Our class project was to make a vehicle that used an alternative energy source . We could make the vehicle use any type of energy except chemical nuclear and chemical. Our car needs to travel to a distance of 5 meters while holding two rolls of pennies as it's passengers. We came up with an idea that we would slingshot our car using rubber bands and screws that were connected to a plank of wood and the Vehicle. For the body of the car we used a PVC pipe which perfectly fits the rolls of pennies, so It could be the perfect amount of passenger space. We then used two more PVC pipes to be horizontal underneath the car containing wooden dowels through it to connect to the wheels and be rotational for a circular movement. We also used CD's because they fit perfectly onto the dowels.

Slideshow presentation

Calculations

Spring Potential Energy: Spring PE is the energy in an object that can be deformed in a way that can translate that potential energy to kinetic. The equation for it is 1/2kx^2. The unit for it is joules (J).

Gravitational Potential Energy: Gravitational PE is the energy stored up in an object due to where it is in a gravitational field. The equation for it is mass x gravity x height (mgh). The unit for it is joules (J).

Kinetic Energy: Kinetic energy is the energy of any object in motion which means that any object in motion possesses KE. The equation for it is 1/2 mv^2. The unit for it is joules (J).

Total Energy: Total energy is just the sum of the kinetic energy and the potential energy. The unit for it in joules (J).

Thermal Energy: Thermal energy is the inner energy of an object caused from the kinetic energy of its molecules and atoms. The equation for it is total energy - potential energy - kinetic energy. The unit for it is joules (J).

Rotational Inertia: Rotational inertia is the power a certain object that can be rotated. It is a value that can show how hard it is to rotate that specific object.

Reflection

My group and I worked very well on this project and accomplished the tasks done quick and efficiently. Our vehicle worked every time and it was a simple and easy to understand concept. I believe that I had good critical thinking this project. I think my collaboration was good because showed my teammates things we need added to have everyone in the loop . I believe that my critical thinking was great because I did a lot of problem-solving and did most of our engineering on the vehicle .

I think event though I got done what I needed I could've mad our vehicle a bit more creatively pleasing. I was thinking of new ideas of making the car look colorful in some way. I think I could've been more quick to create a design appeal through a paint job but my teammates said it wasn't necessary. I just believe that I could've been more open on this project and I'll work on that with future groups. Overall, the group worked well together and was very productive within a small amount of time.