Use a small diameter carpenter's nail set to lightly drive the axles so they bottom out in the axle groove. I especially liked the part where the professor was able to have one marble orbit the other while the first was orbiting the weight located in the center of the sheet of spandex. Do you think the car will go faster when it's moving down a ramp, than when it's rolling across a flat surface? Ensure that it is consistent and accurate. In your data table, be sure to include the time at which you took the measurement one tick, or 1 sec along with the distance. The answer will depend on your ramp design and vehicle. Repeat the experiment with various sizes of clay balls attached to the top of the straw and observe the results.
Literally it was a quick sketch I scribbled on the back of some paper hurriedly plucked from the recycling box to demonstrate the principle to my sons. Do Background Research Watch YouTube videos, like , , or , to see ramps other kids have made and how they use them with their Hot Wheels cars. Determine which ramp produced the highest average speed. Works beautifully along with the interactive site listed above in number 4. The gun would be close to the same except using a straw and stick instead of pvc with regular rubber bands. You mentioned it can only move by elastic or gravitation forces, but, not if the projectile firing was also limited to that.
They are usually very round and free of defects. You can test this theory by putting a small object, like a penny, on the car. Unbalanced cars are also unstable on the race track. How far will the weight need to fall to make the rope travel that distance? A good scientist takes care of his equipment. Edit: I'm editing out the last thing I wrote, because I think it gives too much away that you should be figuring out for yoruself.
Try different shapes and sizes of balloons to see if the results are different. Do Background Research Watch YouTube videos, like , to see ramps other kids have made and how they use them with their Hot Wheels cars. Mount the pvc pipe, then place the firing pin inside it held snugly inserted by the rubber band. This experiment can also be done outside with rocks and a large area of mud. Friction is your enemy when it comes to axles. That means you can cut wheels from any flat material that doesn't flex too much. Also consider how you want it to look, and what you can afford.
The simplest design would be a flat ramp, without any curve. I was thinking build a base for the car with a tall pole sticking out and have two pulleys. How many turns of rope will you need? Also, you can use the system that is used on pool chairs, although it may be more complex to build. Suspend the ruler from two stacks of blocks, books, or other materials. I think an airsoft gun would work, actually. Construct a Hypothesis Make your best guess about what will happen when you make your own ramps, and which ramp will allow your car to go the fastest.
Put a straw on a piece of kite string and tie it to the chairs. Did you predict the right answer? Yes, that's why I'm trying to find ways to minimize mass as much as possible. Balance - The weight of the car needs to be as balanced as possible. This bi-weekly show from the producers of Crash Course is all about gradeschool science. The action of the wheels, or bottom of car, against the surface causes friction, and eventually, the car will stop moving.
How many of these distance units does the marble travel by the second tick? In this episode of Crash Course Kids, Sabr. If a car has a long wheelbase and narrow track it is usually very stable but slow to change direction. Apply it any place where one moving part touches a stationary object. Find out by doing this experiment. If you grind the head of the nail so it flares away from the nail shaft, this means there will be less friction where the nail head touches the wheel. While only slightly more complicated than the string method, it is more consistent.
Use the smooth side of another ruler for this project, along with a small wood block, a piece of construction paper, sandpaper, aluminum foil and waxed paper. As the wheels rotate the rotating motion is transferred in to horizontal motion of a wing nut moving it along the axle. Let's do an experiment and find out. Right now, I just want to know some possible ideas and materials to use, because I'm having trouble even starting the assignment. Some of the ramps in these videos are short, and some of them are tall. If the car is deemed overweight at the check-in, you can shave off lead from this area.
Need more hands-on science ideas? Comparing rules, the maximum allowable vehicle lengths specified range from 2300mm to 2500mm. Cut off the bottom half-inch of a long candle to expose the wick. I was looking at different styles of cars. Repeat this at least three times, carefully recording your data each time. Never leave your child unattended. This will allow you to keep dirt and dust from affecting the stopping ability of your vehicle.
This will help explore the concepts that incline planes make it easier to lift things and that machines make work easier. As mass is a lot of the score. Currently the figure is sitting at 19. I wanted them to think problems through and apply their theories to a practical application. Use the needle to balance the candle on the lip of two glasses.