Project ReflectionIn this project, we worked in groups of three to create a maglev car (Magnetic Levitation car) that self propels down a track 6 feet long! To make things even more complex, our car must travel the whole distance powered by a single mouse trap! We also learned the following concepts in more depth: Magnetism, Kinetic and Potential Energy, Friction, Forces, and Accelerated Motion.
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Reflection |
I learned a lot on this project- types of energy, how MagLev cars work, and even how a mouse trap works! MagLev means magnetic levitation, and is used with only magnets to travel. MagLev is working on making trains and spacecraft for more efficient and eco-friendly travel. It uses magnetic beams and minimal electricity to move about 300-350 mph.
When building my car, our design did have some challenges. We weren't sure if it was going to work because if our measurements were off, it wouldn't work. The proportions were also incorrect, but we fixed it eventually. Our construction took many revisions to perfect. If you read my blog, you will be walked through our steps and errors we made. I worked in a group of 3, and I couldn't have asked for a better group. We didn't have any arguments, and we all put the same amount of effort into the car. I sometimes lead the group, because not all of us were there all the time but me, and I also felt I understood the design the most. This was also one of my strengths, because sometimes I wish I have different teammates in certain projects. My group also excelled in our design, because it seemed to work the best out of all the other people that tried to mimic us. I wish I would have been more careful with our glue job because it was a little messy, and the glue on the edge of the wheel also made it shake when it rolled. A lesson that I will use in my future projects is the beauty of trial and error, and refinement. |
November 3rd, 2014 |
Today was the day we got introduced to this project. It seems interesting, but hard. I wonder how the car works, because I am unfamiliar with mouse traps. I am concerned about the designs because none of the ones I looked at for inspiration involved magnets or only one wheel. I also hope I don't break my fingers with the trap. I am really excited about the competition with other groups. I want my group to have the most unique design and run the furthest. I hope I learn whatever I can in this project that I can use later on in life. My goal is to create the best piece of work that I can that I am also proud of.
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November 6th, 2014 |
Today we made our prototype out of cardboard. We believe the design will work, but are not sure if it has any fatal flaws. It works by releasing the trap, which is attached to a stick, tied to a spool of fishing line. The spool acts as a wheel, which will push the car foreword. Underneath the front are magnets, which will hopefully levitate the top half. (The trap in the picture is also made of cardboard).
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November 9th, 2014 |
Today we started building with real wood. We cut:
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November 13, 2014 |
Today we found a real spool (roughly 3.5 inches in diameter and 1.5 inches wide). This fit the width of the car, but not the length, so we broke off the back and it fit fine.
We also made thicker string by braiding the string. We tested the trap, and it didn't work. We think it's because of the drag on the front, but once we put the magnets on, it should be okay on the track. I feel that I am contributing as much as I can. Since there are three of us in a group, it is hard to have everyone working on the car at the same time. I think next time this project should be done in partners of two, to maximize the effective group work. |
November 17- 20th 2014 |
Over these days, we tested our car a few times, and it ran only a few inches. We figured out that the car wasn't gripping the track, so we put a line of glue on the edge of the spool. It helped a lot.
After that, Mr. Mendricks suggested we lengthen the string by adding a stick to the trap, and connecting the string to the stick. This added distance when we tested it again. We also shortened the amount of string in hopes to make it turn more, and not get caught on the rest of the string. This didn't seem to make any difference. Sometimes we set the trap, and other times we just pulled back the the stick. We found that just using the tension of the spring without setting the trap works best. Our design seems to work the best, and is currently the only trap that actually runs. We might improve our car after the break to make it run further. |
December 1st, 2014 |
Today we kept testing our car, and it actually went off the track! This is because we made some adjustments. We used our common sense, and thought that the trap would have more control if there was more weight dragging it down. So, we placed little pieces of metal in the cracks go the spool and taped them in. It worked!
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December 5th, 2014- LAST DAY! |
Today we made some last adjustments. We added and removed some weight from the wheel, and found the right balance. After Mr Mendricks passed us, other people asked us if they could use some of our parts. I guess people liked our design. Some people copied us, too!
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