Mousetrap car design

Imagine your mousetrap car. These kinds of miniature cars are often used for physics experiment when learning about mechanical advantage, gravity, and gear ratios. You can purchase kits online that provide you with all the parts necessary to put together a mousetrap racer.

The most basic design for propelling a mousetrap. You cannot build a winning mousetrap racer until you know the basics. While there are no perfect design or plan for the ultimate speed-trap racer there are some common design elements that most record-setting .

While there is no perfect design or perfect plan for the ultimate long-distance mousetrap car there are some common design elements that most top long- distance traveling mousetrap cars will all have in common. This article outlines many of those common design elements found on most record setting . I thought about how I had lots of fun. Well this simple design will leave you with a quick accelerating, compact mousetrap car that will beat the competition. Do you have minutes of free time? With this design I ended up getting 1st . This video showcases the mouse trap racer that my daughter and I built for her school project.

A set mousetrap is full of potential energy which, when release is converted to kinetic (motion) energy. The design of your car allowed that energy to be transferred to the axle to make the wheels turn.

When the trap snapped close it yanked the string forward. As the string was pulle friction between it and the axle . In other words , the goal is to maximize the distance traveled on both these surfaces. The general style for a mousetrap car varies. A number of commercial vendors offer plans , kits and complete cars for sale. In addition to mousetrap cars , contests have been created for mousetrap boats.

A mousetrap car designed for a distance competition. Photo courtesy of Benwildeboer. More than a mousetrap vehicle kit, this is a complete start-to-finish design activity. Although each design has their similarities, the two main designs for mousetrap cars are for long distance or speed. Mousetrap cars can vary in their designs.

The latest mousetrap car uses a foam block for a chassis, coat hanger wire for axles, and CD wheels. They must figure out how to get the energy out of the spring to drive the wheels. A review of fixed axles and free axles would be worthwhile. You can establish as many rules as you wish, however, the more constraints you place, the more you limit creativity. Science Subjects and Skills This project encourages students to show their creativity, create an original design to meet certain criteria, and test their designs.

Rationale The students will (1) develop a design for a mousetrap car that will travel at least meters given design criteria, and (2) construct their mousetrap car. If you want a wide range of designs and plans you can try this premium woodworking guide that features step by step guidance as well as instructional videos.

Typically, the materials needed include a body framework, axle rods, wheel and a length of string. Let us begin building our mousetrap car. MOUSETRAP CAR OBJECTIVES: The student will be able: To demonstrate proper and safe procedures while working with technological tools, apparatus, equipment, systems and materials.

To exhibit positive human relations and leadership skills. Placement of the mousetrap. Length of the snapper arm and the string. Size and type of wheels.

Your design decisions will depend on the goal. Designing a Mouse Trap Car. Beginning the mouse trap car was a little difficult. Having little background in design , this project challenged my creativity and resourcefulness on another . So, your science teacher has given your class the classic mousetrap car assignment: to make, design and build a sma.

Where STEM Meets the Road. A 3-D model is literally developed in .