In this project, we had to design a build a car with a source of potential energy. We could not use nuclear or chemical potential energy(PE), so no batteries. We also could not use remote control. After this car was built, it had to go 5 meters while carries 250 grams and stop as close to 5 meters as possible. Our group started investigating a solar option, and a spring option in case the solar one wouldn't work. It took a lot of trial and error, but we finally got the solar idea to work, and that is why we stuck with it. To see a more detailed account of our building progress, see the building log further down the page. All of the perks of having a solar powered car are listed in our presentation, which you can view below, but to name a few: 1. Our car will travel exactly 5 meters every time because the braking system is a gear system; it's not based on speed. 2. Helios is constantly gaining power from the sun, so energy loss is insufficient. 3. Our powerful geared motor can allow for more weight to be held without slowing down. 4. Our car always has a constant speed.
From that, we built a presentation centered on all the perks of our car for the last few days of the project. When we finished, the last day was for the class to present. This was one of the better project projects in my opinion, because I really enjoyed working with solar power. There were also a lot of challenges to overcome, but I was willing to put the extra time into this project. |
Presentation
What we did and all problems we had to solve:
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The braking system: |
What We Learned/Concepts We Used
During this project, we learned how to calculate all the necessary concepts for this project. We also reused some concepts, such as kinetic energy. In our project, we calculated the following:
Potential Energy of a Solar Panel: Energy the solar panel has at rest. We calculated the potential energy of our solar panels by finding the watt hours(power over time) that our solar panel gained after one second. We then converted that to joules. Watt hours= amps x volts x hours. 1 watt hour = 3600 J.
Kinetic Energy: Energy an object has in motion. KE = 1/2 mv^2
Velocity: the speed of an object
Thermal Energy: Energy that comes from heat. In our project, we said that all potential energy not converted to kinetic energy was lost to thermal energy.
Total Energy: The total energy something has. Our total energy rose each second, because we were gaining energy from the sun. However, the total energy stays the same in the other cars, such as spring cars, because energy can't be created or destroyed. It can be gained, from another object though, such as the sun giving energy to a solar panel.
During this project, we also learned how to calculate potential energy for a spring, even though we didn't use it in our project.
Potential Energy of a Spring(Elastic Potential Energy): stored energy created by stretching a spring or elastic material, such as a rubber band. PE = 1/2 x distance x spring constant^2.
Spring Constant(k): the measure of the elasticity in an elastic material or spring. F(force) = k(spring constant) x d(distance)
During this project, we learned how to calculate all the necessary concepts for this project. We also reused some concepts, such as kinetic energy. In our project, we calculated the following:
Potential Energy of a Solar Panel: Energy the solar panel has at rest. We calculated the potential energy of our solar panels by finding the watt hours(power over time) that our solar panel gained after one second. We then converted that to joules. Watt hours= amps x volts x hours. 1 watt hour = 3600 J.
Kinetic Energy: Energy an object has in motion. KE = 1/2 mv^2
Velocity: the speed of an object
Thermal Energy: Energy that comes from heat. In our project, we said that all potential energy not converted to kinetic energy was lost to thermal energy.
Total Energy: The total energy something has. Our total energy rose each second, because we were gaining energy from the sun. However, the total energy stays the same in the other cars, such as spring cars, because energy can't be created or destroyed. It can be gained, from another object though, such as the sun giving energy to a solar panel.
During this project, we also learned how to calculate potential energy for a spring, even though we didn't use it in our project.
Potential Energy of a Spring(Elastic Potential Energy): stored energy created by stretching a spring or elastic material, such as a rubber band. PE = 1/2 x distance x spring constant^2.
Spring Constant(k): the measure of the elasticity in an elastic material or spring. F(force) = k(spring constant) x d(distance)
Reflection
I felt that this project was very successful, and I would love to do it again. Our group worked really well together and we started off all agreeing and accepting all ideas. We also didn't worry too much when something didn't work, we just kept trying. One peak of the project, something that went well, was that we didn't argue at all. I really liked how in this group, there wasn't a single time where two people disagreed. We tried everyone's ideas, and picked what worked best. Another peak, is that my group and I learned more about solar power. None of us knew what that we needed to find the watt hours of our solar panels to find energy, but we searched on the internet, and found that out. We also learned how to calculate watt hours(volts x amps x hours). My dad also taught me about electricity when we were figuring out which motor to use, and how much voltage the solar panels could put out. We used a voltmeter and I now know how to operate one.
One thing that was a pit of our project, something we could have improved one, was our car's look. Our car was all black, with some light gray and it had a huge rod sticking out the front. It wasn't the most stylist car, and in reality, people want nicer looking cars. I actually designed a new Lego car after this project, with a much nicer looking exterior. I built it because I was inspired by this project. I am actually still building the new car as I write this reflection. I didn't plan to use solar, because I wanted to use a battery with more power and remote control. Check it out on my projects page. Here's a picture of the car in progress below. I think it looks much nicer than the Helios "car," even without being fully finished. I still need to add pieces on the sides to make it look nicer, and the motors are a work in progress currently.
I felt that this project was very successful, and I would love to do it again. Our group worked really well together and we started off all agreeing and accepting all ideas. We also didn't worry too much when something didn't work, we just kept trying. One peak of the project, something that went well, was that we didn't argue at all. I really liked how in this group, there wasn't a single time where two people disagreed. We tried everyone's ideas, and picked what worked best. Another peak, is that my group and I learned more about solar power. None of us knew what that we needed to find the watt hours of our solar panels to find energy, but we searched on the internet, and found that out. We also learned how to calculate watt hours(volts x amps x hours). My dad also taught me about electricity when we were figuring out which motor to use, and how much voltage the solar panels could put out. We used a voltmeter and I now know how to operate one.
One thing that was a pit of our project, something we could have improved one, was our car's look. Our car was all black, with some light gray and it had a huge rod sticking out the front. It wasn't the most stylist car, and in reality, people want nicer looking cars. I actually designed a new Lego car after this project, with a much nicer looking exterior. I built it because I was inspired by this project. I am actually still building the new car as I write this reflection. I didn't plan to use solar, because I wanted to use a battery with more power and remote control. Check it out on my projects page. Here's a picture of the car in progress below. I think it looks much nicer than the Helios "car," even without being fully finished. I still need to add pieces on the sides to make it look nicer, and the motors are a work in progress currently.
Which car do you prefer?
I am glad that this project has inspired me to start another project, and that is why I liked this project so much.
However, another thing that we could have improved on was our presentation. This was a pit. I feel like we could have made it a lot more convincing if each bullet point was more concise. Each of our slides had way to many words on them, and our audience probably wasn't focused the entire time. Overall though, I am extremely satisfied with this project, and I think it will be one of my favorites. The only thing that I would change is that we get to present to the public community, like we did in our previous two projects. I enjoyed presenting at Rube Goldberg Presentation Night, and I believe that our parents would love to see our cars we made as well.
This project was amazing!
However, another thing that we could have improved on was our presentation. This was a pit. I feel like we could have made it a lot more convincing if each bullet point was more concise. Each of our slides had way to many words on them, and our audience probably wasn't focused the entire time. Overall though, I am extremely satisfied with this project, and I think it will be one of my favorites. The only thing that I would change is that we get to present to the public community, like we did in our previous two projects. I enjoyed presenting at Rube Goldberg Presentation Night, and I believe that our parents would love to see our cars we made as well.
This project was amazing!