Table of Contents
What are the physics behind a mousetrap car?
The mousetrap storespotential energyin the form of the spring. That potential energy is converted into kinetic energy in the form of the arm rotating forward. The arm pulls on the wound-up string, which turns the drive wheel dowel, which is connected to the wheels, which makes the car drive forward.
How can a mousetrap power a car?
A basic mousetrap car is powered by attaching a string to the “snap” lever on the trap, looping the other end to a small hook on the axle, winding the string around the axle of the car pulling back on the lever and arming it.
What makes a mousetrap car go further?
Using large rear wheels allow one rotation of the axle to take the car a much further distance. In other words, a given length of the string from the mousetrap moves the car a greater distance. The last note is to place your mousetrap as close to the front of the car as possible.
What is the history of the mousetrap car?
2 History. James Henry Atkinson, a British scientist, invented the mousetrap in 1897. His invention, known as the “Little Nipper,” received a patent in 1897. The mousetrap was the prototype of the mousetrap car.
What simple machines are in a mousetrap car?
The six simple machines are: the inclined plane, the wedge, the screw, the lever, the wheel and axle, and the pulley. Understanding the principles of these simple machines will help you design your mousetrap vehicle.
What type of work does a mousetrap car do?
A mousetrap car works on the principle of a lever. One end of the lever is connected to a spring. When a force is used to pull up the other end of the lever up, the spring tightens, storing energy. When the lever is released, the stored energy in the spring is transferred back to the lever, and the end snaps back.
What simple machines does a mouse trap car incorporate?
What materials do you need for a mousetrap car?
What You Need:
- Wooden snap-back mousetrap.
- Duct tape.
- 4 eye hooks.
- Wooden dowel that fits inside the eye hooks.
- Heavy cardboard.
- Large and small rubber bands.
- Foam board (usually found at a craft store)
- String.
How long should a mousetrap car be?
Max Length – 45 cm. Max Width – 20 cm. Height – 20 cm. Min ground clearance – 4 cm.
How do you make a mousetrap car go a certain distance?
To adapt your mousetrap car for distance, use large, light wheels for less friction and greater inertia. For example, old CDs make great wheels to increase distance. If your car is a rear-wheel drive car, set the wheels on a narrow rear axle so the wheels turn more and travel further.
What is a good length for a mousetrap car?
The ideal size for an ultra big wheel on a long distance mousetrap racer seams to be somewhere between 10 and 15 inches. And the ideal size for a drive wheel on a speed-trap racer seams to be between 2 and 3 inches but no more than 4 inches.
What is the physics behind a mousetrap car?
What is the physics behind a mousetrap car? The basics. The mousetrap storespotential energyin the form of the spring. That potential energy is converted into kinetic energy in the form of the arm rotating forward. The arm pulls on the wound-up string, which turns the drive wheel dowel, which is connected to the wheels, which makes the car
How to build a simple mousetrap car?
Cut four wheels out of a piece of foam board or corrugated cardboard (adult supervision is necessary).
How to build a fast mouse trap car?
Attaching the Lever Arm (option#1) Make sure you understand your contest regulations before you cut the mouse trap.
What is a mouse-trap car and how does it work?
A body — usually flat and elongated to hold the mousetrap
