Soup Can Race Help: Faster & Slower Cans

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In summary, the conversation discusses the upcoming soup can race in a high school physics class and the different categories of cans that must be used. It is suggested that larger but lighter cans with less dense fluids will be the fastest. The conversation also explores the physics behind can modifications and the effects of mass and air resistance. The use of dense materials and the advantage of using liquids in the cans is also mentioned.
  • #1
sugarfreeky22
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Soup Can Race: Help!

Later this week my high school physics class is having the traditional soup can race. However, we have four cans to work with:1 stock can that must be the fastest, one stock can that must be the slowest, 1 modified can that must be the fastest, and one modified slower can. If I am not mistaken, the larger but lighter cans, with less dense fluids, should be the fastest, correct? I am in desperate need of suggestions for the modified cans version. The cans can be modified in that materials may be added to them, so long as no sort of motors are attached. :)
 
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  • #2
For a can to be fastest, it needs a greater mass and minimal diameter. The moment of inertia, which provides resistance to rotation, increases linearly with mass, but quadratically with radius.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/icyl.html#icyl2


Larger cans with less mass will rotate more slowly than smaller cans. Larger cans will also have more air resistance.

To get more mass in a given volume, one must fill the volume with denser material.
 
  • #3
Astro takes all the fun out of Pinewood Derby car races too...:tongue2:
 
  • #4
How about sloshing effects if the cans aren't full...
 
  • #5
Well, let's not forget the advantage that liquid-filled cans have over, say, a can of baked beans. Since the liquid will not rotate initially, the only moment of inertia to consider is that of the empty can. Ideally, a very heavy but very non-viscous fluid would be best, I'd think.
 
  • #6
What in bloody hell is a 'soup can race'? :confused:
 

1. How does soup can race help cans go faster and slower?

Soup can race helps cans go faster and slower by allowing scientists to study the effects of different factors, such as shape, weight, and surface material, on the speed of the cans. By manipulating these variables, scientists can determine the optimal conditions for a can to go faster or slower.

2. What is the purpose of studying soup can race?

The purpose of studying soup can race is to gain a better understanding of the principles of motion, such as speed, acceleration, and friction. This knowledge can then be applied to real-world situations, such as improving the efficiency of transportation systems or designing better sports equipment.

3. Can soup can race be used to improve the design of cans?

Yes, soup can race can be used to improve the design of cans. By analyzing the performance of different cans in a race, scientists can identify the features that contribute to faster or slower speeds. This information can then be used to design cans that are more aerodynamic and efficient.

4. Is soup can race only for cans?

No, soup can race can be used to study the motion of other objects as well. The principles and techniques used in soup can race can be applied to any object that can be raced, such as toy cars, marbles, or even animals.

5. How can soup can race help in understanding the laws of physics?

Soup can race can help in understanding the laws of physics by providing a simple and controlled experiment to observe and measure the effects of different variables on the motion of objects. Through soup can race, scientists can test and validate the principles of physics, such as Newton's laws of motion, in a fun and interactive way.

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