Self-contained Egg-moving Device

[Joseph Zambri]

Homework Statement

I have a project for physics that requires me to construct a self-contained egg moving device, that must use falling masses to power it. It must move itself 1.5m, then pick up an egg (in an egg cup holder) off of a standard sized paint can, then move another meter and drop the egg off onto a 2"x4".

Homework Equations

I don't actually HAVE to use any equations, I just have to build the device and explain it.

The Attempt at a Solution

I am still in the brain storming stage, and am just looking for helpful ideas before making a decision on what I'm going to build. I was thinking of just attaching a string to the rear axle and then to a pulley on a tower with a weight that when dropped will propel it. My main concern is taking the egg from the height of the can and lowering it, and then dropping it off on the 2"x4". Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for taking the time to try and help.

 

[berkeman]

Homework Statement

I have a project for physics that requires me to construct a self-contained egg moving device, that must use falling masses to power it. It must move itself 1.5m, then pick up an egg (in an egg cup holder) off of a standard sized paint can, then move another meter and drop the egg off onto a 2"x4".

Homework Equations

I don't actually HAVE to use any equations, I just have to build the device and explain it.

The Attempt at a Solution

I am still in the brain storming stage, and am just looking for helpful ideas before making a decision on what I'm going to build. I was thinking of just attaching a string to the rear axle and then to a pulley on a tower with a weight that when dropped will propel it. My main concern is taking the egg from the height of the can and lowering it, and then dropping it off on the 2"x4". Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for taking the time to try and help.

Welcome to the PF.

I have a very elegant solution, but it would depend on the exact rules for the contest. Can you post the exact, full project rules?

Hint -- There are different ways to use the energy supplied from a falling mass...

 

[Joseph Zambri]

There weren't many rules included in the project, except the ones I've already mentioned and that we are not allowed to use a motor. There was a diagram though, and I've included that along with this.

 

[berkeman]

There weren't many rules included in the project, except the ones I've already mentioned and that we are not allowed to use a motor. There was a diagram though, and I've included that along with this.

What do you mean by "no motor"? If there is no energy storage other than an elevated weight to start, why would they care how you convert that stored gravitational potential energy (GPE)?

 

[Joseph Zambri]

I believe that if if it is initially powered with the falling mass, I can do whatever I want with the power. I just cannot start it with a motor. What did you have in mind?

 

[berkeman]

I believe that if if it is initially powered with the falling mass, I can do whatever I want with the power. I just cannot start it with a motor. What did you have in mind?

Have you worked with microcontrollers (uCs) like the Arduino? Do you have any experience with small electric motors?

If you could efficiently convert the energy of a suspended mass (think bowling ball starting about a meter off the ground) into stored electrical energy on a Supercapacitor, what could you do with it to make this project work really well?

 

[Joseph Zambri]

I don't have any experience with microcontrollers at all. This is my first physics class in high school, so a lot of this energy conversion and storage stuff seems really cool, but WAY over my head, haha. I do know motors fairly well though, but other than that I'm not sure I could work with much else.

 

[berkeman]

I don't have any experience with microcontrollers at all. This is my first physics class in high school, so a lot of this energy conversion and storage stuff seems really cool, but WAY over my head, haha. I do know motors fairly well though, but other than that I'm not sure I could work with much else.

Can you partner with anybody for this project? Or is it totally an individual project?

 

[Joseph Zambri]

Unfortunately it is completely individual .