Diyvehiclerepair
To make a reversing mousetrap car go forward and then come back you will need to know how to "back-wind" the string. Back-winding the string it a technique where you first wind the string around the axle in one direction and then rewind the string in the opposite direction.
- Why does my mousetrap car turn?
- What is the lever on a mousetrap car?
- How does a mousetrap car move forward?
- How long should the lever arm be on a mousetrap car for distance?
- How long should a mousetrap car be?
- What is the fastest mousetrap car?
- What is an axle hook on a mousetrap car?
- How do mousetrap cars reduce friction?
- How do you find the force of a mouse trap?
- How do you fix this mousetrap car suddenly stops or slows quickly?
Why does my mousetrap car turn?
If a mousetrap racer is turning to the left it is because the front axle is pointed slightly left or the distance between the front and rear axles is greater on the right side of the vehicle (see picture bellow). ... bonus tip: Once the axle holes are in alignment the mousetrap vehicle will travel straight.
What is the lever on a mousetrap car?
A mousetrap car works on the principle of a lever. One end of the lever is connected to a spring. When a force is used to pull up the other end of the lever up, the spring tightens, storing energy. When the lever is released, the stored energy in the spring is transferred back to the lever, and the end snaps back.
How does a mousetrap car move forward?
The mousetrap storespotential energyin the form of the spring. That potential energy is converted into kinetic energy in the form of the arm rotating forward. The arm pulls on the wound-up string, which turns the drive wheel dowel, which is connected to the wheels, which makes the car drive forward.
How long should the lever arm be on a mousetrap car for distance?
For maximum speed, position the mousetrap 2 1/4 inches from the drive axle and cut the lever arm to a length of 4 1/4 inches. The lever arm can be cut using a dremel tool or by using a fine tooth hobby saw. The lever arm should always be "just" long enough to reach the drive axle or performance will be compromised.
How long should a mousetrap car be?
The ideal size for an ultra big wheel on a long distance mousetrap racer seams to be somewhere between 10 and 15 inches. And the ideal size for a drive wheel on a speed-trap racer seams to be between 2 and 3 inches but no more than 4 inches.
What is the fastest mousetrap car?
The Speed-Trap Racer is the fastest mousetrap powered racer anywhere and was designed after Doc Fizzix's own record-setting mousetrap racer that traveled 5 meters in 1.2 seconds.
What is an axle hook on a mousetrap car?
An important part of a mousetrap vehicles propulsion system is the axle hook. ... If the string does not properly release from the drive axle the string will rewind around the drive axle and cause the mousetrap car to come to an instant stop.
How do mousetrap cars reduce friction?
Try to have a minimum gap of 1/8 inch between the frame and any spacers (or wheels) in order to decrease any rubbing friction. Use thrust washers and graphite powder between spacers (or wheels) and the frame to help reduce the rubbing friction.
How do you find the force of a mouse trap?
The work done on the mousetrap arm is found using the formula W = F d, where F is the force (in Newtons) applied to the mousetrap car spring arm and d is the distance (in m) through which the force is applied. You found the force applied using a spring scale and should have it in the table above.
How do you fix this mousetrap car suddenly stops or slows quickly?
Axle Points
Test spin your mousetrap racers wheels in order to see how friction-free they spin. If the wheels stop spinning fairly quickly then you will need to find ways to reduce the axle friction. Try using graphite powder or even replacing bushings with ball bearings.
