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### Mass Powered Vehicle

Mass Powered Vehicle

Mass Powered Vehicle

Purpose:  To design and build a vehicle powered by a falling mass that will successfully carry a driver over a specified distance.

 

Partners:  Students will work in groups of 2.

 

Rules:

  1. Maximum Dimensions:  24” long x 12” wide x 36” tall
  2. Maximum Falling Mass:  1500 g = 1.5kg (student brought masses will be checked before competition)
  3. Materials:  any available material may be used. 
  4. Minimum Number of Wheels: 4 (all must be functional and the same size)
  5. Driver must be able to “see” the road.
  6. Driver’s compartment must be accessible (driver must be able to get in and out).
  7. Driver must travel the entire distance without harm.
  8. Vehicle must start from rest.
  9. Vehicle must have a starting mechanism.
  10. Vehicle must get its power from only the falling mass.

 

-          Your vehicle must go a minimum distance of 15 feet to receive any credit for this project.

 

Background Information:

The drive mechanism is driven solely by a falling mass.  The total potential energy just before the launch can be calculated using PE = mgh, where m is the mass in kg, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the initial height of the falling mass.  Since all things in the Universe obey the Law of Conservation of Energy, the potential energy going in is equal to the kinetic energy coming out (PE = KE).  To sum all of this physics jargon up, the maximum energy your vehicle can use is limited.  The key to success is to make your vehicle as efficient as possible and your two biggest enemies are weight and friction.

 



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