Air Powered Speedster

Goal: To design, build, and optimize an air-powered car to achieve the fastest possible speed over a 100-foot track, utilizing your skills in mathematics, technology, science, creativity, and design.

The Challenge:

Your task is to engineer and construct a self-propelled vehicle powered solely by compressed air. You will use a provided wood blank for the chassis, along with wheels, axles, and various tools and machines available in the workshop. The performance of your air-powered car will be rigorously tested over a 100-foot track, with the launching air pressure ranging from 15 to 50 PSI. Your goal is to design a car that can achieve the highest possible average speed across this distance.

Design Constraints:

• Power Source: The car must be propelled only by compressed air from a designated launcher. No other power sources are permitted.

• Materials: The primary chassis must be constructed from the provided wood blank. You may use the provided wheels and axles. Additional materials for components like air tanks, nozzles, and structural supports must be approved by the teacher and used judiciously.

• Size Limitations: The car must fit within a maximum dimensional envelope (e.g., length, width, height).

• Safety: The design must be safe to operate and launch. Any designs deemed unsafe will not be tested.

• Testing Parameters: All official speed trials will be conducted over a 100-foot track with the air pressure set within the 15 to 50 PSI range (specific PSI for each test will be determined).

• Documentation: You must meticulously document your design process, material choices, construction methods, and testing procedures.