THE CHIP-BOWL-REFILL-INATOR
Description:
Our project was an definitely an adventure. Over a course of blood, sweat, and tears we completed our project with penguins going up staircases and a wild Perry the Platypus lurking in the corner. We wanted to make ours creative so we came up with a completely original design. In our first drawing of our project we had a catapult that would launch a marble into a funnel down a screw. When we first started we decided not to do that because it would have had a very low accuracy of going where it was supposed to go every time. But the one thing we knew was set in stone was that our final design would have two levels. We also knew that the objective of our project was to have a cup pouring goldfish into a cowl. So with that, we started with our very interesting project.
Even with our newer design we still ran into plenty of problems. The first problem we had was one of the first steps we have. We originally had two levers that would hit each other that would cause a ball to roll down a track into a cup. We tried that, but it only worked part of the time, so we decided to try out a wheel + axle. The wheel + axle worked perfectly, so we decided to keep that. The next step when the ball rolls down the track we chose to put three weights in front of the cup instead of one. So no matter where the ball rolls, it will always hit one of the three weights knocking it into the cup. The next problem we ran into was the inclined planes. Originally we only had one inclined plane that a marble would roll down and then it would continue down a whole track that would consume the first level. We saw that the marble didn't have enough momentum to only go down one inclined plane and then complete a whole track with no hills. We then decided to add another inclined plane. That's where the penguin staircase comes in. We made a lever so when the marble rolled down the first inclined plane it would hit the penguin causing it to go up the staircase and hit another marble waiting at the top. Our last step was originally a wheel + axle. We decided that it was too complicated so we did two more pulleys that would release the cup pouring the goldfish into the bowl.
Concepts and Usage:
Force: Force is a push or a pull. The formula for force is force = mass x acceleration. Newtons (N) is the unit for force. Below, where the steps are explained, you can see how we used force in our project.
Potential Energy: Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position. The formula for potential energy is PE=mass x gravitational acceleration x height. The unit for potential energy is Joules (J). Essentially potential and kinetic energy equal each other. Below, where the steps are fully explained, you can see how we used potential energy in out project.
Kinetic Energy: The kinetic energy of an object is the energy which it possesses due to its motion. The formula for kinetic energy is KE=1/2mv^2. The unit for kinetic energy is Joules (J). Essentially potential and kinetic energy equal each other. Below, where the steps are explained, you can see how we used kinetic energy in our project.
Mechanical Advantage: Mechanical advantage is the ratio of the force produced by a machine to the force applied to it. There is no unit for mechanical advantage. There are two types of mechanical advantage, ideal and real. Below, where the steps are explained, you can see how we used mechanical advantage in out project.
Our Rube Goldberg has a total of 12 steps. They range from penguins hitting marbles to many, many sets of pulleys. In the first step we have a a weight that is dropped down and pulls a card, using a pulley. Since we only used one pulley in that step, there was a mechanical advantage of one. We then found the potential energy. The formula for potential energy is PE=mgh. We knew gravity rounds up to 10 N so we plugged that in. We then found the other numbers to plug in. Our final equation was PE=55kg(10N)(0.285m) and the answer was 1.5675 J. We then found the kinetic energy. The equation for kinetic energy is KE=1/2mv^2. The equation we found was KE=1/2(55)(0.05)^2 and the answer was 1.5675 J.
The second step is a wedge. A card is pulled from underneath a rubber stopper and it falls onto a wheel + axle. We used the d=vt equation to solve for this. We first found the distance. We then calculated to time it took for the step to finish. Our final equation with all the numbers plugged in was 0.22=v(0.36). The answer we then found was velocity= 0.61 m/s. So in conclusion, the wedge moves at a speed of 0.61 m/s.
The third step is the rubber stopper. A card is pulled out from underneath the rubber stopper and it falls onto the next step which is the wheel + axle. We found the potential and kinetic energy. For the potential energy the numbers we found to plug in was PE= 0.095(10)(0.193). The answer we found came to 0.18335 J. We then found the kinetic energy. The formula we found was KE= 0.095(1/2)(3.86)^2. The answer we found was KE= 0.18335 J.
The fourth step is a wheel + axle. The rubber stopper falls onto the wheel + axle, causing it to spin and release a wooden ball down the track. There was no math for this step.
