The Unicar
The Hybrid Car was a project that challenged the students of STEM to build a car using alternative energy sources, like elasticity. In addition, the vehicle had to be able to carry 100 pennies, (250 grams,) and travel a length of 5 m. Our car relied on springs,(rubber bands,) to move the car.
The Unicar Presentation
The Unicar in Action
Concepts We Used/Calculations
Potential Energy- PEspring=1/2kx²
We used potential energy to calculate how much energy the car would begin with. Kinetic Energy- KE=1/2mv² We used kinetic energy to find the rate at which the car went. Thermal Energy- Thermal energy was used to help us see how friction affected the car. Spring Constant- K=F/D Spring constant was used to help find the potential energy of the car. |
Reflection
This project was challenging but i feel that I learned many new skills from it. Overall, the group worked really nicely together, but of course the project had its highs and lows. One of our high points was during the designing faze. We got a lot done and planned out a lot of our car. However, we did definitely reach low point when we found that our car did not go nearly as far as we wanted it to after we had built it. Another low point was when were building and part of the car frame snapped when we were trying to drill into it, but ultimately when our car ended up working for the first time and went the full 5 meters, it was all worth it.
I learned a lot of things during this project. One of the main things I learned was that sometimes instead of insisting your idea is right, it is better to combine your ideas with other peoples ideas to get the greatest outcome, and I learned that it's better to do a lot of research before time rather than just dive in with little information. I could improve on not procrastinating as much, and being more empathetic towards my group members.
I learned a lot of things during this project. One of the main things I learned was that sometimes instead of insisting your idea is right, it is better to combine your ideas with other peoples ideas to get the greatest outcome, and I learned that it's better to do a lot of research before time rather than just dive in with little information. I could improve on not procrastinating as much, and being more empathetic towards my group members.