Can You Build a Mouse Trap Vehicle with Only 2 Mousetraps and a MA-15 Tail Gun?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the construction of a mousetrap vehicle designed to travel 5 meters and return to its starting point, specifically using a maximum of two mousetraps. Participants explore various engineering ideas and challenges associated with this project.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in building a mousetrap vehicle that can return to its starting point, seeking assistance in the design.
  • Another participant suggests that the project sounds like a school assignment and asks for the original poster's ideas on how to achieve the goal.
  • A participant recalls a similar project from their past, proposing that the first mousetrap could trigger the second one at the end of the journey, while noting the need for the second mousetrap to be larger to compensate for energy loss during the trip.
  • This participant also highlights the importance of alignment to ensure the vehicle travels straight, as their previous experience showed a tendency for the vehicle to veer left.
  • Another suggestion involves using a rubber band wound around the axle to help the vehicle return to its starting point, assuming minimal friction.
  • A participant humorously shares their experience with an R/C dune buggy equipped with a mousetrap, indicating a playful approach to the concept.
  • Further discussion about the R/C vehicle includes a question about a helmet cam, which the participant responds to by mentioning budget constraints.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing ideas and approaches to the mousetrap vehicle design, with no consensus reached on a single method or solution. The discussion remains open to various interpretations and suggestions.

Contextual Notes

Participants express different assumptions about the mechanics involved in the vehicle's operation, including energy dissipation and alignment issues, which remain unresolved.

freqs
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I am very interested in engineering, so I decided to build a mousetrap vehicle. I want my vehicle to reach 5 meters and return back to its original destination by itself. I need help constructing this system to accomplish this goal. Is there any way to build it with 2 mousetrap at most?
 
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freqs said:
I am very interested in engineering, so I decided to build a mousetrap vehicle. I want my vehicle to reach 5 meters and return back to its original destination by itself. I need help constructing this system to accomplish this goal. Is there any way to build it with 2 mousetrap at most?

Sounds like a school project. What are your ideas so far about how to do it?
 
I remember doing this many years ago in middle school, but we didnt have to make the vehicle return to its original position. That's a neat extra challenge.

I suppose you would have to have the first mouse trap set off the second mouse trap when it gets to the bottom. I think the second mouse trap would have to be larger to make up for the energy that will be dissipated during the original journey, and unless the second mousetrap starts once the vehicle is stopped on its own you will have to account for the energy necessary to slow the vehicle down and change its direction.

I remember when I did this my vehicle always turned to the left. If yours does that I imagine it will be difficult to make it return to its original location if it can't move in straight lines. So make sure everything is lined up well.
 
Why don't you just have a regular mousetrap car. However, as it move forward, have it wind up a rubber band or something attached to the axle.

It may cycle a few times, but neglecting friction it should come back to rest where it started.
 
I have the perfect mousetrap car. It's an R/C dune buggy with a mousetrap on the front that I use to chase the little bastards around the house.
 
Danger said:
I have the perfect mousetrap car. It's an R/C dune buggy with a mousetrap on the front that I use to chase the little bastards around the house.

Predator! Do you have a helmet cam on the RC vehicle? This is starting to sound like fun!
 
berkeman said:
Do you have a helmet cam on the RC vehicle?
Alas, no. I'm on Social Assistance (Welfare in Yank-speak). My budget doesn't allow for such things. I could barely afford the MA-15 tail gun. :biggrin:
 

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