Energy & PowerBy Braydon Hall

Energy

0All energy for Mousetrap Vehicle.

Question

0Using the same amount of energy how might we create s little power as possible?...

0The Solution: use a lever.

Mousetrap vehicle

Types of Energy

0Elastic Potential Energy0Kinetic Energy0Thermal Energy

Transfers of energy

0Elastic Potential Energy stored in the mousetrap

Potential turns to Kinetic as the vehicle begins to move

Kinetic energy turns to Thermal as the friction of the mechanics give off heat

Mechanical Advantage

0 If you think of a lever you are extending the reach of your engine in order for it to move a greater distance at a slower pace therefore decreasing the power of the mousetrap while utilizing the energy that was simply wasted before.

In Motion

0http://youtu.be/ZjVukOoGIC4?t=1m

Power Vs. Traction

0 At the start of the vehicles test run the power of the engine outmatched the traction of the wheels on the floor. Causing them to spin and releasing most of the energy in an unfocused manor. Much like a dragster race car that uses extremely wide wheels we would need to increase

our traction in order to better focus our energy.

More Power

0How?.....Remove lever0The effect?...greater likelihood for wheels to spin.The energy would be used to quickly to be effective in mousetrap.Instead of converting into forward kinetic energy it would become thermal and kinetic through the act of making sound.

Less Power

0How?... Longer lever. Decrease wheel spin. Increase energy converted to forward kinetic energy. Prolong the time at which the vehicle is receiving power.