the mousetrap springs, you can use one or two (preferred) mousetraps.

• Bring a video camera to record your run
  
  
  • You will use the video to record x(t) to calculate velocities and accelerations from.

Grade:
1. Distance traveled (25 points)
    Longest distance gets +20% on Final
    4 points / ft  
    scores above 25 points get you extra credit

• 0-1 ft→ 4 points
• 1-2 ft → 8 points
• 2-3 ft → 12 points
• 3-4 ft → 16 points
• 4-5 ft → 20 points
• 5-6 ft → 24 points
• 6-7 ft → 28 points!  (25 + 3 Extra credit)

2. Travels in a straight line (20 points)
score = 20 - 10*(Distance from center line / distance traveled)

3.  Design (30 points)
     Weight: 10 points

• 0-80 g = 10 points
• 80-100 g = 8 points
• 100-120 g = 6 points 
• -2 points for every 20 g over 80

      Strength & functionality: 10 points
          Robust Design that doesn't fall apart?
           Smooth operation of parts?

      Aesthetic appeal & creativity: 10 points
              

4. Top speed (25 points)
     fastest car - +20% on Final
     top 33% in class - 25 points
     middle - 20 points
     bottom 33% - 15 points


Tips:
Lightweight cars typically go faster & farther.

Do a google image search to see designs.
Make wheels out of:

• old CD's
• Records
• Lids 
• old toy car wheels

We'll test them on the tile surface downstairs so you will need some kind of traction for your wheels:

• Wrap a rubber band, or a balloon around your wheel.
• use a thin layer of rubber-cement glue 
• Silicon - caulking

Race Day:

Monday night class - 11/24
Tu-Th class - 11/25
Friday 9-11:00 class - 11/21
Friday 11-1:00 class - 11/21

Prior to race-day we will be:
- going through some dynamics concepts
- setting up excel spreadsheets for the data
- going through error propagation examples

Dynamics lab:
You will only need to write up the results section of this lab report, which includes:

•  x(t), v(t) and a(t) graphs; 
•  your video
• your data
• example error propagation calculations.