Mousetrap Vehicle Test Day

Setting the trap

Wrapping the string around the axle

        Last Thursday we did our mousetrap vehicle tests.  My group, Corie, Rae, and I took our vehicle to the math hallway and started testing it.  At first we were having trouble as the axle wasn't turning very well but we fixed that with some grease and it now goes at least 6 meters before turning left and crashing into the wall versus just 3 meters and just stopping.  We also added electrical tape to the tires to add traction and we also glued the axle to the wheel so it didn't slip and waste torque.Our vehicle was pretty easy to operate though it was sometimes tricky getting the string to catch so we could wind it up. 
       One of the biggest problems we now have to overcome is getting the vehicle to go in a straight line and we will have to bend the chassis in order to do that.  Once we do that I am confident that it will go 10 meters no problem.

Spring Break Physics

Even though I was out of classes for this week, I still experienced physics in many ways.  One of the biggest ways was when I went snowboarding.  When you are snowboarding there is many ways that different aspects of physics affect you and your snowboard.  There is the gravitational pull which is what makes you go down the hill.  There is also the whole factor of friction between your board and the snow, which affects how fast you go.