Italy High School

Introduction

The racing world is always looking for a faster car, and you’ve been hired to build a prototype…a propeller car that can reach top speeds! 

Task

You will design and build a propeller car that moves the fastest over a 5-meter distance.  The air coming from the propeller alone must move the car.  You will keep a journal of your progress.

Process

1. I will provide the motor.  The car can be made of anything you can dream up, but NO ready-made kits are allowed.  The air from the propeller only must power them.

2. Use the Big 6 research method to help in this project.

3. First review Newton’s Laws of Motion

4. Review the proponents of a propeller here

5. Brainstorm (write down) a list of sources where you might find information on propeller cars that will exhibit these laws of motion.

6. Try these suggested sites for ideas:

The Propeller Car

The Lou-Vee-Air-Car

How to Build a Lou-Vee-Air Car

Mousetrap Cars and Rubber Band Cars

Rubber Band Powered Cars

Balloon Powered Car

7. Also look in the reference section of the library in encyclopedias for information on different types of propellers and Newton’s Laws or the online encyclopedias at the Italy High School Library web site.

8. Keep a journal as you progress through this project.

9. Sketch your propeller car design and list the materials needed.

10. After assembling the materials, now build your propeller car remembering that only the air that comes from the propeller can move it.

11. You will “race” your car against your classmate’s projects in a class exhibition.

12. Include in your journal a final analysis/self evaluation on how well you think you did on this project.  Include:

--What did I do right?

--What did I do wrong?

--What would I change if I could?

--How could I make the project better?

Evaluation

You will receive 1 test grade for this project in the following breakdown of 100 points:

--Journal (10)—turned in on time

--Followed rules (40)—did what was asked

--Working product (25)—car traveled 5 meters

--Neatness (10)—neat design and good construction

--Final Analysis/Self Evaluation (10)—followed guidelines

--Winner (5)—If you win the speed contest, you get 5 extra points, second place gets 4 points, third place gets 3 points, fourth place gets 2 points, and fifth place gets 1 point.

NO late projects will be accepted!

Due Dates

Feb. 20—Introduction

Mar. 7—Journal check

Mar. 28—Presentation

April 4—Final project due

Conclusion

At the end of this project you will become more acquainted with Newton’s Laws of Motion and the physics involved in building and designing a functional propeller car. 

Credits

Art courtesy of Technical University of Denmark.

revised 16 February 2006