introduction
In this project we were instructed to design, build, and present a proposal for a hybrid vehicle that transfers stored potential energy into kinetic energy (motion). Our requirements were to build a car that goes five meters carrying a mass of 250 grams or 100 pennies. We also had to make a presentation on what we did and how cost efficient our final car was.
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that utilizes more than one form of energy to achieve motion. In theory, that means a hybrid will have a traditional internal-combustion engine and a fuel tank, as well as one or more electric motors and a battery pack. The hybrid we made runs off simple machines, using a spring’s potential energy to turn the wheel’s axel.
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that utilizes more than one form of energy to achieve motion. In theory, that means a hybrid will have a traditional internal-combustion engine and a fuel tank, as well as one or more electric motors and a battery pack. The hybrid we made runs off simple machines, using a spring’s potential energy to turn the wheel’s axel.
Brainstorming
We started this project by brainstorming what we could do to achieve this task. We initially decided to start by building a frame that could use any kind of potential to power the car, and then we could decide what method we wanted to use that would be most efficient to power the car. In the end, we decided to use spring potential energy to power our car because it seemed the easiest to design and build, the consistently reliable method, and we didn't want to use batteries or motors because that already exists and is simply not very creative.
Building the car
After deciding what method we were going to use, we looked at what materials we had and began to build the frame. we started with a bicycle wheel, and two pieces of wood and went from there. As soon as we had the frame finished, we started the actual spring part by wrapping string around the axel and attaching it to three springs. We attached the springs by weaving their coils together. After building the car, we needed to face
he problem of getting the car to go exactly five meters. Our car is used by winding up the back wheel,
and when fully wound the car goes twelve meters (2.4 times the distance) Finding how much to wind the car was our
biggest problem, because the spring stretched every time we used it, making it
difficult to pinpoint a location to wind it up to. (immediately after building the car, winding it up 1.4 feet brought it five meters. Now we need to wind it just over two)
Concepts
- Speed is the amount of distance an object covers in a given amount of time.
- Velocity is speed with a direction. Speed and velocity are both calculated by dividing distance and time.
- Acceleration is the rate of change in an object's motion. It is calculated by dividing the change in velocity and the change in time.
- Potential energy is the energy of an object in a certain position. PE is calculated by multiplying mass, acceleration due to gravity, and the height of the object.
- Kinetic energy is how much energy an object has due to motion. It is calculated by multiplying 1/2 mass and velocity squared.
Calculations
Graphs
Reflections
In this project we built a hybrid car. I learned a lot about the mechanics these cars and how they work, and I also learned a lot about spings and their spring constants. In this project I worked with Nick and Peter, who I didn't know to well before, and now I do. I think that this was a successful project because of how much we learned and how well our project actually worked. I think that the most successful part of this project was what we learned.
I think that I need to work on time management and although our project was done on time a think we could have got it done sooner not fooling around. I also think that we could have practiced our presentation much more and we could have been better prepared for the presentation.
I think that I need to work on time management and although our project was done on time a think we could have got it done sooner not fooling around. I also think that we could have practiced our presentation much more and we could have been better prepared for the presentation.