How is a mousetrap car powered?
A basic mousetrap car is powered by attaching a string to the “snap” lever on the trap, looping the other end to a small hook on the axle, winding the string around the axle of the car pulling back on the lever and arming it.
How does a mousetrap use potential and kinetic energy?
When a mousetrap is set, the spring in the center is compressed, becoming a source full of potential energy. This energy is being stored, not used, but as soon as the trap is released, it is converted to kinetic energy (the energy of motion) that propels the snapper arm forward.
How does a mousetrap car work physics?
The mousetrap storespotential energyin the form of the spring. That potential energy is converted into kinetic energy in the form of the arm rotating forward. The arm pulls on the wound-up string, which turns the drive wheel dowel, which is connected to the wheels, which makes the car drive forward.
How do you make a mousetrap car go further?
Using large rear wheels allow one rotation of the axle to take the car a much further distance. In other words, a given length of the string from the mousetrap moves the car a greater distance. The last note is to place your mousetrap as close to the front of the car as possible.
What kind of string is best for a mousetrap car?
The string has to be strong enough to handle the pulling force but flexible and thin enough to wind tightly around the drive axle. We recommend using a Kevlar based fishing line because its high strength. You should stay away from nylon fishing line and dental floss, these do not work well with mousetrap racers.
How does Newton’s 2nd law apply to a mousetrap car?
Newtons second law of motion will affect our mousetrap car because the more the car weighs the slower it goes. But the less the car weighs the faster it will go because it has less mass so it doesn’t take a big amount of force to move it. – Newtons third law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
What is the purpose of mousetrap car?
A mousetrap car uses the stored energy of a mousetrap spring to generate forward motion. In competitions, the goal of the mousetrap car is to achieve as much forward motion as possible, on a flat surface and/or on an inclined surface. In other words, the goal is to maximize the distance traveled on both these surfaces.
What is friction and how does it affect a car?
Friction may slow the car down as it moves along the road, but it also is the force that enables the car to move forward at all. It is the friction force that keeps the tires from sliding on the road. So, it is the force of friction that makes a car accelerate forward and also decelerate to a stop.
Do tire treads reduce friction?
The tire tread also contributes to increased friction, as they are designed to have the necessary friction for safe driving, so as not to slip, especially at high speeds. In such cases, the friction caused by the design of the tire tread profile prevents slipping.
What are three examples of using friction?
Everyday Examples of Sliding Friction
- Rubbing both hands together to create heat.
- A sled sliding across snow or ice.
- Skis sliding against snow.
- A person sliding down a slide is an example of sliding friction.
- A coaster sliding against a table.
- A washing machine pushed along a floor.
- An iron being pushed across material.
What is friction explain with an example?
Friction acts as a resisting force which is generated , when two solid surfaces slide against one another. Examples :- <> For walking , there is a friction between our shoes / feet . <>There is a friction between the tires of a vehicle and between the road.
What are some examples of harmful friction?
HARMFUL FRICTION
- Slipping on ice.
- Wet roads.
- Mudslides.
What is disadvantage of friction?
Three disadvantages of friction are :
- Friction produces heat which damages the moving parts of a machine.
- Friction produces wear and tear on the contacting surfaces. This reduces the life of machine parts, tyres and shoe soles.
- A lot of energy is wasted in overcoming the friction before an object starts moving.
What are 3 ways you can reduce friction?
Methods for decreasing friction:
- Make the surfaces smoother. Rough surfaces produce more friction and smooth surfaces reduce friction.
- Lubrication is another way to make a surface smoother.
- Make the object more streamlined.
- Reduce the forces acting on the surfaces.
- Reduce the contact between the surfaces.
What are the methods used to reduce friction?
By polishing the surface, as polishing makes the surface smooth and friction can be reduced. Using lubricants such as oil or grease can reduce the friction between the surfaces. When objects are rolled over the surface, the friction between the rolled object and surface can be reduced by using ball bearings.
What can stop friction?
There are several ways to reduce friction:
- The use of bearing surfaces that are themselves sacrificial, such as low shear materials, of which lead/copper journal bearings are an example.
- Replace sliding friction with rolling element friction, such as with the use of rolling element bearings.