Hybrid Car
Our goal for this project was to create a small car prototype that ran on an alternative energy source (not electricity or gasoline). I worked with Casey, Jessica, and Isabella. We decided to make a car that was powered by a rubber band.
Content
Spring potential energy- Energy stored in a spring (in our case, a rubber band) when you pull or push it. The rubber band in our car was an example of spring potential energy. It had potential energy when it was pulled tight, and that energy was converted to kinetic as is unwound.
Kinetic Energy- Energy due to motion. This is the energy that results from the rubber band uncoiling and propelling the car forward.
Thermal energy- Energy lost due to friction (heat). Friction is what made the car stop at five meters instead of continuing forever.
Spring Constant- The measure of how much a spring wants to pull back together (the rigidity of the spring). We calculated the spring constant of our rubber band by dividing the force of the rubber band by the distance it traveled.
Distance vs. Time- a graph we used to determine velocity, since velocity is distance divided by time.
Reflection
One thing that went well during this project was our teamwork. The four of us are also friends outside of class, and that really helped with how we worked together. For example, we didn't argue about small things like some of my previous groups have. Also, we were able to communicate better because we've known each other for so long. Another thing that went well was our Google Slides presentation. We had enough time to practice it several times before the presentation day, and as a result, it went very smoothly. The presentation also had good graphics, and it looked very nice.
One thing that went badly was our time management. We spent a little too much time on the presentation, so we had to come in at lunch to decorate the car. It was supposed to be painted and covered in sequins, but it din't get painted, and there were only scattered sequins. Another thing that went badly was that we tested the car too many times, and that stretched out our rubber band. We had to replace it, and we weren't sure if it would work the same for our presentation. Thankfully, it did, and everything turned out fine in the end.
Content
Spring potential energy- Energy stored in a spring (in our case, a rubber band) when you pull or push it. The rubber band in our car was an example of spring potential energy. It had potential energy when it was pulled tight, and that energy was converted to kinetic as is unwound.
Kinetic Energy- Energy due to motion. This is the energy that results from the rubber band uncoiling and propelling the car forward.
Thermal energy- Energy lost due to friction (heat). Friction is what made the car stop at five meters instead of continuing forever.
Spring Constant- The measure of how much a spring wants to pull back together (the rigidity of the spring). We calculated the spring constant of our rubber band by dividing the force of the rubber band by the distance it traveled.
Distance vs. Time- a graph we used to determine velocity, since velocity is distance divided by time.
Reflection
One thing that went well during this project was our teamwork. The four of us are also friends outside of class, and that really helped with how we worked together. For example, we didn't argue about small things like some of my previous groups have. Also, we were able to communicate better because we've known each other for so long. Another thing that went well was our Google Slides presentation. We had enough time to practice it several times before the presentation day, and as a result, it went very smoothly. The presentation also had good graphics, and it looked very nice.
One thing that went badly was our time management. We spent a little too much time on the presentation, so we had to come in at lunch to decorate the car. It was supposed to be painted and covered in sequins, but it din't get painted, and there were only scattered sequins. Another thing that went badly was that we tested the car too many times, and that stretched out our rubber band. We had to replace it, and we weren't sure if it would work the same for our presentation. Thankfully, it did, and everything turned out fine in the end.