Rube Goldberg Machine
Our Goal
A Rube Goldberg Machine uses a combination of several simple machines and energy transfers intertwined in a complex way to complete one minor task. Our assignment was to create one fully functional machine remotely that completed a smaller task at the end. We also needed a theme. The machine had to be split into three parts since we had to do this all through at-home learning. Below I've included the requirements, and many of these you will find in the slideshow.
Requirements
1. Introduction of yourselves, your theme, and your project.
2. Description of your 15 steps (5 per person)
3. 5 simple machines
4. 4 energy transfers
5. 3 elements of design
6. Video of your Rube Goldberg machine working
7. Calculations for each step
8. Construction log
9. Final blueprint
For the last four weeks, our team of three students (Darragh, Jake, and I) created a Rube Goldberg Machine in three different remote settings. We quickly agreed on the theme "around the world" for this project, and we incorporated it by passing through different places and landmarks that stood out to us. The places we portrayed in the project were the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, the Jungle, and for the finale, we took a dive into the ocean that brings them all together. Although getting ideas across through Zoom was definitely a challenge, we found solutions along the way that allowed us to collaborate effectively and make this wonderfully complicated Rube Goldberg Machine.
Construction Log/Timeline
WEEK ONE: We decided on our theme, created a cartoon showing the story, and drew the initial blueprints.
WEEK TWO: We finalized the blueprints, collected our different materials, and started to build the steps of our Rube Goldberg Machines.
WEEK THREE: We worked on the final steps of our machines, integrated the theme into the project using design elements and decorations, and made calculations for the velocity, acceleration, and mechanical advantage.
WEEK FOUR: We worked to perfect our machines and created a presentation that displayed our information. (slideshow, took pictures of different parts of our machine, and took the final videos of the project in action)
Major Concepts from the Project:
Velocity The rate at which something moves in a certain direction. Velocity is calculated by dividing distance by time. The unit is meters over seconds. v = d/t
Example: I measured the length of the inclined plane (0.09m), and then recorded the amount of time it took for the ball to roll down it (0.43s). I divided 0.09 by 0.43 and found the velocity 0.21m/s.
Acceleration The rate of change of velocity. Acceleration is calculated by dividing the change of velocity by the change of time. The unit is meters over seconds squared. a = v/t
Example: I found the acceleration of an inclined plane on step 5 of part one. The acceleration was 1.03 m/s2.
Force The push or pull an object can cause; a change in motion. The force is calculated by multiplying mass by acceleration. The units for this is Newtons (N). F = ma
Example: I calculated the force of the ball landing on the lever; 0.069 J.
Work The amount of energy put into doing something. Work is calculated by multiplying force and distance. The units for work are Joules (J). w = Fd
Example: Using the force from step 3 (0.069 J), I can find the work by multiplying that by the distance (0.04 m). The work for this step is 0.00276 J.
Potential Energy The energy an object has due to its position at a height or in a gravitational field. Potential Energy is calculated by multiplying mass, acceleration due to gravity, and height together. The units for this is Joules (J). PE = mgh
Example: The potential energy of the ball at the starting position of my machine was 0.0007 J.
Kinetic Energy Energy due to motion. This type of energy is calculated by multiplying mass by velocity squared and dividing it all by 2. The unit for kinetic energy is Joules (J). KE = 1/2mv^2
Example: I calculated the kinetic energy of the final step in my machine using the equation above. The final step's kinetic energy was 0.001 J.
Mechanical Advantage The two types of mechanical advantage are real and ideal. There is no unit for MA. Real mechanical advantage is how much easier (less force) a tool makes a task. Equation-- F(load)/F(effort)
Ideal mechanical advantage is how much farther (more distance) you have to push due to a tool. Equation-- d(effort)/d(load)
Example: (REAL) The pulley in my part on step 6 has a Mechanical Advantage of 2. This means the pulley made the task 2 times easier.
Simple Machines
A simple device that makes something easier. The 6 different simple machine are inclined planes, screws, levers, wheel and axles, pulleys, and wedges.
Example: In our Rube Goldberg Machine, we included 5 simple machines:
- Inclined Plane-
An inclined plane is a flat surface or ramp. One example is part one, step one.
- Screw-
A screw is an inclined plane wrapped around an axle. One example in our machine is part one, step two.
- Lever-
A lever is a plane rotating over a fixed point. One example in the machine is part one, step three.
- Wedge-
A wedge keeps the ball in place until it is removed. One example in the machine is where the second ball gets released in part one, step seven.
- Pulley-
A pulley is a wheel through which a cord passes to reduce the amount of force needed to lift/lower the load. One example in the machine is on part one, step 6.
- Wheel and Axle-
A wheel and axle uses less force on a small wheel to turn a larger cylinder or vice versa. We did not include a wheel and axle in our machine.
Initial Blueprint
In my initial blueprint I portrayed all of the main simple machines that I wanted to use with simple drawings, however it could have been more neat and spaced out.
These are the blueprints for my section of the machine; part one. The rest of the group's blueprints are included in the slideshow.
Final Blueprint
Here in my final blueprint I included a scale so that I could space everything out correctly and labeled everything clearly so that it is much more easy to follow. It is overall much more organized than the original.
Reflection
Although this first project was challenging, it pushed my group to be better overall when it comes to creativity and communication. I am proud of what we were able to complete through online learning. Personally, some strengths of mine in this group project were my work ethic and attitude. However, there are a few aspects I would like to improve in as well.
In the beginning of the project, all three of us were sort of closed off and hesitant to share ideas, but as we started the construction part of the project we all were more excited to talk about what we had to show for our individual parts. Throughout this process, we all adjusted to school on zoom and figured out ways to connect that worked for us.
One of my peaks over the last four weeks was my work ethic and productivity. From the start of the Rube Goldberg Machine planning, I was very thorough with the preparation of my materials and I laid out my ideas clearly. This made it easy for my to stay on track and be organized for each day we got to work. My work ethic and productivity was consistent from the building section all the way to the presentation, which is why I consider it one of my strengths.
My next strength in the group was my positive attitude and demeanor. Completing the construction and design element sections of this assignment proved to be very difficult since we each had separate machines, and we couldn't help each other with the physical project. Despite that, I felt that I was able to stay determined and give my team advice for their machines when they needed. Once we got to building our presentation, it was much easier to problem solve and communicate as a result of being able to actually see what everyone was working on.
The first piece I would like to refine is my leadership skills. I tend to let people do what they think is acceptable because I don't want to seem pushy, nevertheless it wouldn't have hurt to go over everyone's ideas and to make sure each part was the absolute best it could be. I will work to improve this aspect in the next project by making sure to repeatedly check in with everyone in the group to make sure they are doing their work effectively.
Another skill I would like to enhance is communicating all of my ideas. As I said in the Evidence of Work section, our group originally had a difficult time sharing out because we were just getting to know each other and didn't feel super comfortable with the new format. We would only share when absolutely necessary. Though we improved significantly throughout the month, for my next project I will try to be more vocal from day one.
