Name(s) __________________

Date Assigned: _________

Period:____
Due Date: ______________

INTRODUCTION

You will build an originally designed vehicle powered solely by the

energy of one standard-sized mousetrap.
A very popular method of propulsion is to tie one end of a string to the
arm (or an extended lever arm) on the mousetrap and the other end to
the axle. By winding the string around the axle, the mousetrap's spring,
when released, pulls on the string causing the wheels to turn and thus
making the car move (there are, however, other creative ways to
convey power from the mousetrap to the car).

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this project is to...

a) design a mousetrap car that will travel a maximum DISPLACEMENT
to use that information to calculate velocity/acceleration
b) demonstrate an understanding of Newtons Laws of Motion
incorporated in your design (in a report).

The project consists of 5 phases:

Mousetrap Car Design- CLASS WORK GRADE

Procurement of parts - HOMEWORK GRADE
Mousetrap Car Construction - CLASSWORK GRADE
Mousetrap Car Prototype- QUIZ GRADE
Mousetrap Car Rough Trials- ASSESSMENT GRADE
Mousetrap Car Revisions- CLASSWORK GRADE
Mousetrap Car Performance Evaluation (Race day) - PROJECT
GRADE
Mousetrap Car Physics Analysis-Questions -ASSESSMENT
GRADE
Mousetrap Car Report- PROJECT GRADE

All designs must follow the DESIGN INSTRUCTIONS.

DESIGN INSTRUCTIONS
1. The vehicle must be powered by a single Victor or "Tomcat" brand
mousetrap or equivalent (no rat traps allowed). You are not allowed to
"heat treat" the spring to enhance tensile strength.
2. You have complete design freedom concerning vehicle size, vehicle
weight, and materials used (except for the mouse trap "engine").
3. CAR-KITS PURCHASED AT A HOBBY STORE OR ON-LINE ARE
NOT allowed. The intent of this project is for you to research, design,
and build your own car from "scratch" i.e. from individual components
you have purchased, already have on hand at home or made.

4. You will not be permitted to "push start" your vehicle i.e. upon
release, your vehicle must start moving on its own.
5. Only final displacement will be measured; "total distance travelled "
does not count (i.e. the straighter the travel line, the better your
grade will be).
6. Displacement will be measured from the starting line position to the
front-most part of the vehicle at its final resting point.
7.Your goal is 10 meters or more. All cars must achieve a minimum of 3
meters displacement. Please examine the grading rubric (see the
displacement rubric below);car performance is a major part of your
project grade so test your design, make improvements and then test
some more!
8.This project handout will be given back to the teacher at the end of
the evaluation. Please keep up with it- otherwise you will lose a
significant amount of points from your test grade.
Total
0-3 meters
Displacement

4-6 meters

7-9 meters

10 meters or
more

Points earned 0

8.5

10

You are only allowed three trials- the data from the most
successful trial will be the information used to calculate the cars
evaluation test grade.

Record the Displacement (meters): _______

Record the Time (seconds): _______
Points earned: ____ / 1

PHYSICS ANALYSIS REPORT APPLYING NEWTONS LAWS 3

LAWS OF MOTION.
In a well-written essay, answer the following question(s) completely. Your answer
must be typed along with the original question. Your responses must be in complete
and coherent sentences to receive full credit for the correct answer.

Question: Explain how each of Newtons three laws of motion

apply to the motion, displacement and acceleration of the
mouse trap car.
Introduction paragraph- leads in to your body paragraphs
One paragraph examines how the law of inertia is demonstrated
and overcome the force of the mousetrap.
One paragraph examines how the acceleration of an object is
affected by its force and mass.
One paragraph examines how action and reaction forces are
demonstrated through the motion of the object.
One paragraph examines how displacement is affected by the
vector motion of the car.
The closing paragraph is a summary of the discussion questions.

NOTE: Your PHYSICS ANALYSIS REPORT

APPLYING NEWTONS 3 LAWS OF MOTION are
due the same day as your cars evaluation.
Date __________

Car Name ___________________

Student(s) ________________________________ Class___________

II. MOUSETRAP CAR PHYSICS ANALYSIS REPORT

APPLYING NEWTONS THREE LAWS (50 pts possible)
90-100 points: Demonstrates excellent conceptual
understanding of the physics principles behind a mousetrap
car. Applies this understanding in conducting an excellent,
meaningful investigation and application of Newtons Laws.
80-89 points: Demonstrates good conceptual understanding
of the physics principles behind a mousetrap car. Applies this
understanding and application of Newtons Laws in conducting
a good investigation.
70-79 points: Demonstrates minimal understanding of physics
principles behind a mousetrap car. Conducts a basic
investigation and application of Newtons Laws.
0-69 points: Demonstrates poor conceptual understanding of
the physics principles behind a mousetrap car. Does not fully
apply this understanding in conducting a meaningful
investigation.
NET ASSESSMENT GRADE