Hybrid Car Battery Design
For this project, a group of four had to create and design a hybrid car prototype that uses an alternate source of energy that will make the car go precisely five meters. The first idea we took into hands was a solar-powered car, but that wasn't going to happen. After we tried making a spring-powered car hat worked but, didn't go the five meters required. Finally, our group decided to make the car propelled by the energy of a rubber band spun around its axle. As simple as it sounds, it worked very well.
To make the car, we used very cheap and strong cardboard, and small, long wood post-like pieces that lay under the cardboard to put the axles. The axles came from a toy set, made of plastic, as well as the wheels used. Lastly, with lots of unsuccessful search we found a long and strong rubber band that allowed us to complete our goal.
To make the car, we used very cheap and strong cardboard, and small, long wood post-like pieces that lay under the cardboard to put the axles. The axles came from a toy set, made of plastic, as well as the wheels used. Lastly, with lots of unsuccessful search we found a long and strong rubber band that allowed us to complete our goal.
Physics Concepts covered-
Velocity- We used a velocity vs. time graph to show how fast our car was going through each of the five meters.
Acceleration- Another graph shown was the acceleration vs. time graph. It showed when our car sped up or decelerated.
Potential Energy , Kinetic Energy, and Thermal Energy- Our final graph explained how our car had the potential energy to go five meters, the kinetic energy that it used to get it five meters, and it stopped due to thermal energy caused by friction.
Spring Constant- The energy and force stored in a particular spring, or for us, a rubber band.
Reflection-
The project went pretty smooth, as planned. We met our deadline, although we didn't have a well prepared presentation with it. Two things our group did well was meet our deadline and create good ideas. Two things we could of done better is cooperate more in terms of who dos what during working hours and focus mainly on just the project itself.
Velocity- We used a velocity vs. time graph to show how fast our car was going through each of the five meters.
Acceleration- Another graph shown was the acceleration vs. time graph. It showed when our car sped up or decelerated.
Potential Energy , Kinetic Energy, and Thermal Energy- Our final graph explained how our car had the potential energy to go five meters, the kinetic energy that it used to get it five meters, and it stopped due to thermal energy caused by friction.
Spring Constant- The energy and force stored in a particular spring, or for us, a rubber band.
Reflection-
The project went pretty smooth, as planned. We met our deadline, although we didn't have a well prepared presentation with it. Two things our group did well was meet our deadline and create good ideas. Two things we could of done better is cooperate more in terms of who dos what during working hours and focus mainly on just the project itself.