The Ball- Our Hybrid Car
By Gabriella Vasquez, Nico Lofrano, and Kyle Ramser
Concepts
Distance vs. time- a distance vs. time graph shows the distance of an object (y) at any point in time (x) during the experiment. As the time increases, the distance does also, until it reaches a certain point and stops. An example of this can be found in my slideshow. Velocity- rate of distance covered in a direction (meters/second). Eq: change in distance/change in time. Spring Potential Energy- This is the energy stored by stretching or compressing an elastic object (Joule). Eq: 1/2kx^2 (k= spring constant, x=amount of compression). Gravitational Potential Energy- the energy an object has due to its position above Earth, energy due to its height (Joule). Eq: mass multiplied by gravity multiplied by height. Kinetic Energy- energy due to motion (Joule). Eq: 1/2 mass multiplied by velocity squared. Thermal Energy- he internal energy of an object due to the kinetic energy of its atoms and/or molecules (Joule). Eq: Total energy - PE - KE Friction- the force resisting the relative motion of two surfaces sliding against each other. |
The car company Hyundai is looking for the most fuel efficient vehicle that uses an alternate energy source. The car should have an alternative energy source such as solar or rubber bands which other groups have done. The model prototype should travel and stop at a distance of exactly five meters, be able to carry 100 pennies (250 grams) easily and safely, and be as inexpensive and practical as possible. Hyundai also requires that each group deliver a short presentation to convince the company to invest in their vehicle.
We started off this project with brainstorming possible ideas and designs. After taking some time to think through our original design, we started to build. First we built the base which consists of four wooden beams screwed together to form a frame. Next we added the three sides and the top which is two beams in a "T" shape. Next we put the axle on, which is a metal rod, through two small pieces of PVC pipe taped to the base. For our two back wheels, we used larger PVC pipes that we cut into a reasonable size and cut out wooden blocks that we fit in the center of the wheels so the axle could attach to them. We then used a small orange ball for our front wheel and attached it with a thin wooden axle. Finally, we strapped the pennies (passengers) onto the underside of the top beam. Our specific design rolls down a ramp. We carved small grooves into our back wheels to create traction and then started the vehicle from a certain height up the ramp so that the friction will slow down the car and make it stop at exactly five meters. After a couple of trails and recording data, we set to work on creating a slideshow and calculating the physics. We found the different velocities per meter and calculated different types of energy that were involved in our car moving. Our final presentation can be found below.
|
Reflection
While doing this project I learned plenty of new things that I will use in years to come. One thing that I got a chance to do this project was actually build the car. I had hands on experience with different tools that I haven't had the chance of using before and I was able to create something. Learning these skills and then expanding on them in later projects will be skills I'll have for the rest of my life and career. Another skill I got out of this project was learning how to graph different types of energy and how to read and explain the final graph. In my presentation, there are three graphs that I created showing different elements of our car, one of them being the different forms of energy. In that graph, I was able to calculate and accurately display the information. Although I did learn obtain new skills, there were some parts of the project that need working on. For example, one thing that I need to work on is time management. During the project, we spent a lot of time building our car, even though it's a simple design. This resulted in not having a lot of time for calculating the physics and leaving us to rushing to put together our presentation. Managing time wisely is a tricky skill that I'm going to have to work on in future projects to be able to do them the best I can. One more thing that I could work on in the future is cooperation. I tend to observe and correct others during projects, but what would be more beneficial to the group is if I were to take a leading position and work equally as a team. Overall, I enjoyed this project and appreciate that I got the chance to acquire new skills.
While doing this project I learned plenty of new things that I will use in years to come. One thing that I got a chance to do this project was actually build the car. I had hands on experience with different tools that I haven't had the chance of using before and I was able to create something. Learning these skills and then expanding on them in later projects will be skills I'll have for the rest of my life and career. Another skill I got out of this project was learning how to graph different types of energy and how to read and explain the final graph. In my presentation, there are three graphs that I created showing different elements of our car, one of them being the different forms of energy. In that graph, I was able to calculate and accurately display the information. Although I did learn obtain new skills, there were some parts of the project that need working on. For example, one thing that I need to work on is time management. During the project, we spent a lot of time building our car, even though it's a simple design. This resulted in not having a lot of time for calculating the physics and leaving us to rushing to put together our presentation. Managing time wisely is a tricky skill that I'm going to have to work on in future projects to be able to do them the best I can. One more thing that I could work on in the future is cooperation. I tend to observe and correct others during projects, but what would be more beneficial to the group is if I were to take a leading position and work equally as a team. Overall, I enjoyed this project and appreciate that I got the chance to acquire new skills.