Alternative Energy Vehicle
Project Description
Our project was to present one vehicle that traveled 5 meters exactly without using chemical or electric energy. The car also had to transport 2 rolls of pennies (250 kg) and keep them safe the whole way. The team assigned was the same as the last project; Lindsey, Sola, and Aidan. Then, we needed to back up our presentation with physics calculations. Our group of four each made different vehicles since we completed this project remotely, but we only had to present one to Hyundai.
Evidence of Work
The Team Car
My Car
This is my car. It did not quite reach 5 meters so our group went with a different car prototype to present to Hyundai. To make it,
I first created a blue print of everything I would be using so I could have a plan.
Then, I tried to run the car with a wooden base, but it barely moved since it was so heavy.
I cut the base of the car out of cardboard since it is a light material.
The axle was made out of plastic markers.
I used paper clips to connect the axle to the base so there would be a low amount of friction.
I attached the wheels to the axle with hot glue, and the wheels were made of cardboard and CDs.
I added a ruler raised on a clay block so the rubber bands had more room to stretch and could pull the axle further along, but I think the clay may have added to large of an extra weight.
The pennies were held under the rubber band and they stayed there pretty securely.
Content
Key Concepts
Spring Potential Energy
Energy stored in an object due to expansion or compression. This type of energy was shown in our vehicle from the expansion with the rubber bands. The spring PE for our vehicle at 0 seconds was 7.044 J. aka Elastic Potential Energy
Unit: Joules (J)
Gravitational Potential Energy
Energy in an object has due to its position at a height or in a gravitational field. Our vehicle did not use this type of energy.
Unit: Joules (J)
Kinetic Energy
Energy due to motion. Our max KE was 0.249 J at 0.85 seconds. We used the equation KE = 1/2mv^2
Unit: Joules (J)
Total Energy
All of the energies together. Total energy = max PE at zero seconds. The total energy was 7.044 J.
Unit: Joules (J)
Thermal Energy
Energy transferred to heat. The thermal energy was 1.903 J at 0.85 seconds.
Unit: Joules (J)
Distance vs Time
Our Distance vs Time graph shows how many meters something travels for each second. Our graph is to the right.
Unit: Distance is measured in meters (m) Time is measured in seconds (s)
Velocity vs Time
Our Velocity vs Time graph shows how the rate at which something travels changes over a period of time. Graph on the right
Unit: Velocity is measured in meters per second (m/s) Time is measured in seconds (s)
Rotational Inertia
Rotational inertia is a property of any object which can be rotated.
Reflection
Overall, I feel this project was pretty successful for our team. We improved substantially from the previous project we had together in communication and leadership. However, this caused a few issues with conflicting opinions.
The communication and leadership in our group was great throughout this project. In past years I have not been good about speaking up and sharing my ideas, however this year I've been much more vocal and it has been beneficial when working in groups like this. In addition, everyone in our group was able to take leadership in different conversations and grow in that area as well. When anyone felt like we were getting off topic, someone would speak up and made us refocus. This has also been a weakness of mine, but I definitely showed more skills of a leader during this time period.
Although our group proved to be very effective in some areas, a few occasions we had conflicts of interest and distractions among the group. All of the members of this team could be stubborn at times, which sometimes made it difficult to move forward with specific parts the project and presentation. That being said, most times we were able to work it out and make compromises.