Alternative energy vehicle

Our task

After completing the trabuchete part of this two part assignment, we were then tasked with building an alternative energy car(not chemical or nuclear). The goal was for it to be able to go 5 meters and stop exactly at said point, while carrying two rolls of pennies(250 grams). After the goal was completed we were then supposed to pitch our alternative energy to Hyundai(Mr. Williams).

IMG_3770.mov

Alternative Energy Vehicle Presenatation

Oliver Pool - Alternative Energy Vehicle Presentation

hellcat 2.0

My group and I decided that it would be best if we had our power source as rubber bands. Another group member and I had done something similar in 8th grade, so we figured it would make the process easier and we could do it better with the info from last time.

We then ended up with a car that ran on three rubber bands tied together that would hook onto a nail across the car. This would allow for the other end of the rubber band to roll around the axle which would cause Potential Energy to build up, that would then roll the axle when released. Causing all the Potential Energy to turn into Kinetic energy, which would roll the wheel that was attached to the axle. This final draft of our Hellcat 2.0 allowed it to max out at 4 Meters. Although we would have liked it to hit 5, we were cutting it close with time. And after talking to Mr. Williams, and Mrs. Patel we figured it was good enough and went on with the presentation part of the project.

This can be seen on the video to the left along with our presentation to Hyundai, and our spread sheet with all the data for our cars 4 meter run.

Concepts

Spring Potential Energy:

Spring potential energy is the energy that is stored in some sort of spring/ elastic item by pulling on it or pushing it. The equation for it is PE=1/2kx^2, and is used to create energy in our car and release it as kinetic energy which spins our wheels.

Gravitational Potential Energy:

This is the amount of energy an object has due to its position in a gravitational field. Gravitational PE has the equation of PEg=mgh, and was constantly pulling our car down allowing it to roll.

Kinetic Energy:

This is the energy due to motion, and has an equation of KE= 1/2mv^2. This was used when our PE spring was released into Kinetic Energy causing our wheels to rotate which moved the car.

Total Energy:

This is the total energy exerted in a period of time, and is the sum of potential, kinetic, and thermal energy.

Thermal energy:

Thermal energy is the amount of energy that is lost due to heat friction. This is shown in the Hellcat 2.0 since not all the energy is converted into the car.

Velocity:

Velocity is the rate of distance covered in a certain direction, and has the equation of V=∆d/∆t. This was shown in our car by how fast it was going.

Rotational Inertia:

Rotational Inertia is how an object is able to stay rotation, and how hard it is to change its speed. This is used on the cars wheels allowing it to speed up and slow down.

Energy Vs Time graph

Acceleration Vs Time graph

Velocity Vs Time graph

Distance Vs Time graph

As you can see on some of the graphs, after our car hits its max of 4 meters it still has some slack left. Which allowed it to go backwards, causing some of the graphs to have it going into the negatives.

Reflection

Overall I believe that this Alternative Energy project was a great success, and my team and I did a great job. I think I did very well on communicating, since I was able to get my ideas across clearly to my group. And was also able to give directions well. On top of that I think I collaborated very well since I did a lot of my groups work on the car, and on the slideshow as well.

However there were some areas that I think I could have improved on. One of those being my critical thinking and problem solving. I feel that I could have worked a bit harder on trying to get my car to 5 meters, and that if I had a problem solved a bit better I would have had a better outcome. I also think that I could have had a better character throughout the project. Since I felt I got a bit mad at times when I shouldn't have. But instead stepped back and cooled down before continuing with my work. Nonetheless though I think this project taught me many useful things, like data taking, energy transfers, and many other useful STEM topics.

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