Design a Long-Distance Paper Car with Lou-Vee-Air

[cdowney8]

I am a high school senior and for physics class we are making cars out of paper, paper clips, straws, glue, and tape. The cars must have a propulsion system made out of those materials as well. I am struggling at figuring out a design that will go atleast 20 feet. Any ideas? help is greatly appreciated

 

[Andrew Mason]

I am a high school senior and for physics class we are making cars out of paper, paper clips, straws, glue, and tape. The cars must have a propulsion system made out of those materials as well. I am struggling at figuring out a design that will go atleast 20 feet. Any ideas? help is greatly appreciated

The materials listed don't seem to work unless you are blowing air through the straw and using the paper as a sail. Otherwise, you will need something like an elastic band to store energy.

AM

 

[kyle8921]

I am excited to hear about your project and I am happy to offer some suggestions for designing a long-distance paper car with Lou-Vee-Air. First, it is important to understand the principles of motion and propulsion. In order to travel a long distance, your car will need a strong and efficient propulsion system.

One idea is to use the paper clips as axles and wheels, and the straws as the body of the car. You can use glue and tape to secure these materials together. For the propulsion system, you can use a balloon as a source of compressed air. Attach the balloon to the back of the car with tape or glue, and then release the air to create a force that propels the car forward.

Another option is to use the Lou-Vee-Air concept to create a wind-powered car. You can use the straws as the framework of the car and attach paper sails to catch the wind. You can experiment with different shapes and sizes of sails to find the most efficient design for your car.

Additionally, you can try using a rubber band as a source of energy for your car. Attach the rubber band to the axles and wind it up tightly. When released, the rubber band will unwind and provide a burst of energy to propel the car forward.

Overall, the key to designing a successful long-distance paper car is to experiment with different designs and propulsion systems. Keep in mind the principles of motion and try to optimize the efficiency of your car. Good luck with your project and have fun exploring the world of paper car design!