At a Glance:
Students design and build their own solar race car, then race it against their classmates' cars.
Concepts:
This is a problem-solving challenge where students must apply their knowlege of energy conversion, rolling resistance, drivetrains, and power-to-weight ratios.
On a balsa wood panel that will serve as the vehicle chassis, students measure and mark the positions of the axles and the solar panel support. They also use a coping saw to cut out a notch for the gear drive. A solar panel support is cut from a second piece of balsa and glued perpendicular to and in the center of the chassis. The solar panel will later rest on this support.
Next, the axle assemblies are constructed. Students slide a drive gear, two nylon spacers, and wheels onto a Delrin axle to form the rear axle assembly. Wide rubber bands are stretched around the wheels to provide traction. Spacers and wheels are mounted on a second Delrin axle to form the front axle assembly. The axles are positioned along the marked lines underneath the chassis and secured with glue applied to the spacers.
After sliding a spur gear onto the motor, students glue the motor to the chassis so that the spur gear engages the drive gear. The notch cut earlier from the chassis is glued behind the motor for additional support.
Finally, the leads of the solar panel are soldered to alligator clips and the panel is attached to the chassis with rubber bands. When the leads are clipped to the motor terminals, the vehicle is ready to run in the Sun! It will move exceptionally fast, so choose a large area that is free from obstructions.
At a Glance:
Students design and build their own solar race car, then race it against their classmates' cars.
