MPV project

WHY BUILD AN MPV?

Goals of the MPV project

1. To follow directions successfully and build a mousetrap-powered vehicle that moves at least 5 meters under its own power

2. To make connections between the construction and operation of the MPV with topics covered in class

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO BUILD A CAR

Construction/Operation Phase

Requirements:• Each student must build a car powered by a

rubber-band and a mousetrap that achieves a displacement of 5 meters on 2 separate runs.

• Although advice and materials may be sought from anywhere, each car should be built by only one student.

Grade Rubric for Construction Phase

50 points will be awarded for creation of an MPV that travels a displacement of 5 meters twice, under supervision

42 points will be awarded to the creators of an MPV that can only travel 5 meters once

38 points will be awarded to the creators of the car that can travel at least 3 inches under its own power.

0 points awarded if no car was never completed or run in front of the teacher, within the given time

Extra Credit

• 2 more points if the car moves past 20m, 68 blocks• 4 more points if the car moves past 30m, 102 blocks• 8 more points if the car moves past 50 m, 170 blocks• 16 more points if it moves past 100 m, 340 blocks

For the run to count, it must be observed by the teacher or an assigned watcher

Operation Phase• Each Student has to run their car at least 5 times AND

record the displacement AND time for each run.

• Calculate what is needed to complete chart

• Only one or two practice runs before students start recording data for their car.

• The 2 runs over 5 meters and any run that is worth bonus points must be included on the data sheet, so extend the chart onto other side if needed

Chart grade

• The completed chart will be included in the first homework grade

What jobs do the pieces perform?

Timing device

• Stopwatch (I only have a limited number that work)

• Stopwatch on phone

Mousetrap

• Used as body of basic car

• Major power-source.?

String or Rubber-bands …

• Connects body to axles

• The attachment and wrapping of the string/rubber-band around axle determines how length the car moves

Eye-screws

• Eye-screws are the best and easiest way to connect the axles to the body of the car

Pencils and dowel rods

• These are used to make the axles of the car

• Connects the wheels together

CD’s

• Serve as wheels for the car

• 2-3 wheels stuck together make better wheels

• Coffee lids, plastic plates, records, and pizza pans have all been used

Connectors

• Cardboard, washers, spools

• Used to make a stable connection between the wheel to the axle

• Spools work the best, but the others are good

Options

• Piece of wood

• Allows the eye screws to be screwed in rather glued and taped

• Allows use of bigger wheels

• Weight issues

• 6 inch Ruler

• Extends the mousetrap arm

• Makes car go father, but slower

Steps to assemble an MPV

Prepare the mousetrap to be the body of the car

Glue, tape eye-screws to body

Check fit and alignment of eyescrews

What was done wrong?

Make 2 fatter (power) wheels wheels

Connect wheel to spool

Connect one spooled wheel to axle

Use washers as connections

Use cardboard as connection

Slide axle through 2 eye-screws

Connect second wheel to axle

Repeat last steps for the other axle

Last steps

• Cut rubber band at one place

• Tie one end onto the top of mousetrap arm

• Lay the rubber band along the body of the car

• If loose edge of rubber-band extends beyond other axle, cut off excess

How to make a MPV car move

• Wrap string/rubber-band over it self on back axle

• The axle will unwind in the opposite direction it is wound

• Wind the rubber-band tight before you lift your mousetrap arm

Do NOT give the car

an added push!

Chart to be completed when running cars

Name: ___________

Class Period: ______

Displacement Measured in number of blocks

Displacement calculated in centimeters

Displacementcalculated in meters

TimeMeasured in seconds

Average VelocityMeasured in meters/second

1

2

3

4

5

Relationship between blocks and metric units

• Each block is about 29.5 cm long

• 100 cm = 1 meter