The fifth step is our first incline plane. The ball is released from the wheel + axle. It rolls down an inclined plane, and it hits one of the three weights. We used to d=vt equation to solve for this step. The numbers we found to plug in were 0.21=v0.83. The answer we found was velocity= 0.253 m/s.
The sixth step is when the ball hits one of the weights. The ball hits one of the three weights and it falls into the cup. We found both the F=ma formula and the d=vt formula. The the F=ma equation the numbers we found to plug in were F=0.05(0.286). The answer we found was F= 0.163 J. We then found d=vt. The numbers we found were 0.4=v1.4. The answer we found velocity= 0.285 m/s.
The seventh step is a pulley. The weight falls into the cup, which then drops down causing a piece of cardboard to move up and release a marble. The mechanical advantage is one since we only had one pulley. We then found the potential energy. The numbers we found to plug in were PE= 0.295(10)(0.2205). We then calculated the equation and found that the potential energy was 0.664 J. We then moved on to kinetic energy. The final equation was KE= 1/2(0.295)(4.502)^2. The answer we found was KE= 0.664 J.
The eighth step is one of the inclined planes. The marble that is released in the previous step rolls down the inclined plane until it hits the lever. We used the d=vt equation to solve for this step. The distance was one meter and the time it took for the marble to complete the step was 0.86 seconds. So our equation was 1m=v(0.86s). The answer we found was velocity= 1.163 m/s.
The ninth step is a lever. The marble hits the lever, pushing a penguin on the other side onto the staircase. It is a type one lever. We used the F=ma and w=fd equation to solve for this step. For the force equation the final numbers we plugged in was
F= 1.163(0.55). The answer we found was force= 0.6397 N. We then plugged that number into the work formula. Our equation was w= 0.6397(0.13). The work of this step was 0.083161 J.
The tenth step is another inclined plane. The penguin hits the marble and it rolls down the inclined plane into a water bottle which drops it down to the lower level. We used to d=vt equation to solve for this step. The distance was 0.49 meters and the time it took for the marble to complete this step was 0.54 seconds. So our equation was 0.49m=v(0.54s). The answer we then found was velocity= 0.907 m/s.
The eleventh step is the last inclined plane. After falling through the plastic water bottle, the marble rolls down an inclined plane until it hits a weight, which is then pushed into a cup. We used the d=vt equation to solve for this step. The distance was 0.82 meters and the time it took for the marble to complete the step was 1.77 seconds. Therefore, our equation was 0.82m=v(1.77s). We then solved for v and found that velocity= 0.463 m/s.
The twelfth step is the final step of our project. It is a pulley. We found that the mechanical advantage was equal to one because even though there our two pulleys in the step, the string only goes through them once. We found both the potential and kinetic energy. We first found the potential energy. The final equation we found with the numbers plugged in was
PE= 0.028(10)(0.12). The final answer we found was PE= 0.0336 J. We then found kinetic energy. The equation we found was
KE= 1/2(0.028)(2.4)^2. The answer we found was KE= 0.036 J.
Reflection:
Overall our project went along pretty smoothly. There were plenty of problems we ran into, but at the same time we had a great time over the course of our time together working on the project. Generally we all got along fine and all contributed our ideas. For example one idea that Lauren thought of was using her old credit card as a platform that we could slide from underneath the rubber stopper in our first few steps. Or when we were stuck on trying to figure out how we were going to get the marble back up to an elevated position so we could roll it back down another inclined plane and I remembered that I had a penguin escalator that we could use. One thing that I learned about myself was that I don't mind public speaking. For example, during Rube Goldberg night when we were required to explain our project to an audience, I didn't feel nervous presenting and was completely comfortable.
Even though I know we all had a great time throughout the course of building our machine, we still ran into problems. One problem we ran into that proved to be frustrating, was the amount of times things just didn't work. For example, we had to change many things from our original design because either we knew it wouldn't work or when we tried it, it hardly ever worked. An even further example of this problem was the fourth step. Originally we tried two levers that would hit each other releasing a marble down the track, but that had a very low accuracy of working, so we used a wheel + axle instead. Another problem we all ran into was getting off task. For example, some days we would become distracted and move off task. This is something I intend to improve upon in the future.
