Building a Physics Machine: 6 Concepts, 12 Units

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a Grade 12 physics project that requires participants to build a machine incorporating at least six physics concepts. The conversation explores various ideas for the project, including a Rube Goldberg machine, a catapult, and the integration of different physics principles such as energy transfer, projectile motion, and electricity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests starting with a simple setup, such as a ball rolling down a ramp, and encourages others to consider what they want to build.
  • Another participant proposes a catapult, noting it primarily involves energy transfer, projectile motion, and levers.
  • Some participants discuss the potential to incorporate additional physics concepts into their designs, such as using a pulley to launch a catapult.
  • A suggestion is made to consider a Rube Goldberg device, which could demonstrate multiple principles in a fun and engaging way.
  • Participants explore the idea of using springs, ramps, circular motion, and pulleys in their projects, with some discussing the feasibility of integrating light and magnetism.
  • Questions arise about the energy transfer in the proposed designs, particularly regarding whether a car would have enough energy to activate a lever or pulley system.
  • One participant shares a preliminary sketch and inquires about the effectiveness of an electromagnet in attracting a moving metal ball.
  • There is also a question about the suitability of copper wire for coils in the project and whether a 9v power source would be sufficient.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of ideas and suggestions, with no clear consensus on a single approach. Multiple competing views on project designs and the integration of physics concepts remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various physics concepts and their potential applications, but there are unresolved questions regarding energy transfer and the effectiveness of certain components in the proposed designs.

Who May Find This Useful

Students and educators interested in project-based learning in physics, particularly those exploring the integration of multiple physics concepts in a hands-on project.

Gurinder R
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Hello, I am in Grade 12 physics class and I have been given a open ended project; where we are required to build/create a machine which would involve at least 6 of the physics concepts:

ramps, pulleys, levers, transfer of momentum/energy, projectile motion, circular motion, stored elastic energy in a spring or like, harmonic motion, pendulums, impulse, inelastic or elastic
collisions, electricity, magnetism, light, photocells.

We can talk to our teacher and add anything else if it follows grade 12 curriculum.

Unit 1 Kinematics
Unit 2 Dynamics
Unit 3 WEM
Unit 4 GEM fields
Unit 5 Modern Physics
Unit 5 Light

I was first thinking of a rube goldberg machine but it would be too time consuming and hard to setup... as anyone in the class should be able to perform the machine.
 
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Just keep it simple is my best suggestion. It could be as simple as setting up a ball to roll down a ramp into another ball. You can add things like levers or pulleys or whatever to release the ball. What do you WANT to build? This is your project after all.
 
Drakkith said:
Just keep it simple is my best suggestion. It could be as simple as setting up a ball to roll down a ramp into another ball. You can add things like levers or pulleys or whatever to release the ball. What do you WANT to build? This is your project after all.

well i was thinking of building a catapult but that is just transfer of energy. projectile and levers.
 
pulley - circular motion - stored elastic energy in a spring or like - lever - transfer of momentum/energy - projectile motion - inelastic or elastic collision ... hmm reminds me of something :)
 
Gurinder R said:
well i was thinking of building a catapult but that is just transfer of energy. projectile and levers.

Are you sure? I see at least 1-2 more physics concepts from your list that can apply. What will cause the catapult to launch?
 
Delta Kilo said:
pulley - circular motion - stored elastic energy in a spring or like - lever - transfer of momentum/energy - projectile motion - inelastic or elastic collision ... hmm reminds me of something :)

hmm...?
 
Drakkith said:
Are you sure? I see at least 1-2 more physics concepts from your list that can apply. What will cause the catapult to launch?

a lever would launch the catapult, i was thinking maybe i can pull the lever by using a pulley and a mass?
 
Gurinder R said:
a lever would launch the catapult, i was thinking maybe i can pull the lever by using a pulley and a mass?

Sure, that is an option. Can you think of anything to add to the catapult that would be one of the other physics concepts?
 
Drakkith said:
Sure, that is an option. Can you think of anything to add to the catapult that would be one of the other physics concepts?

a spring?
 
  • #10
I think your first idea was a good one--a Rube Goldberg device doesn't necessarily have to be huge or complicated, and it has the added bonus of allowing you to demonstrate each of those principles separately.

For instance, you could start off with a miniature car on a track that begins a couple of feet above the table. You could start it moving forward with a spring-loaded mechanism (like a pinball plunger), then have it twirl downward along the track. Then you could have it crash into something, perhaps roll into a bay at the end which puts it back at the top again via a lift. That would easily cover the requirements.

Sounds like fun, actually :)
 
  • #11
alienprophecy said:
I think your first idea was a good one--a Rube Goldberg device doesn't necessarily have to be huge or complicated, and it has the added bonus of allowing you to demonstrate each of those principles separately.

For instance, you could start off with a miniature car on a track that begins a couple of feet above the table. You could start it moving forward with a spring-loaded mechanism (like a pinball plunger), then have it twirl downward along the track. Then you could have it crash into something, perhaps roll into a bay at the end which puts it back at the top again via a lift. That would easily cover the requirements.

Sounds like fun, actually :)

what type of concepts would it implement?

I can see springs, ramps, circular motion, pulleys, transfer of energy...
 
  • #12
Gurinder R said:
a spring?

Sure, you could use a spring. I'd say you pretty much have most of your project's concepts figured out. If you can add another concept to it then you'll be good.
 
  • #13
Gurinder R said:
what type of concepts would it implement?

I can see springs, ramps, circular motion, pulleys, transfer of energy...

From what I wrote, that is a pretty good inventory. Getting one or two more in there wouldn't be too much of a problem--for instance, you could use a latch to hold back the pinball plunger/spring device that launches the car, then lift it with a lever. Lighting tricks would be easy--maybe you could have the track go partially under a body of water, to show refraction. There are tons of ideas--about half of your project is how you present it, because you could turn in a stick and argue for a bunch of the forces already (light, electrical forces holding the stick together, the Earth rotating through space, etc.)
 
  • #14
alienprophecy said:
From what I wrote, that is a pretty good inventory. Getting one or two more in there wouldn't be too much of a problem--for instance, you could use a latch to hold back the pinball plunger/spring device that launches the car, then lift it with a lever. Lighting tricks would be easy--maybe you could have the track go partially under a body of water, to show refraction. There are tons of ideas--about half of your project is how you present it, because you could turn in a stick and argue for a bunch of the forces already (light, electrical forces holding the stick together, the Earth rotating through space, etc.)

i was just wondering umm would the car have enough energy to hit the lever so the pulley can operate with the electric motor...?
 
  • #15
I have attached a preliminary sketch of the project but my questions is would the electromagnet be able to attract the metal ball in motion?

2q0ugqr.png


This would include:

Springs
Ramps
Circular Motion
Light (Refraction)
Projectile
Electricity
Magnetism
Forces
Transfer of Energy
 
  • #16
I wanted to know if copper wire is the best for coil and for a core wire hangers.

9v would be sufficient?
 

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