Physics and The Mousetrap Car

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Work and Energy: Definitions Work: a force causing a displacement in the direction of the force When work is done on a system the energy of the system increases Energy: the ability to do work or move Kinetic Energy: Energy due to motion

Work and Energy: Definitions Potential Energy: Stored Energy Can be stored in elastic properties of springs Can be due to position in a gravitational, electrical, or magnetic field Can be stored in chemical bonds Conservation of Energy: Energy can neither be created or destroyed, but often changes forms

Work and Energy The energy for the motion of the car comes from the work done to pull back the spring arm. The energy is stored in the spring as elastic potential energy until the spring is released The potential energy is transferred to kinetic energy as the car moves

Friction Friction between the axles and the body and friction with the air reduces the motion of the car As the car rolls to a stop, the kinetic energy of the car is turned into heat and is lost to the environment Friction between the wheels and the floor is necessary for the car to move

Motion: Acceleration The car is accelerated by the force from the spring As the car stops, friction produces a negative acceleration

Motion: Velocity The car’s velocity is its speed and direction Average velocity will be measured by timing a 3 meter section of the motion Direction of motion should remain constant for best results

Motion: Displacement The car’s displacement is the straight line distance between starting and ending points and the direction If no change in direction occurred during the motion, the distance and the displacement will have the same magnitude