The Great Slow Race: Compete to Move the Furthest & Slowest!

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on a competition to design a vehicle powered by a spring that can stretch up to 40 centimeters, with the goal of maximizing the score calculated as time multiplied by distance. Participants propose building a car using balsa wood for the structure, record wheels on an axle, and floss to connect the axle to the spring. The design aims to optimize the force by minimizing the axle radius while exploring methods to slow down the vehicle without adding energy to the system, such as using smaller back wheels.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics principles related to springs and energy transfer.
  • Familiarity with vehicle design concepts, specifically regarding wheel and axle mechanics.
  • Knowledge of materials suitable for lightweight construction, such as balsa wood.
  • Experience with competitive engineering design challenges.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research methods to optimize spring mechanics for vehicle propulsion.
  • Explore advanced vehicle design techniques to enhance stability and control.
  • Investigate the effects of wheel size on vehicle speed and distance traveled.
  • Learn about energy conservation principles in mechanical systems.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for engineering students, hobbyists in mechanical design, and participants in competitive engineering challenges focused on innovative vehicle propulsion methods.

xiuxiu
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Okay, so here's the competition:

We will be given a spring that can stretch to no more than 40 centimeters in length. That spring has to be used to power some type of vehicle to move as far and as slow as possible. Our score will be determined by this: time*distance=score.

Our idea is to make a car: put record wheels on an axel, wrap floss around the axel, then attatch it to the string and attach wheels in back to the structure. Our back wheels will be as small as possible. Probably the structure will be made out of balsa wood. Other keeping the force high (by keeping the radius of the axel small), is there any better way to slow the spring down / keep the car moving?
 
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Oh yeah, and we can't add any energy to the system. e.g. 3 kg pulleys that lower to change potential gravitational energy into kinetic energy.
 

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