Fast Car Project
Evidence of work
In this project, we went through a staged process of finding more out about forces. In part 1, we observed what forces do to objects. In part 2, we learned and proved Newton's Second Law of Motion (F=ma). In part 3, we tested the coefficient of friction. In part 4, we tested forces on slopes and inclines. In part 5, we made a vehicle that was to have a lot of forces added to it.
During this project, our car changed a lot. We went from just a binder to a tri-wheeled rubber launcher. Our results were instantaneous. we first tried string under tension but we got very little acceleration out of that. We replaced the string with a rubber band and instantly our vehicle flies by.
Below is the presentation. We went through each part of the project and explained our findings.
There is no video of our car in motion, sadly, but there is a lot of valuable information within the slides.
Below is a spreadsheet of all the acceleration data and all the graphs corresponding to each trial. There is over 30000 data points. Sheet 1 is the raw data. Chart 1 through Chart 3 are the graphs corresponding to each trial.
Content
Velocity - The speed of an object in a given direction. We used this in our project when finding the acceleration and noting the top speed of the vehicle. We have also used this principle in engineering, with our Gait Analysis project.
Acceleration - The rate of change of the velocity of an object. We used this in our project when we calculated the force and analyzed its acceleration graphically. We have also used this principle in engineering, with our Gait Analysis project.
Free fall - A downward movement under the force of gravity only (on Earth it's 9.8m/s^2). We did not use this in our project, however, the force of gravity was important when finding the force normal. We have also used this principle in engineering, in our heart valve project.
Newton's Law of Inertia - An object at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by an outside force, and an object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by an outside force. We used this in our project in part 5, when we wanted to speed up our product to add more outside forces. We have also used this principle in conceptual physics.
Newton's Second Law - Force is equal to mass times acceleration. We used this in our entire project. We needed to use this equation for finding almost every force. We have also used this principle in conceptual physics.
Newton's Law of Action and Reaction - When two bodies interact, they apply forces to one another that are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. We used this in our project when we added forces in part 5. We have also used this principle in conceptual physics.
Weight - The force that an object exerts downwards, equal to the mass times the force of gravity. We used this in our project when we detailed the force normal and force down the car had. We have also used this principle in everyday life, as I weigh myself a lot to gauge my weight.
Normal Force - Opposite to the force of weight but always equal in magnitude, keeps objects from falling through the ground, through another surface, etc. We used this in our project when showing our force diagrams and showing how our vehicle remained stable on the ground. We have also used this principle in everyday life, when we stand, or do anything for that matter, there is a normal force acting opposite to our weight.
Friction - The force required to initiate or to maintain relative motion against friction. We used this in our project when we were calculating without negligence to friction. This is so we get more real results and not theoretical results. We have also used this principle in many tasks. Friction helps us walk, drive, keep things still, gain traction, etc.
Air Resistance/Drag - A force that is caused by air that acts in the opposite direction to an object moving through the air which slows the object down. We did not use this physics principle in our project. We have also used this principle in working out, when running with a parachute strapped to my back.
Thrust - The force which moves an object forwards through the air. We used this in our project when calculating how much the rubber band launched the vehicle forward. We have also used this principle in nothing much else but I have seen this force in the rocket launches of SpaceX.
Tension - A force developed in a rope, string, or cable when stretched under an applied force. We used this physics principle in our project when we stretched the rubber bands into launch position. We have also used this principle in baseball, when we use bands to warm up our shoulder.
Circular motion - A movement of an object along the circumference of a circle or rotation along a circular path. We did not use this physics principle in our project. We have also used this principle when we turn in our cars.
Gravitational Potential Energy (Ug) - The stored energy held by an object because of its position above the ground. We did not use this physics principle in our project. We have also used this principle when jumping off of things.
Kinetic Energy (K) - Energy which a body possesses by virtue of being in motion. Though we did not use this physics principle in our project, there was kinetic energy while the vehicle was in motion. We have also used this principle in everything we do everyday.
Thermal Energy (Eth) - Internal energy present in a system by virtue of its temperature. Though we did not use this physics principle in our project, there was thermal energy on the ground due to friction. We have also used this principle when we rub our hands together when it is too cold. The friction and thermal energy heats up your hands.
Reflection
One thing that I thought I did really good at was communication. I feel I was very strong at presenting. I was also very happy to create visuals and make presentations and lab reports more interactive. I like designing things to appeal to the reader and audience more because it helps them retain more information and stay engaged with what is being said. I also think making designs was worth it because it improved grades on assignments. One example is on the Kelp at the Beach project. The theme for the presentation was the theme of a tropical, beach-like environment. I also added animations and Google drawings. I tried to add music but failed in execution. Another thing I thought I did really well was my character. I feel that I did the bulk of the work in all my groups. This may be because I am a strong leader and I am stubborn, which is one thing I could work on. But I also thought this shows that I keep myself accountable and helps out my teammates. This also helped me in the long run because it gave me extra practice for tests, which I ended up getting pretty good grades on.
One thing I felt I could work on is collaboration. Though I do help my group a lot, I feel I may be impatient and stubborn in the process. This impatience probably comes off as rude and may turn them off from contributing further. I need to work on slowing down. I also need to work on including everyone to help them in the future, when there are solo assignments. Another thing I felt I could work on is time management. This is a problem I've worked to overcome in all my years of high school. I have slightly improved on it this year because I have had no missing assignments this year. But I know the procrastinator inside me is still there because I do the bulk of the work on the last day, as opposed to splitting it up among the days. What I could do to work on this is set more due dates for myself but on sections of the product.