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Rube Goldberg machines were first started by a cartoonist named Rube Goldberg, who created complicated machines filled with odd steps to accomplish a simple task. These cartoons were soon realized in real life. Our project was a take on these machines that goes through holidays of the calendar, finishing off with the ball drop of New Years.
Construction Log
Blueprints
Our original blueprint had quite a bit more steps compared to the original. I'm very proud with the ideas we came up with for this blueprint, from the egg cracking open to a working leprechaun trap showed our creativity. Sadly, these ideas were not feasible, mainly due to plausibility concerns and time constraints. For example, there are too many variables for an egg to crack open to have it consistently work, especially with the tools ad time we had.
Although our final blueprint was much less exciting with its ideas, I enjoyed how systematic and clean it is. It's very clear how everything works, and each step does not leave too much room for fault. However, I am a bit disappointed that we did have to drop the step for thanksgiving; I really enjoyed what we had with the tricks done while being chased by a turkey ball.
Content
Velocity
Velocity is the speed of an object, as well as the direction of it. Velocity is calculated using the formula v=∆d/∆t, and is most commonly measured in m/s. In our project, we calculated that the average velocity of the ball going down the ramp in step 12 is 0.81m/s.
Acceleration
Acceleration is the rate at which a velocity changes. Acceleration is calculated with the formula a=∆v/∆t, and is measured in m/s^2. In our project, we calculated that the acceleration of the ball on the ramp in Step 5 before it hits the Easter egg is going at an acceleration of 0.37m/s^2
Force
Force is the push or pull of an object that causes change on that object. The formula used to calculate force is F=ma, and is measured most commonly in Newtons. In our project, we calculated the force Easter Egg exerted onto the door in Step 6 is 0.0027N.
Work
Work is the amount of energy exerted onto something. The formula used to calculate is W=Fd, and is measured in Joules. We did not calculate for work anywhere in our project.
Potential Energy
Potential Energy, specifically Potential Energy due to gravity is the energy an object has the ability to exert from its height. The formula used to calculate Potential Energy is PE=mg∆h, and it is measured in Joules. In our project, we calculated the Potential Energy of the first ramp to be 5.27J.
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic Energy is energy due to motion. The formula used to calculate Kinetic Energy is KE=(1/2)mv^2, and it is measured in Joules. Kinetic Energy also equals Potential Energy. We did not calculate Kinetic Energy explicitly, though by following the previous rule said, we could say the Kinetic Energy of the first ramp is also 5.27J.
Mechanical Advantage
There are two types of Mechanical Advantage: real Mechanical Advantage and ideal Mechanical Advantage. Real Mechanical Advantage is how much less force is needed to calculate a task. Ideal Mechanical Advantage is how much more distance you need to go. The formulas are Ma=F load / F effort and MA=d effort/d load. The ideal Mechanical Advantage of our funnel in St. Patrick's Day is 10.47.
Simple Machines
Lever
A lever is a platform sitting on top a fulcrum, with the load on one side and effort on the other. Step 2 is a lever, in the form of a seesaw.Inclined Ramp
A ramp is a slope that allows to take the Force over a longer distance. We used many ramps throughout the machine.Pulley
A pulley has a string, with the effort on one side and the load on the other, rest upon a circular object such that it allows for the string to move smoothly. We used a pulley in step 12, as a Halloween bucket.Screw
A screw is very similar to a ramp, only this time it rotates around. Our funnel in Step 4 is a screw.Wedge
A wedge is a triangular object that pushes the load away. How our Easter egg rests in Step 5 uses multiple wedges to do so.
Reflection
Our project was filled with many ups and downs. Overall, I enjoyed my journey building this product. However, I cannot say the same with the product itself, both the machine and the presentation.
I personally felt that I was a bit off task at some points of the project, my attention veering away from the task at hand. For the most part I was able to manage, but it cost me my ability to finish in a timely manner. Another issue I had was learning how to adapt to unexpected problems, and the will to change. I often got stuck on plans in the original blueprint because I did no know how to execute them, rather than just moving onto a similar solution. The consequence of this was a subpar and rushed product. In the future, I would like to think on the fly and learn to let go with previous ideas, as well as keep my focus to what is in front of me.
We worked really well with splitting up the work, and leaning to trust others to get the work done. when we were running out of time to finish the project, with split up the work; Ved and I on the machine, and Savannah and Rio on the presentation. That sense of trust really helped us succeed in the long run, and get an actual product. We also were able to communicate each well, following the instructions of others as well as discussing what we should do next.
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