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.

Background Research

Materials needed

Materials Proposal List

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?

Photos

Movies

References

Complete Teacher's Guide

Grading Rubric