Picture and Video:
Our project was an definitely an adventure. Over a course of blood, sweat, and tears we completed our project with penguins going up staircases and a wild Perry the Platypus lurking in the corner. We wanted to make ours creative so we came up with a completely original design. In our first drawing of our project we had a catapult that would launch a marble into a funnel down a screw. When we first started we decided not to do that because it would have had a very low accuracy of going where it was supposed to go every time. But the one thing we knew was set in stone was that our final design would have two levels. We also knew that the objective of our project was to have a cup pouring goldfish into a cowl. So with that, we started with our very interesting project.
Even with our newer design we still ran into plenty of problems. The first problem we had was one of the first steps we have. We originally had two levers that would hit each other that would cause a ball to roll down a track into a cup. We tried that, but it only worked part of the time, so we decided to try out a wheel + axle. The wheel + axle worked perfectly, so we decided to keep that. The next step when the ball rolls down the track we chose to put three weights in front of the cup instead of one. So no matter where the ball rolls, it will always hit one of the three weights knocking it into the cup. The next problem we ran into was the inclined planes. Originally we only had one inclined plane that a marble would roll down and then it would continue down a whole track that would consume the first level. We saw that the marble didn't have enough momentum to only go down one inclined plane and then complete a whole track with no hills. We then decided to add another inclined plane. That's where the penguin staircase comes in. We made a lever so when the marble rolled down the first inclined plane it would hit the penguin causing it to go up the staircase and hit another marble waiting at the top. Our last step was originally a wheel + axle. We decided that it was too complicated so we did two more pulleys that would release the cup pouring the goldfish into the bowl.
Concepts and Usage:
Force: Force is a push or a pull. The formula for force is force = mass x acceleration. Newtons (N) is the unit for force. Below, where the steps are explained, you can see how we used force in our project.
Potential Energy: Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position. The formula for potential energy is PE=mass x gravitational acceleration x height. The unit for potential energy is Joules (J). Essentially potential and kinetic energy equal each other. Below, where the steps are fully explained, you can see how we used potential energy in out project.
Kinetic Energy: The kinetic energy of an object is the energy which it possesses due to its motion. The formula for kinetic energy is KE=1/2mv^2. The unit for kinetic energy is Joules (J). Essentially potential and kinetic energy equal each other. Below, where the steps are explained, you can see how we used kinetic energy in our project.
Mechanical Advantage: Mechanical advantage is the ratio of the force produced by a machine to the force applied to it. There is no unit for mechanical advantage. There are two types of mechanical advantage, ideal and real. Below, where the steps are explained, you can see how we used mechanical advantage in out project.
Our Rube Goldberg has a total of 12 steps. They range from penguins hitting marbles to many, many sets of pulleys. In the first step we have a a weight that is dropped down and pulls a card, using a pulley. Since we only used one pulley in that step, there was a mechanical advantage of one. We then found the potential energy. The formula for potential energy is PE=mgh. We knew gravity rounds up to 10 N so we plugged that in. We then found the other numbers to plug in. Our final equation was PE=55kg(10N)(0.285m) and the answer was 1.5675 J. We then found the kinetic energy. The equation for kinetic energy is KE=1/2mv^2. The equation we found was KE=1/2(55)(0.05)^2 and the answer was 1.5675 J.
The second step is a wedge. A card is pulled from underneath a rubber stopper and it falls onto a wheel + axle. We used the d=vt equation to solve for this. We first found the distance. We then calculated to time it took for the step to finish. Our final equation with all the numbers plugged in was 0.22=v(0.36). The answer we then found was velocity= 0.61 m/s. So in conclusion, the wedge moves at a speed of 0.61 m/s.
The third step is the rubber stopper. A card is pulled out from underneath the rubber stopper and it falls onto the next step which is the wheel + axle. We found the potential and kinetic energy. For the potential energy the numbers we found to plug in was PE= 0.095(10)(0.193). The answer we found came to 0.18335 J. We then found the kinetic energy. The formula we found was KE= 0.095(1/2)(3.86)^2. The answer we found was KE= 0.18335 J.
The fourth step is a wheel + axle. The rubber stopper falls onto the wheel + axle, causing it to spin and release a wooden ball down the track. There was no math for this step.
