CO2 car

Introduction

Auto racing is an expensive and technically complex hobby, but it can be just as fun when it's scaled down to where the car can fit in your hand. Pneumatic dragster racing lets you do just that -- build a tiny race car that looks amazing, can move at incredible speeds and incorporates many of the same principles as a full-sized, real car. Pneumatic simply means compressed air powered. This project will also put your skills and knowledge of science to the test. Think you have what it takes to build a fast, cool-looking Pneumatic dragster? Let's find out!

How will this project work?

Your dragster should be designed with a practical, aerodynamic shape, modeled after an actual race car or given a crazy, eye-catching appearance that you have the skills and tools to construct. Paint, decals and add-ons are common ways to decorate them. Previous students have modeled their dragsters after Formula 1 cars, NASCAR racers or even the Batmobile. Be creative! A door stop is not a car.

The best way to design a car is to follow the design process; research, brainstorm, draw up your plans and then build a prototype. Then using your prototype, test it with compressed air power. Next analyze it's performance. We will test the cars against others in the class in our final week of the semester.

As with the previous projects, the evaluation will have a "portfolio" component and a "project" component. Your project evaluation will include a summary of your research on the compressed air dragster (such as the physics of the cars motion, methods of construction, ways to make it go further (or faster). This will go in your research page. Under the planning page, you will need sketchup plans - as in your other projects - as well as a procedure list for the building. Use sketchup to show the car's construction and also paint scheme, design features, details, etc. Your production page should document your building, testing and design process. Finally, in the reflection page, describe the results of your prototype testing and clearly indicate any changes you will make as you undertake the final (second) car. You can then summarize what you learned from the entire project.

Remember, the Pneumatic car you're designing is a dragster -- meaning, a streamlined car that competes in drag racing, a sport where two or more vehicles compete to see who can move in a straight line the fastest.

Do you think you have a good design for your car? What makes a good car? Think critically!

Let's investigate some of the physics and science behind how these cars work.

You must complete this project entirely in class, with the tools and materials in our shop.