Rubber Band Powered Car Physics Explanation

This rubber band powered car is an awesome engineering activity for your next stem project time.

Rubber band powered car physics explanation. How to make a simple car with rubber band. The more the band is twisted around the axle the more momentum is built up to propel the car. Wheels are defined as anything that are round and go around. Rubber band powered car teachers notes overview subject.

The standard rubber band car features a rubber band wrapped around an axle which propels the axle forward thereby spinning the wheels when snapped. Rubber band powered car mechanical engineering 57 x the car must have at least three wheels. Rubber bands are a convenient and effective way to teach energy transformation and this rubber band car makes that lesson a blast. A quick google search for rubber band car project yields tens of thousands of results so why reinvent the rubber band powered wheel the top results show cars with small wheels without traction or cd wheels which are difficult to attach to an axel both of.

Hope you like it. In this activity students will make a car powered by an elastic engine and thus kinetic energy. The description and explanation of the motion of objects involves the interaction of forces and the exchange of energy and can be described and predicted using the laws of physics vcssu133 science inquiry skills in fair tests measure and control. The energy generated from the rubber band snapping back into shape is enough to power this small car.

Plus it s even more fun if you can make a car go without just pushing it or by adding an expensive motor. Use the measuring tape to mark start and end lines that are 5 feet apart. Give students several options in selecting the rubber bands that they will use to power their cars. Rubber bands can inflict pain if mishandled.

Cheap and remote control car. Adult supervision is recommended for children under 10. Our rubber band racecar kit comes with everything you need to build a rubber band car. This activity is adapted from pbs kids.

Key concepts physics potential energy kinetic energy conservation of energy simple machine. Science and technology. Rather than converting chemical potential energy to kinetic energy like your family car this car converts elastic potential energy to kinetic energy. Build a rubber band car what you need.

Kids love building things that move.