How Do You Calculate the Energy Stored in a Mousetrap for a Physics Project?

[jk_zhengli]

i have to make a mouse trap car in physics class and calculate a several things afterward. Anyone can help me to calculate the engergy stored n mouse trap based on measurements, ideal machanical advantages and percent efficiency. The mouse trap produces 5N at a 90 degree angle and 11N at a 180 degree angle.

 

[berkeman]

To calculate the energy stored in the spring, you would integrate the force multiplied by the distance as you push the bar from zero to 180 degrees. You can probably use a linear extrapolation of the force by angle, based on the two numbers you are given.

One simple way to make a mousetrap car is to put a lead weight on the bar (and wheels on the wood piece, obviously). Springing the trap will fling the lead weight backwards, and propel the car forwards. What other ways can you think of to convert the stored spring energy into motion? How can you compare the efficiencies of the different conversion mechanisms?

 

[charng]

Hello! It sounds like you have a fun and challenging project ahead of you. I can provide some guidance on how to calculate the energy stored in a mouse trap based on measurements and mechanical advantages.

First, let's define some terms. Energy is the ability to do work, and it is typically measured in joules (J). Mechanical advantage is a measure of how much a machine amplifies a force, and it is calculated by dividing the output force (in this case, the force produced by the mouse trap) by the input force (the force applied to the mouse trap). Efficiency, on the other hand, is a measure of how well a machine converts input energy into output energy, and it is calculated by dividing the output energy by the input energy.

To calculate the energy stored in the mouse trap, we need to know the force and the distance over which that force is applied. Since you mentioned that the mouse trap produces 5N at a 90 degree angle and 11N at a 180 degree angle, we can use this information to calculate the energy stored at both angles.

At a 90 degree angle, the force produced by the mouse trap is 5N. To calculate the energy stored, we need to know the distance over which this force is applied. This can be measured by the distance the mouse trap arm moves when it is triggered. Let's say this distance is 10cm (0.1m). To calculate the energy stored, we use the formula E = F*d, where E is energy, F is force, and d is distance. Plugging in the values, we get E = 5N * 0.1m = 0.5J.

Similarly, at a 180 degree angle, the force produced by the mouse trap is 11N and let's say the distance over which this force is applied is 15cm (0.15m). Using the same formula, we get E = 11N * 0.15m = 1.65J.

Next, we can calculate the ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) of the mouse trap. This is simply the ratio of the output force to the input force. At a 90 degree angle, the IMA would be 5N/5N = 1. At a 180 degree angle, the IMA would be 11N/5N = 2.2.

Finally, we can calculate the