Schematic
Building Process
While we were building the rube goldberg machine, we found out some things didn't work, and we came up with new ideas as well. For example, the k'nex structure that was made to throw a ball did not work properly. As a result we removed it, and replaced that step with a ramp.
Finished product
descriptions of TRANSFORMATIONS of energy (steps)
There are 23 energy transformations in this system.
Marble moves down paper roll {kinetic} (A), then onto paper ramp {kinetic} (B), then hits a series of books {kinetic} (C), which then hits a roll of tape {kinetic} (D), which then pushes a marble down a hole (E) {PE -> kinetic} . The marble then moves down a ramp , stopping and moving twice due to bumps {PE -> kinetic} (F) (G). Once the marble moves to the end of the ramp, the added weight forces the ramp to move upwards giving the car potential energy (H). The car eventually moves down the ramp {kinetic} (I), and hits a basket full of rocks (J). The basket full of rocks falls {kinetic} and creates tension on the string holding it (K). The tension in the string forces the switch on the fan to move (L). The fan turns electric energy (M) into circular motion {blades} (N), and then into wind energy (O). The wind pushes the marble down the ramp (P), and hits a series of dominoes (Q), which then hits a ball (R). The ball falls onto a rope (S), which creates tension and pulls the switch on the lantern (T), to create electrical energy (U) and light energy (V).
Marble moves down paper roll {kinetic} (A), then onto paper ramp {kinetic} (B), then hits a series of books {kinetic} (C), which then hits a roll of tape {kinetic} (D), which then pushes a marble down a hole (E) {PE -> kinetic} . The marble then moves down a ramp , stopping and moving twice due to bumps {PE -> kinetic} (F) (G). Once the marble moves to the end of the ramp, the added weight forces the ramp to move upwards giving the car potential energy (H). The car eventually moves down the ramp {kinetic} (I), and hits a basket full of rocks (J). The basket full of rocks falls {kinetic} and creates tension on the string holding it (K). The tension in the string forces the switch on the fan to move (L). The fan turns electric energy (M) into circular motion {blades} (N), and then into wind energy (O). The wind pushes the marble down the ramp (P), and hits a series of dominoes (Q), which then hits a ball (R). The ball falls onto a rope (S), which creates tension and pulls the switch on the lantern (T), to create electrical energy (U) and light energy (V).
Types of energy/MOTION
Circular motion - blades of fan rotating
Projectile Motion - after the marble passes through the paper tube roll (A), the marble is a projectile before it hits the paper ramp (B)
Rolling Motion - balls and marbles roll (A)
Gravitational energy - the ramp is lifted up to give the car gravitational energy (I)
Kinetic Energy - the marble moving down the ramp has kinetic energy, because it is in motion (Q)
Elastic Energy - there is elastic energy in the string/rope used to turn on the fan/light switch (L) (U)
Conservation of Momentum -
Electric field - an electric field is created by the circuit inside of the fan (N)
Projectile Motion - after the marble passes through the paper tube roll (A), the marble is a projectile before it hits the paper ramp (B)
Rolling Motion - balls and marbles roll (A)
Gravitational energy - the ramp is lifted up to give the car gravitational energy (I)
Kinetic Energy - the marble moving down the ramp has kinetic energy, because it is in motion (Q)
Elastic Energy - there is elastic energy in the string/rope used to turn on the fan/light switch (L) (U)
Conservation of Momentum -
Electric field - an electric field is created by the circuit inside of the fan (N)
Circular motion
The blades of the fan rotate in uniform circular uniform motion {kinetic energy} to create wind energy.
20 revolutions in one second
Avg Speed = circumference/time = (0.26m / 0.05s ) = 5.2 m/s
20 revolutions in one second
Avg Speed = circumference/time = (0.26m / 0.05s ) = 5.2 m/s
Projectile
After the marble passes through the paper ramp (B), the marble acts as a projectile before it collides into a book.
Rolling
After the tape rolls (D), it collides into a marble which has rolling motion, since it undergoes translation and rotational motion.
Gravitational potential energy
The car (H) has gravitational potential energy, because it has height relative to the ground.
PE = mgh
PE = (0.035 kg) ( 9.8 m/s/s ) ( 0.13m )
PE = 0.04459 J
PE = mgh
PE = (0.035 kg) ( 9.8 m/s/s ) ( 0.13m )
PE = 0.04459 J
kinetic
In step D, the tape rolls forwards and has kinetic energy since it is in motion.
KE = 0.5mv^2
KE = 0.5mv^2
elastic
The rope (S) has elastic potential energy. The rope is stretched out and has tension, and stores energy as well.
conservation ofmommentum
Momentum in a system is conserved (I) (J). The car had momentum, which was equal to the momentum of the basket full of rocks.
P = P'
mv = m'v'
P = P'
mv = m'v'
PRACTICE run
The test run was unsuccessful. We found that the dominoes were too heavy to be knocked down by the marble we were using. We tried using different dominoes and also positioning the dominoes differently. We ended up using a bigger marble, and adjusting the ramp in order to fit the larger marble.
test run
Despite the system working in previous trials, the final run was unsuccessful. We concluded this was because the in step R, the domino was placed too closely to the ball, causing the domino to fall on top of the ball instead of pushing it.
improvements
Navreek - We could have used lighter dominoes in step Q, so that the marble would be able to knock over the dominoes more easily.
Mehali - We made the base out of cardboard. We had a chance to redo our system, we would use a stronger material to prevent titling.
Ashar - We could have used a heavier/larger marble in step P, which would have made it easier to knock down the dominoes.
Mehali - We made the base out of cardboard. We had a chance to redo our system, we would use a stronger material to prevent titling.
Ashar - We could have used a heavier/larger marble in step P, which would have made it easier to knock down the dominoes.