Building a mousetrap car for my engineering class -- Help please

AI Thread Summary
The user is experiencing an issue with their mousetrap car where the back wheel spins freely in the air but not when on the ground. The car features two four-inch wood wheels in the front and a twelve-inch wood wheel in the back, with 1/2 inch ball bearings connecting the axle to the frame. Suggestions include checking the alignment of the bearings and experimenting by pushing the car slightly forward. The user is encouraged to upload pictures for better assistance. The discussion centers on troubleshooting mechanical issues related to the car's design and functionality.
unknown5174
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Summary:: My back wheel spins when in the air, but won't when on the ground, help!

My car has two four inch wood wheels on the front and a 12 inch wood wheel on the back, they are securely attached to the axel and I have 1/2 inch ball bearings to connect the axel to the frame. My lever arm is about 18 inches long. I have scoured the internet for an answer but I just can't seem to find why it won't spin while on the ground.
 
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Welcome to PF.

Can you post some pictures? Use the "Attach files" link at the bottom of the Edit window to upload JPEG or PDF files.
 
Welcome!
Could each of the bearings be not in perfect alignment with the axle?
What if you slightly push the car forward?

 
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Thread 'Have I solved this structural engineering equation correctly?'

Thread 'Have I solved this structural engineering equation correctly?'

Hi all, I have a structural engineering book from 1979. I am trying to follow it as best as I can. I have come to a formula that calculates the rotations in radians at the rigid joint that requires an iterative procedure. This equation comes in the form of: $$ x_i = \frac {Q_ih_i + Q_{i+1}h_{i+1}}{4K} + \frac {C}{K}x_{i-1} + \frac {C}{K}x_{i+1} $$ Where: ## Q ## is the horizontal storey shear ## h ## is the storey height ## K = (6G_i + C_i + C_{i+1}) ## ## G = \frac {I_g}{h} ## ## C...
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