Evidence
This is our Rube Goldberg Machine. A Rube Goldberg Machine is a complex machine with many different steps to complete a simple task.We have worked on it for about a month and we worked on building and the physics. We worked with materials provided by our teacher Mr. Williams, so materials weren't much of an issue. A lot of work was put into this and we were very happy with our results.
Overall, we had eleven steps. In the first step, the "shark" wood block falls down the zip line. In the second step, the "shark" falls to hit the first domino system which causes them to topple. In the third step, the domino topples to hit the fishing weight to fall of the ledge which brings the front of the "shark" to pull up mimicking a fishing rod. In the fourth step, the weight falls and hits the lever system causing the marble to roll off the levers. In the fifth step, the marble rolls off the lever onto the first inclined plane and then falls onto the second inclined plane. In the sixth step, the marble rolls down the second inclined plane and then hits the second domino system causing the to topple. In the seventh step, the dominoes topple to hit the marble into the screw which it then rolls down. In the eighth step, the marble rolls out of the screw and onto the third inclined plane. In the ninth step, the marble hits the wheel and axle from the previous inclined plane. In the tenth step, the wheel rotates around to hit the marble sitting on the ledge which rolls it to the other end. In the eleventh and final step, the marble hits the weight and using the pulley system, opens the "treasure chest".
Overall, we had eleven steps. In the first step, the "shark" wood block falls down the zip line. In the second step, the "shark" falls to hit the first domino system which causes them to topple. In the third step, the domino topples to hit the fishing weight to fall of the ledge which brings the front of the "shark" to pull up mimicking a fishing rod. In the fourth step, the weight falls and hits the lever system causing the marble to roll off the levers. In the fifth step, the marble rolls off the lever onto the first inclined plane and then falls onto the second inclined plane. In the sixth step, the marble rolls down the second inclined plane and then hits the second domino system causing the to topple. In the seventh step, the dominoes topple to hit the marble into the screw which it then rolls down. In the eighth step, the marble rolls out of the screw and onto the third inclined plane. In the ninth step, the marble hits the wheel and axle from the previous inclined plane. In the tenth step, the wheel rotates around to hit the marble sitting on the ledge which rolls it to the other end. In the eleventh and final step, the marble hits the weight and using the pulley system, opens the "treasure chest".
Physics of Each Step
Definitions
Velocity- rate of covered distance in a direction Equation- v=d/t Unit- Meters/Second Acceleration- rate of change in velocity (speeding up/slowing down) Equation- a=v/t Unit- Meters/Second^2 Force- push or pull on an object Equation- F=ma Unit- Newtons Work- amount of energy put into something(Work=Potential Energy=Kinetic Energy) Equation- W=Fd Unit- Joules Potential Energy- energy an object has due to its position at a height or in a gravitational field Equation- PE=mgh Unit- Joules Kinetic Energy- energy due to motion Equation- 1/2mv^2 Unit- Joules Ideal Mechanical Advantage- how much further (distance) you have to push using a tool Equation- MAideal=distance with machine/distance without machine or effort/load Real Mechanical Advantage- how much easier (less force) a tool makes something Equation- MAreal= force without machine/ force with machine or load/effort |
Physics
Step 1: The average velocity of the “shark” is 0.343 meters per second. Step 2: The dominoes topple which means that the center of gravity (the point at which gravity is considered to act upon) is outside of the area of support (the area beneath the object that makes contact the base). Step 3: The mass of the weight is .02 kilograms and the weight accelerates at 9.8 meters per second. The force of the weight falling is .196 Newtons because force equal mass times acceleration. Step 4: The falling weight hits the first lever with 0.196 Newtons of force. Some, but not all, of that energy is transferred to the second lever, causing it to rise all drop the marble. Friction accounts for the lost energy. Step 5: The final velocity of the marble rolling down the ramp is 0.29 meters per second. Step 6: The dominoes topple which means that the center of gravity (the point at which gravity is considered to act upon) is outside of the area of support (the area beneath the object that makes contact the base). Step 7: The mechanical advantage of the screw is 2.8. This is calculated by dividing the length of the actual tube by the height that the marble rolls down. Step 8: The ball hits the wheel and axle with a force of 0.082 Newtons. Step 9: The mechanical advantage of the wheel and axle is 0.7 Step 10: The final velocity of the marble before hitting the weight is 0.66 meters per second. Step 11: The mechanical advantage of the pulley system is 2 because the amount of pulleys is 2. |
Final Thoughts
Overall, this project was pretty good and I had lots of fun doing this. We had many things that went right. One thing that went right was our team chemistry. It is important for a team to be able to work together and I think that we worked very well together. Another thing that went right was our final presentation. When we presented, we were nervous at first but when we actually presented everything worked out great and I think our overall presentation went well. Lastly, I think that we did very good with production. I think that we tried really hard to finish and we definitely got it done in time.
However, there are things that our group could've improved on. One thing that we could've improved on is communication of information. Although, we knew what we wanted to do, there were problems of what we wanted to say and how we wanted to say it. Another thing that we could've worked on is work distribution. We should've split up the work more evenly to get more work done and I feel like that one or two people lead the entire project. Lastly, we could've improved on planning. Most of the time, we discussed things minimally and just build with barely a plan at all. If we planned more things out, maybe we could've got work done easier. Overall this project was a great learning experience and I hope to use the skills I gained in my everyday life.
However, there are things that our group could've improved on. One thing that we could've improved on is communication of information. Although, we knew what we wanted to do, there were problems of what we wanted to say and how we wanted to say it. Another thing that we could've worked on is work distribution. We should've split up the work more evenly to get more work done and I feel like that one or two people lead the entire project. Lastly, we could've improved on planning. Most of the time, we discussed things minimally and just build with barely a plan at all. If we planned more things out, maybe we could've got work done easier. Overall this project was a great learning experience and I hope to use the skills I gained in my everyday life.