Mousetrap Car Formal Lab Write Up:

Andre Barnes

Hypothesis: If certain variables associated with the mouse trap car are changed, then this process will allow for maximum distance and velocity to be achieved with a mousetrap car. Introduction: This experiment will be used to find the most efficient of ways to allow a mousetrap car to travel maximum distance and velocity. As we know, we can calculate velocity using the formula distance divided by time, so knowing that we have all the materials needed to conduct a successful experiment. The variables could be changed in a variety of ways for the best possible outcome. Some examples of this would be changing the weight of the frame, using different wheel sizes, changing the surface in which you will be experimenting on, and poking holes in the tires to decrease weight of your mousetrap car. The only question is, which variables should I change to get the maximum distance and velocity from my mousetrap car? Materials Used: 1 Mousetrap (preferably Victor): This will be the frame of the car. 2 Circular Pencils: This will be the axis for the car. 4 Plastic Wheels or Records(2 Big Wheels for the back and 2 Small Wheels for the front): Other materials can be substituted, however, records and plastic wheels work best because they generally have less friction. 4 Eye Hooks: This will be used as a place for axis and wheels to go. Elastic Bands: This will be used to keep the wheels on and in place. Thin String: Helps propulsion. Ruler/Meter/Yard Stick: Used to measure distance. Timer: Used to measure time. Procedure: I. II. III. Find the rod that is used to set the mousetrap. You will need to carefully remove this using plier. Cut out a piece of cardboard/light wood. This will act as the base of the car and should be inch wider than the mousetrap at all sides. Glue/Tape mousetrap on top of the base. Make sure you center it accurately for best results.

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V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X.

XI.

Screw 4 eye hooks into each corner on the bottom side of the chassis. Line up the hooks from front to back and side to side with a ruler. This will be used as a place to put the axis and wheels. Place the pencils in the eye hooks. The pencil should fit loose enough so that they can spin freely, but not so loose that they dont maintain alignment. Insert the pencils (axis) into the center of the wheels. The big wheels will be on the back of the car while the smaller ones will be on the front. With the wheels on wrap or tie thin elastic band around the ends of the pencils. This is to keep the wheels in place. Wrap one end of a string around the mousetrap cars snapper arm (found on the mousetrap itself) and tie a knot to secure the string. Cut the string so that it can reach the cars rear axle. Pull back the snapper arm and hold it securely in place. While doing this the string should be wrapped around the cars rear axle tightly to hold down the snapper arm. Do not let go of the string! When ready, let go of the string and you should notice your mousetrap car was a success! Good Job! Data: The distance was measured from where the mousetrap car string was let go, to where the mousetrap car ended. The time was measured from when the string was let go, to 7 seconds to keep the data consistent. The velocity was measured using velocity = distance/time.

Here is the data I collected below:

Distance 6.5 Meters 8.4 Meters 5.2 Meters Average Distance : 5.36

Time 7 Seconds 7 Seconds 7 Seconds Average Time : 7 Seconds

Velocity = d/t .92 m/s .62 m/s .74 m/s Average Velocity: .76 m/s

Conclusion: In the experiment my hypothesis was correct changing certain variables does indeed affect the successfulness of your mousetrap car. For example, the weight of your mousetrap car should be as minimal as possible, the wheels should be plastic for less friction, the surface you use should be flat and smooth for less friction, the size of the wheels should be preferably larger, and the fit of the pencil affects a lot. Some errors I ran into where that my pencil was too thin for my eye hooks so I had to get smaller eye hooks, because the pencil was not spinning well.