What are some strategies for building a successful spaghetti mouse trap car?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the design and construction of a mouse trap car made primarily of spaghetti, with specific constraints regarding materials and dimensions. The goal is to create a vehicle that can successfully navigate a course while also surviving a crash, with additional considerations for protecting an egg housed within the car.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the impact of wheel size on speed and aerodynamics, questioning whether smaller wheels at the front would be beneficial. There is also consideration of the design's effectiveness in a demolition context, with some suggesting a pointy front for impact. The use of one versus two mouse traps for power is debated, alongside the placement of the egg within the car for optimal weight distribution.

Discussion Status

Some participants are offering insights and suggestions regarding design choices, while others are seeking clarification on the mechanics of the proposed car. There is an ongoing exploration of different strategies without a definitive consensus on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within specific constraints, including a maximum weight of 500 grams, a length limit of 50 cm, and restrictions on the use of spaghetti in construction. The discussion also reflects a competitive aspect, as participants express confidence in their designs for an upcoming event.

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Homework Statement



For school I have to make a mouse trap car out of spaghetti. Everything is made of Spaghetti except the wheel and axles and the power arm of the mouse trap. We are allowed to use 1 or 2 mouse traps, one to power the car and one for a demolition device. The mousetrap objective is to survive a crash.. (demolition) and a protect an egg which is housed in a spaghetti house no larger than 10 cm by 10 cm by 10cm. No more than 5 strands of spaghetti can be glued tigther or else it would defeat the purpose of this activity. For wheels only standard size and mini size CD-R or CD+R may be used. four wheels or 3 wheels is our choice and there's a weight limit of 500 grams and a length limit of 50 cm.

Homework Equations



1. Is it better to use a smaller wheel for the front of the car? I am aiming for speed; does smaller wheels in front help?

2. I was thinking of making a mouse trap car with a point in front so that it can "spear" the other car during impact. Is this a good idea?

3. Shoudl I attempt to make a demolition device with my 2nd mouse trap or should I just use 1 mousetrap to power? I heard that trying to use 2 moustraps to power the vehicle is not a good idea..

4. Where should I put the egg? I would assume towards the front becasue of weight.

The Attempt at a Solution



see pic

note: pic is of a proposed cage for the car..
 

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Wow, I've heard of organic fuel but organic car?

If you are simply aiming for speed, a vacuum track would be better but that is besides the point.

No, I don't think wheels affect it that much but it might be necessary for you to use smaller wheels if the front side of you 'car' is smaller than the back for aerodynamics. If your design is simple it is not necessary in my opninion.

Can you please state the mechanism of your car power, how it works? I can imagine several possibilities but how are you exactly planning on doing it?
 
Mechanism is the mouse trap and the string which is wound around the back wheel axle...

I'm planning to place the moustrap inside of the car (see pic) and put 1 wheel in front (I have to break X's infront) and two wheels with axles larger than the front ones.. that's about all...

I hope it'll survive the crash..

I decided not to make a demolition witht he 2nd mouse trap but aimf or speed.. I'm thinkkng of using speed as my tool to break the other car...
 
hey i think i may be able to help you
 
Last edited:
can you post more pictures please? I can help you with more pictures. give me different angles.
 
do you go o canyon...
 
I do, I am in 1rst per trumble, we will win the destruction derby, we will win.
 

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