The Air Car
2nd Quarter Independent Study
1934
1932 Helicron at Lane Motor Museum
***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dvgl6RCGc&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGuHD3bmlM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7h97PfqXl8&feature=related&safety
_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active
ATTENTION!!
• It is strongly recommended each
student obtain project information
from the available handout (on my
website) and NOT by word-of-mouth.
WRONG
INFO
GOAL 1:Using the instructions
provided, design and build an
air car that will travel 30 feet
and pass through a designated
target area.
Materials list
•
•
•
•
Electric motor
Propeller
9V battery clip
One wire lead with two alligator clips
Materials list
• Four wheels 1 3/8” diameter with
3/32” tread width
• 18” lengths of 1/8” diameter dowel
rod.
• Four straws 9/64” diameter X 5”
length.
Supplies YOU need to bring in:
• Appropriate size box to store your car and
supplies in
• A box for the body of your car. The box should
be LESS THAN 8 inches on any given side.
• 9-volt batteries (2 is recommended)
Construction requirements
• The car presented for the final design must include
the electric motor, propeller, wheels and dowel rod
(as axels) provided in class.
• The motor may be connected to a battery however
you choose to do so.
• Any type of tape or glue may be used in the
construction of the car.
• The following items may NOT be used in the
construction of the air car:
– Legos, K’NEX or parts from any other construction
sets.
– Any parts from a car “kit” (e.g. CO2 car)
– Any parts from any type of toy car or model car
Demonstrating Your Car
• Five attempts to demonstrate your
car.
• Attempts 1- 3 are FREE.
• Attempt 4 costs 5% of grade
–10 points
• Attempt 5 costs 10% of grade
–20 points
Attempt 1
Attempt 2
Attempt 3
Attempt 4
Attempt 5
Air Car
travels 30
feet through
3 foot target
area.
Air Car
travels 30
feet through
3 foot target
area.
Air Car
travels 30
feet through
3 foot target
area.
Air Car
travels 30
feet through
3 foot target
area.
Air Car
travels 30
feet through
3 foot target
area.
Air Car
travels 30
feet through
6 foot target
area.
Air Car
travels 30
feet through
6 foot target
area.
Air Car
travels 30
feet through
6 foot target
area.
Air Car
travels 30
feet through
6 foot target
area.
Air Car
travels 30
feet through
6 foot target
area.
Air Car
travels 30
feet.
Air Car
travels 30
feet.
Air Car
travels 30
feet.
Air Car
travels 30
feet.
Air Car
travels 30
feet.
Air Car
travels 20
feet.
Air Car
travels 20
feet.
Air Car
travels 20
feet.
Air Car
travels 20
feet.
Air Car
travels 20
feet.
Air Car
does not
meet
minimum
performance
or
construction
standards.
Air Car
does not
meet
minimum
performance
or
construction
standards.
Air Car
does not
meet
minimum
performance
or
construction
standards.
Air Car
does not
meet
minimum
performance
or
construction
standards.
Air Car
does not
meet
minimum
performance
or
construction
standards.
100 points
80 points
70 points
60 points
50 points
100 points
80 points
70 points
60 points
50 points
100 points
80 points
70 points
60 points
50 points
90 points
70 points
60 points
50 points
40 points
80 points
60 points
50 points
40 points
30 points
IMPORTANT NOTICE
• If on the scheduled day the project is due a
student is absent due to a field trip, in-school
performance, out of school trip, etc. then the
student must demonstrate the car for a final
grade the day before.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
• If a student is on a preplanned absence (i.e.
vacation, surgery) the day the project is due
then the car must be demonstrated the last
day the student is in school before the
absence begins.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
• If an unplanned absence (i.e. illness) occurs on
presentation day, the project will be
presented on the students’ first day back
from the absence. Students may need to
make alternate transportation arrangements
for presentation before or after school.
Goal #2: Students will
complete an in-class
journal of the
engineering design
process while completing
the project.
Journal
• Minimum of 4 practice trials with
teacher’s signature and journal
entry
• Sketch of final design
• Sequence of energy conversions
(flow chart)
Practice trials
• Must be witnessed by teacher and
initialed on your paper BEFORE you
start your next trial!
• Journal of each trial will include the
following:
• What worked?
• What didn’t work?
• What are you going to change?
Sketch of final design
• Must include the following:
– Include a side, top and bottom view of the car.
– Measure and label the length, width, and height
of the car in centimeters
– Label ALL THE PARTS of the car in the sketch
Kinetic
Heat
There is
friction
between the
ball and the
surface.
Kinetic
Sound
The ball emits
sound as it
moves.
Potential
Gravitational
The ball starts
at the top of
the hill.
Kinetic
Mechanical
The ball begins
rolling down
the first hill.
Kinetic
Heat
There is
friction
between the
ball and the
surface.
Potential
Gravitational
The ball gains
gravitational
energy as it
rolls up the
smaller hill.
Kinetic
Mechanical
The ball begins
rolling down
the second hill.
Kinetic
Sound
The ball emits
sound as it
moves.
Extra credit options
• You may earn up to 5% extra credit.
• Locating a recent scientific article (no more
than 5 years old) and complete Science in the
News write up. The article may be about any
of the following: science of air cars or fan cars,
Ions, Ionic Bonding, Balancing Equations,
Classification of Matter, Chemical Reactions,
Chemical or Physical Properties. (+5%)
Project Schedule
• All supplies needed for the project due and building
starts
December 5th in class
• Final trial due by
December 9th by 3 PM
• Science Article and write up for 5% bonus
December 9th