Can a stiffer spring help my Newton Scooter travel 1.5 meters?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter islandboy401
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Newton Scooter
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on optimizing a Newton Scooter's performance by selecting the appropriate spring. The user has experimented with a retractable pen spring but is experiencing energy dissipation issues. It is established that a stiffer spring, characterized by a higher Spring Constant (k), can potentially provide greater force and energy transfer, which is crucial for achieving the desired travel distance of 1.5 meters. Efficiently converting the spring's potential energy into kinetic energy is essential for the scooter's success.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Third Law of Motion
  • Knowledge of Spring Constant (k) and Hooke's Law
  • Basic principles of energy transfer in mechanical systems
  • Familiarity with the concept of potential and kinetic energy
NEXT STEPS
  • Research different types of springs and their Spring Constant values
  • Explore methods for minimizing energy dissipation in mechanical systems
  • Investigate techniques for maximizing energy transfer from potential to kinetic energy
  • Study examples from the Great Egg Race for practical applications
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics enthusiasts, engineering students, and hobbyists interested in mechanical design and energy transfer optimization in projects like the Newton Scooter.

islandboy401
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
I am trying to construct a Newton Scooter (one powered by Newton's Third Law) using a spring. Basically, I am supposed to make the scooter travel 1.5 meters. I've tried using a spring from a retractable pen, but the vehicle I constructed seems to be going nowhere. It seems as though too much of the spring's energy is being dissipated.

I know that the force exerted by a spring depends on the Spring Constant (k) and the distance compressed (x).

Thus, I just wanted to ask, should I get a stiffer string for my purpose or a easily compressible one? Do stiffer-springs have greater spring constant values? Is there a way I can efficiently transfer all of the Spring's potential energy into kinetic energy for the vehicle?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Try googling the great egg race.
 

Similar threads

High School Why is my experimental spring constant an order of magnitude off?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Distribution of Energy when work is done on a system of 2 masses connected by a spring
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
2 blocks and a spring, SUVAT and F=ma
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Energy Efficiency of Compressed-Air-Powered Parabola Riding Vehicle?
  • · Replies 169 ·
6
Replies
169
Views
15K
Force of Falling Objects at a Height
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
High School Understanding Watt & Newton: Questions for Physics Forum
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
High School Non-dissipative losses in elastic collisions between rotating discs?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Two blocks collide with spring in-between.
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Energy seems to disappear when gas is compressed?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Can anyone me with this spring question?
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
9K