How do you find the potential energy of a mousetrap car?
The energy stored in a mousetrap spring is found using the formula : EPE = ½kθ2, where k is spring constant of the mousetrap spring, a measure of how “tough” the spring is and is the angle (in radians) the torsional mousetrap spring compresses.
What is the potential energy of a mouse trap?
When a mousetrap is set, the spring in the center is compressed, becoming a source full of potential energy. This energy is being stored, not used, but as soon as the trap is released, it is converted to kinetic energy (the energy of motion) that propels the snapper arm forward.
How is energy conserved in a mousetrap car?
Energy conservation proved a useful lens as we discovered with students how the initial potential energy stored in the mousetrap spring is converted into the translational kinetic energy of the car, the rotational kinetic energy of the wheels, and the eventually dominant heat energy lost due to axle friction.
How does a mouse trap powered car work?
A basic mousetrap car is powered by attaching a string to the “snap” lever on the trap, looping the other end to a small hook on the axle, winding the string around the axle of the car pulling back on the lever and arming it. There are many of variations of how to attach a mousetrap to drive the wheels.
What type of energy is used in a mousetrap car?
potential energy
The basics The mousetrap storespotential energyin the form of the spring. That potential energy is converted into kinetic energy in the form of the arm rotating forward. The arm pulls on the wound-up string, which turns the drive wheel dowel, which is connected to the wheels, which makes the car drive forward.
What is the best way to design a mousetrap car for distance?
Using large rear wheels allow one rotation of the axle to take the car a much further distance. In other words, a given length of the string from the mousetrap moves the car a greater distance. The last note is to place your mousetrap as close to the front of the car as possible.
How does a mouse trap kill a mouse?
Traditional snap traps, also known as spring loaded-bar mousetraps, are commercially available and widely used. Snap traps are placed along pathways rodents travel, and an attractant such as food or nesting material can be used. When the spring mechanism is triggered, a metal bar snaps and kills the rodent.
