Zero impact vehicle that needs to travel 9 through 12 m

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on creating a self-propelled vehicle that must stop between 9 to 12 meters from a wall without using electrical or chemical components. Suggestions include using mechanical systems like rubber bands, spring weights, and gear mechanisms to control stopping. A proposed idea involves implementing a sensing mechanism, such as an air jet that triggers brakes when approaching the wall. The need for calibration based on the unknown distance to the wall is emphasized, as well as the potential for modifications to the rules to increase difficulty. The conversation highlights the importance of innovative mechanical solutions to meet the project requirements.
Physicsdood99
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


the vehicle needs to stop as close to a wall that is located anywhere from 9 to 12 m away. (The distance is not given exactly) The vehicle must be self propelled and has other specifications located here http://www.njaapt.org/PhysicsOlympics/2011-2012/EVENT%205%20-%20Zero%20Impact%20Vehicle.pdf . There can be no electrical components or chemical/ nuclear.



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


rubber bands, spring weights, pulleys, mechanical launcher, mouse trap
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Physicsdood99 said:

Homework Statement


the vehicle needs to stop as close to a wall that is located anywhere from 9 to 12 m away. (The distance is not given exactly) The vehicle must be self propelled and has other specifications located here http://www.njaapt.org/PhysicsOlympics/2011-2012/EVENT%205%20-%20Zero%20Impact%20Vehicle.pdf . There can be no electrical components or chemical/ nuclear.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


rubber bands, spring weights, pulleys, mechanical launcher, mouse trap
My suggestion would be to use a gear mechanism driven by a spring. Set it up so that when the gear stops the wheels stop immediately. Then all you have to do is calibrate the gear-wheel ratio and configure it so that when the wheels have turned 8000/2∏r times (where r is the radius of the wheels in mm.) the gear stops and the wheels stop. Just a suggestion.

AM
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The attempt at a solution does not address the stopping mechanism.
 
I assume this bit is a modification of the rules given in the pdf to make it harder...

the vehicle needs to stop as close to a wall that is located anywhere from 9 to 12 m away. (The distance is not given exactly)

That means some way of sensing the wall is required.

Not sure how to implement it but... what about bouncing an air jet off the wall so it operates a trigger stopping the wheels. I'm thinking something like a small hover craft turned on it's side mounted on an arm in front of the vehicle. As it approaches the wall it hovers say 5mm from the wall. The vehicle keeps moving until the angle of the arm trips the brake. Final score 5mm, perhaps less :-)
 
Last edited:
Is there a time limit? If so you may need to go fast for say 8.5m and then really slowly until the wall is detected.
 
CWatters said:
I assume this bit is a modification of the rules given in the pdf to make it harder...

That means some way of sensing the wall is required.
Perhaps the OP can clarify this. When you start the car do you know how far the wall is? If you will know this, then all you have to do is have a calibrating mechanism so you can set it for different stopping distances.

AM
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top