Contents of this post
Warm up
Using physics, explain why the first hill on a roller coaster always the highest.
Designing your mousetrap car
Next week you will build, test, and the mousetrap car. As you build it, you will also determine the work done by the mousetrap spring by measuring the force and distance the mousetrap arm moves.
Watch the following videos, and take notes about ideas that techniques you may use for your car (we will start with materials on Monday).
Record your notes in today’s exit ticket area and the “Three things I learned this week” section of your bookends sheet.
Before you leave today, turn in your bookends sheet (make sure your name is on it!)
Homework
Start thinking about how you might customize your mousetrap car. Each group will receive the following items, extras are are up to you. If you want to use special materials, collect them over the weekend so you can use them on Monday.
- One small mousetrap (larger rat traps are not allowed)
- A light board about 8″ long by 3″ wide (you may replace this if you prefer a different design)
- Dental floss or similar string
- One set of plastic wheels with axle
- One pair of CDs
- Hot glue
- Paint stirrer stick (two lengths available), to extend your mousetrap bar and tie your string to.