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A mousetrap car works on the principle of a lever. One end of the lever is connected to a spring. When a force is used to pull up the other end of the lever up, the spring tightens, storing energy. A string is attached to the lever arm and wrapped around the rear axle.
How far do mousetrap cars go?
The average distance the rattap car went was 18.6875ft and the average distance the mousetrap car went was 25.5ft.
How does a mousetrap car go straight?
File the back of the front axle hole on the side of the frame opposite the direction the vehicle is turning. bonus tip: Once the axle holes are in alignment the mousetrap vehicle will travel straight.
How do you make a mousetrap car move?
If a mousetrap vehicle is struggling to move and/or needs more acceleration then the lever arms can be shortened in order to increase the pulling force. Keep in mind that you will also have to reposition the mouse trap closer to the drive axle or the system will not work as intended.
What makes a mouse trap car fast?
A speedy mousetrap car will have smaller wheels (faster acceleration), a shorter lever arm (increased torque, but smaller travel distance), a larger axle (increased acceleration) and will generally be smaller to decrease air resistance.
How fast should a mousetrap car go?
Also, the average speed for the mousetrap car is 2.0467ft/s and the rattrap car’s average speed is 3.2911ft/s.
How long should the lever arm be on a mousetrap car for distance?
For maximum speed, position the mousetrap 2 1/4 inches from the drive axle and cut the lever arm to a length of 4 1/4 inches. The lever arm can be cut using a dremel tool or by using a fine tooth hobby saw. The lever arm should always be “just” long enough to reach the drive axle or performance will be compromised.
How do mousetrap cars reduce friction?
Try to have a minimum gap of 1/8 inch between the frame and any spacers (or wheels) in order to decrease any rubbing friction. Use thrust washers and graphite powder between spacers (or wheels) and the frame to help reduce the rubbing friction.
Where do you put mouse traps in your car?
Mouse traps: Mouse traps are a relatively quick and clean way to keep mice from invading your car. Place the traps on the tops of your tires as this is most likely their point of entry into your vehicle.
How do you get more torque on a mousetrap car?
The gearing of a mousetrap car determines the acceleration and the travel distance.Increase the torque by any of the following: shorten the length of the lever arm. using a smaller diameter drive wheels, or. increase the diameter of the drive axle.
What materials do you need for a mousetrap car?
What You Need: Wooden snap-back mousetrap. Duct tape. 4 eye hooks. Wooden dowel that fits inside the eye hooks. Heavy cardboard. Large and small rubber bands. Foam board (usually found at a craft store) String.
What is the fastest mousetrap car?
The Speed-Trap Racer is the fastest mousetrap powered racer anywhere and was designed after Doc Fizzix’s own record-setting mousetrap racer that traveled 5 meters in 1.2 seconds.
How wide should a mousetrap car be?
The ideal size for an ultra big wheel on a long distance mousetrap racer seams to be somewhere between 10 and 15 inches. And the ideal size for a drive wheel on a speed-trap racer seams to be between 2 and 3 inches but no more than 4 inches.
Should a mousetrap car be heavy or light?
Above all, your car should be light. The smaller the mass of your car, the better — every gram or milligram you can shave off of your car’s frame is a little further your mousetrap will be able to push your car.
What is an axle hook on a mousetrap car?
An important part of a mousetrap vehicles propulsion system is the axle hook. If the string does not properly release from the drive axle the string will rewind around the drive axle and cause the mousetrap car to come to an instant stop.
How do wooden cars reduce friction?
The easiest way to reduce friction is to lubricate the surfaces that cause friction. Lubrication is an essential part of pinewood derby racing. Purchase a tube of dry PRO Graphite with moly and shoot it onto the axle shaft and inside the wheel bore. Spin the wheel so the graphite works in.
What to do if a mouse is in your car?
How do I get a mouse out of my car? Turn up the heat. Just like humans, mice don’t like extreme temperatures. Honk the horn. Loud noises, like honking your horn, may scare a mouse of its new home in your car. Use repellent. Set mousetraps.
How do you keep mice out of stored cars?
Place deterrents such as cedar wood, dog hair, human hair, or peppermint oil inside. Set mouse traps inside the vehicle to catch any rodents that enter — or try reputable sound repellant devices. Open the hood of a parked car to eliminate the dark, warm environment that mammals seek when building a nest.
How do I keep mice out of my car and garage?
How to Keep Rats and Mice Out of Your Car Keep the Area Clear. Eliminate Food Sources. Use Light to Deter Nesting. Use Repellant Fragrances and Odors. Block Points of Entry. Use Electronic Deterrents. Don’t Leave Your Car Unused for Long Periods of Time. Use Biological Deterrents.
What is a mouse trap race car?
Mousetrap cars are an old standby for science projects in grade school. The idea is to use the spring mechanism of a standard mousetrap to power a homemade race car. The trap bar is tied to a string wound around the axel and when it is sprung, the spinning string around the axle forces the car forward.
What happens when the drive wheels are released?
When the drive wheels are released, the string is pulled off the drive axle by the mousetrap causing the wheels to rotate.
What is axle tramp?
Axle tramp is caused when FWD cars lose traction with the road surface, causing the wheels to bounce/vibrate vertically (up & down). This is usually not good for the car as it is loud and potentially damaging, maybe.
Why does a mousetrap car stop?
The lock-nut braking system uses a wing-nut that travels along a threaded axle. As the threaded axle turns a wing nut travels along the threaded axle until it lock tight against the frame of the vehicle, or the axle, causing the vehicle to come to an instant stop.
What wheels should I use for a mousetrap car?
As you might guess, the materials used to build mousetrap-powered cars are light out of necessity. Foamcore board or balsa wood are often used for the body. The wheels can be off-the-shelf radio-controlled car wheels, but many builders use blank CDs or DVDs because their thin edges reduce friction.