The fifth step is our first incline plane. The ball is released from the wheel + axle. It rolls down an inclined plane, and it hits one of the three weights. We used to d=vt equation to solve for this step. The numbers we found to plug in were 0.21=v0.83. The answer we found was velocity= 0.253 m/s.
The sixth step is when the ball hits one of the weights. The ball hits one of the three weights and it falls into the cup. We found both the F=ma formula and the d=vt formula. The the F=ma equation the numbers we found to plug in were F=0.05(0.286). The answer we found was F= 0.163 J. We then found d=vt. The numbers we found were 0.4=v1.4. The answer we found velocity= 0.285 m/s.
The seventh step is a pulley. The weight falls into the cup, which then drops down causing a piece of cardboard to move up and release a marble. The mechanical advantage is one since we only had one pulley. We then found the potential energy. The numbers we found to plug in were PE= 0.295(10)(0.2205). We then calculated the equation and found that the potential energy was 0.664 J. We then moved on to kinetic energy. The final equation was KE= 1/2(0.295)(4.502)^2. The answer we found was KE= 0.664 J.
The eighth step is one of the inclined planes. The marble that is released in the previous step rolls down the inclined plane until it hits the lever. We used the d=vt equation to solve for this step. The distance was one meter and the time it took for the marble to complete the step was 0.86 seconds. So our equation was 1m=v(0.86s). The answer we found was velocity= 1.163 m/s.
The ninth step is a lever. The marble hits the lever, pushing a penguin on the other side onto the staircase. It is a type one lever. We used the F=ma and w=fd equation to solve for this step. For the force equation the final numbers we plugged in was
F= 1.163(0.55). The answer we found was force= 0.6397 N. We then plugged that number into the work formula. Our equation was w= 0.6397(0.13). The work of this step was 0.083161 J.
The tenth step is another inclined plane. The penguin hits the marble and it rolls down the inclined plane into a water bottle which drops it down to the lower level. We used to d=vt equation to solve for this step. The distance was 0.49 meters and the time it took for the marble to complete this step was 0.54 seconds. So our equation was 0.49m=v(0.54s). The answer we then found was velocity= 0.907 m/s.
The eleventh step is the last inclined plane. After falling through the plastic water bottle, the marble rolls down an inclined plane until it hits a weight, which is then pushed into a cup. We used the d=vt equation to solve for this step. The distance was 0.82 meters and the time it took for the marble to complete the step was 1.77 seconds. Therefore, our equation was 0.82m=v(1.77s). We then solved for v and found that velocity= 0.463 m/s.
The twelfth step is the final step of our project. It is a pulley. We found that the mechanical advantage was equal to one because even though there our two pulleys in the step, the string only goes through them once. We found both the potential and kinetic energy. We first found the potential energy. The final equation we found with the numbers plugged in was
PE= 0.028(10)(0.12). The final answer we found was PE= 0.0336 J. We then found kinetic energy. The equation we found was
KE= 1/2(0.028)(2.4)^2. The answer we found was KE= 0.036 J.
Reflection:
Overall our project went along pretty smoothly. There were plenty of problems we ran into, but at the same time we had a great time over the course of our time together working on the project. Generally we all got along fine and all contributed our ideas. For example one idea that Lauren thought of was using her old credit card as a platform that we could slide from underneath the rubber stopper in our first few steps. Or when we were stuck on trying to figure out how we were going to get the marble back up to an elevated position so we could roll it back down another inclined plane and I remembered that I had a penguin escalator that we could use. One thing that I learned about myself was that I don't mind public speaking. For example, during Rube Goldberg night when we were required to explain our project to an audience, I didn't feel nervous presenting and was completely comfortable.
Even though I know we all had a great time throughout the course of building our machine, we still ran into problems. One problem we ran into that proved to be frustrating, was the amount of times things just didn't work. For example, we had to change many things from our original design because either we knew it wouldn't work or when we tried it, it hardly ever worked. An even further example of this problem was the fourth step. Originally we tried two levers that would hit each other releasing a marble down the track, but that had a very low accuracy of working, so we used a wheel + axle instead. Another problem we all ran into was getting off task. For example, some days we would become distracted and move off task. This is something I intend to improve upon in the future.
Picture and Video: