How To Create A Long Car
My car utilizes the energy stored within a stretched rubber band, and converts it into rotational kinetic energy, which moves the wheels forward. 2 non-motile rods were placed on the front of the chassis to maintain tension in the rubber bands, and allow the rubber band to retract as it leaves the axle, preventing it from limiting axle motion. The CD wheels on the rear of the vehicle allow a larger displacement per axle rotation, meaning the car will be able to travel a farther distance. Vinyl tape was used on the rear wheels, in order to maximize traction with the ground, and prevent wheel spin. The aluminum can that was used as the chassis was a malleable, yet durable, low mass material which aided the function of my car. Plastic washers were used on both axles, as guides to prevent horizontal sway as the car was in motion, allowing the car to travel in a straight path. The bottle caps used on the back axle prevented wheel oscillation, by making the wheels near perpendicular to the ground.
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I decided to create a long car, in order to maximize tension within the rubber band. I chose to make it wheel driven because this option maximizes the efficiency of the transfer of elastic energy to kinetic. Other methods waste more energy to friction, or prevent stability by using all the energy at the same time. The wheel driven method allows the long term release of the stored energy making it more efficient.
2. My rubber bands were looped together in a
I decided to create a long car, in order to maximize tension within the rubber band. I chose to make it wheel driven because this option maximizes the efficiency of the transfer of elastic energy to kinetic. Other methods waste more energy to friction, or prevent stability by using all the energy at the same time. The wheel driven method allows the long term release of the stored energy making it more efficient.
2. My rubber bands were looped together in a