What is a Rube Goldberg Machine?

A Rube Goldberg Machine is a complex machine that contains multiple steps in a consecutive order to complete a task. The machine operates in a sequence of steps that transfer energy into other parts of the machine, for example levers, pulleys, buttons, and addition simple machines to convey the final task.

Work 

The work I contributed on my Rube Goldberg Machine was trying to help with calculations and making the blueprints. I also helped fix and clean up the slides so they would look more polished and presentable. I also made sure that everyone in the group was working together and not letting one person take control of everything and everyone. To help my group members I worked on the building component. I helped cut wood, paint things, and hot glue items that were components to our machine. 

Content 

Acceleration - The acceleration is when the rate changes into velocity. This is calculated by velocity divided by time. The unit for acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s^2). Ex: When the car rolled down the ramp it accelerated due to the angle of the ramp.

Velocity - the rate of change of position  in a direction. This is calculated by dividing distance by time. The unit is meters per second (m/s).  Ex: The marble rolled at a velocity of 1 m/s

Force - The push or pull on an object. This is calculated by multiplying mass by acceleration. The unit is newtons (N). Ex: The force the car applies on the marble is 0.117N

Potential Energy - The amount of energy in an object at rest. This is calculated by multiplying mass, height, and acceleration. The unit is joules (J).  Ex: The PE of the car is 0.24J

Kinetic Energy -  The amount of energy in an object in motion. This is calculated by multiplying half of the mass to the velocity squared (1/2mv^2). The unit is joules (J). Ex: The final KE of the ball is 0.005 J

Acceleration due to gravity - The rate at which something changes velocity due to gravity. This value is always 9.8m/s^2. Ex: every object that would free fall would accelerate at 9.8m/s^2.

Mechanical Advantage - There are two types of mechanical advantage: ideal and real. Ideal is how much further you push using a tool, and real is how much easier (less Force) a tool makes something. This has no unit since it's a ratio. Ex: The MA of the wedge is 3.

Simple Machines - A basic device that makes an objective easier. There are 6 types: lever, wedge, screw, wheel and axle, pulley, and inclined plane. Ex: To raise one of the wood ramps a marble rolled into a pulley system to raise the ramp.

Energy Transfer -The transfer of one energy to another. Ex: The balls KE is converted into PE as it hovers above the fairway incline.

Reflection

I am happy with how our Rube Goldberg Machine turned out. My group and I faced some hardships while working on the project, the outcomes were sometimes okay and other times led to anger and stress. My group and I were able to collaborate well on the project but also had a good time working with one another. Two things that I learned about myself while working on this project was, I work well with other people  when it comes to group work, and I know how to communicate to others. Two challenges that I think I could work on is including myself more in the group and share my ideas.