Newton's 3rd Law Cars-Egg Car Crash (Rosalyn Montgomery)
Author(s)
Rosalyn Montgomery, Emerson Community Charter Middle School
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea Standards
MS-PS2-1. Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.
MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
MS-ETS1-4. Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
NGSS Engineering Standards
PROBLEM - Engineer a gravity powered car to safely transport eggs along a straight path at the highest possible speed and lowest possible mass. No mechanisms to propel or accelerate the vehicle may be used other than the pull of gravity down the ramp. Cars must be able to move down the provided ramp with raw eggs as passengers and withstand multiple crashes with a solid barrier at the end of the ramp.
Explain the problem that is to be addressed; DESIGN - Describe what students are to design. Include a description of criteria for success, and constraints; OPTIMIZATION - Specify the process of optimization.
Materials needed
Legal Building materials:
All adhesives are legal
Cardboard
K-nex pieces
Foam boards
Craft sticks
Skewers
Straws
Toothpicks
Bass or Balsa Craft Wood (No more than ¼ inch thick)
Eyelet screws
Screws, Bolts, Nuts, Washers
Rubber bands
String
Cushioning materials
All materials must be pre-approved by Ms. Montgomery
Illegal Materials:
Legos or Lego parts of any kind
Pre-manufactured containers
Pre-manufactured plastic containers
Pre-made car bases
Pre-made cars
Pre made wheel and axles
One Group Member 1 Egg
Two Group Members 2 Eggs
Three Group Members 3 Eggs
Size: The dimensions of the vehicle with the eggs on board must not exceed 20 cm wide x 40 cm long x 30 cm high
Car Must have Four Wheels that roll
Eggs must be visible from the front and sides of the cars just like windows on a car.
Car must be modeled like a Sedan
Procedure
Reseach how cars work (Do the background Research Form and watch the Understanding Car Crashes video)
Submit a Materials List
Plan, Sketch and Design the Car
Build and test car. Change one variable at a time to measure its impact on the overall performance of the car.
Questions
What determines if one car has more momentum than another in a collision with the wall?
Does increasing an object’s mass increase its momentum?
How does Newton's Laws explain the effectiveness of seat belts and airbags?
