At a Glance: This open-ended activity challenges students to design and build a vehicle that is powered by the action of a single mousetrap. The activity usually culminates in an exciting distance-based competition.
Concepts:Creative problem solving is the intent of this activity; an infinite number of alterations may be made to the vehicle to improve its performance. Physics concepts such as inertia, rolling resistance, and potential-versus-kinetic energy come into play.
Details: Using simple tools, students cut out the vehicle’s chassis (a platform and two side rails) from sheets of balsa wood and drill holes into the side rails. The chassis is glued together and axles are inserted into the drilled holes and held in place by rubber washers. CD-ROMs are converted into wheels by mounting them on rubber washers and sliding them onto the axles.
The mousetrap is attached to the vehicle's deck with machine screws. (Although cool-melt glue can be used to secure the mousetrap to the vehicle, attaching it with screws enables students to move the mousetrap to different locations on the deck and conduct experiments on the effect of placement on performance.)
The mousetrap's snapper is clipped to a length of about two inches. A hollow tube that serves as a lever arm is slipped onto the snapper. A hook is slipped into the far end of the tube. A string is tied to the hook and the other end of the string is looped over a small wire hook attached to the rear (drive) axle. Students turn the rear wheels backward to wind the string firmly around the rear axle. As the wheels turn, the lever arm moves backward, stretching the mousetrap's spring and storing energy that will power the car forward when the vehicle is released.
At a Glance: This open-ended activity challenges students to design and build a vehicle that is powered by the action of a single mousetrap. The activity usually culminates in an exciting distance-based competition.
