Mousetrap Vehicle C
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Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
since the rules dont seem to specify it i would highly recommend sending in a rule clarification since my statement was based off past rules
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Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
They do mention it but maybe not explicitly.croman74 wrote:Oh, ok. Thanks for that clarification. The rules really don't specify it.
6.b.i explains what minimum distance you are targeting for
6.d explains what maximum distance you are trying to not go exceed.
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Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
Actually, it is pretty explicit. You must cross the 7 m line or receive a penalty of 1000 points (rule 6.b.i). You must not cross the 8 m line, or you will receive a penalty of 50 points (rule 6.d). Other than that, it doesn't matter how far you go unless you fail to reverse - it matters where you stop. If you fail to reverse, then you want to go as close to 7 m as you can, but you will be in the 2nd tier (rule6.b.ii).penclspinner wrote:They do mention it but maybe not explicitly.croman74 wrote:Oh, ok. Thanks for that clarification. The rules really don't specify it.
6.b.i explains what minimum distance you are targeting for
6.d explains what maximum distance you are trying to not go exceed.
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Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
Flavorflav wrote:Actually, it is pretty explicit. You must cross the 7 m line or receive a penalty of 1000 points (rule 6.b.i). You must not cross the 8 m line, or you will receive a penalty of 50 points (rule 6.d). Other than that, it doesn't matter how far you go unless you fail to reverse - it matters where you stop. If you fail to reverse, then you want to go as close to 7 m as you can, but you will be in the 2nd tier (rule6.b.ii).penclspinner wrote:They do mention it but maybe not explicitly.croman74 wrote:Oh, ok. Thanks for that clarification. The rules really don't specify it.
6.b.i explains what minimum distance you are targeting for
6.d explains what maximum distance you are trying to not go exceed.
Thanks! I felt that I knew what was going on with the 7min/8max rule, but it's nice to know I have outside confirmation on my take on that portion of the rules. :]
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Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
Clearly a key part of this event is minimizing axle-frame friction. It will rob you of speed and distance if it is too high. I have been using silicone lubricant on my axle and frame, which are both plastic. Does anyone have opinions on the best lubricants for different surfaces?
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Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
Well I had the problem that my string would catch on the drive axle and found the best lubricant for string was beeswax.
causes it to not stick but still have enough friction to move the axle.
And for the axles i used WD-40 or something of the same general concept
causes it to not stick but still have enough friction to move the axle.
And for the axles i used WD-40 or something of the same general concept
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Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
Another traditional lubricant would be graphite powder. If one of your surfaces were porous, it would probably work longer than liquid lubricants, but for plastic on plastic I'm not sure if it would be better or worse than anything else.
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Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
I saw a video on youtube where someone made a mousetrap car with huge wheels on the back axle and small wheels on the front axle. The interesting thing was that the rod connected to the mousetrap that pulled the car forwards was a fishing rod. The rod was like another elastic force pulling the car forward because when the mousetrap was barely , like a centimeter or two, coming up, the rod was in an arch like shape pulling the string. Also, because of the way the car was contructed(all wood, made for a tech class) the speed was reletively low.
So here is my question, could we possibly do the same?
So here is my question, could we possibly do the same?
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Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
This question has come up often in the past. In my opinion, the answer lies in whether or not the energy stored in the rod is derived from the mousetrap, or is in addition to it. With the mousetrap bail in the "locked and loaded" position, is the rod bent from its relaxed state? If so, it contains energy in addition to that stored in the mousetrap and therefore violates the rules. If the rod is bent only after the mousetrap is released. the energy stored in the rod is derived from the mousetrap and does not violate the rules.
This may be subject to different interpretation by diffefent judges. Only the judge at the tournament where you will compete can answer the question with any degree of certainty.
This may be subject to different interpretation by diffefent judges. Only the judge at the tournament where you will compete can answer the question with any degree of certainty.
Information expressed here is solely the opinion of the author. Any similarity to that of the management or any official instrument is purely coincidental! Doing Science Olympiad since 1987!
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Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
yes, the rod is in a relaxed state before the mousetrap is set, so I will assume it does not violate any rules. ultimately this decieion does rely on the tournament judges.
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