A+
A Rube Goldberg machine is a large set of complicated chain reactions set up to usually complete a very simple task, such as raising a flag, pressing a button, or in our case, stamping a red A+ onto a piece of paper.
Here is a YouTube video of our machine:
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Concepts
Force- Force is a push or pull on an object, and can be calculated by F=MA, or Force=Mass x acceleration
Potential Energy- An energy due to position in height. It can be calculated by PEg=mgh, or Potential Energy=Mass x acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s) x height.
Kinetic Energy- Energy obtained by being in motion. It can be calculated by KE=PE
Mechanical Advantage- How much easier a simple tool makes something.
Mass- The amount of matter in an object.
Velocity- Rate of distance in a certain direction. It is distance divided by time.
Work- Amount of energy put into something. W=FD, or Work=Force x distance
Calculations
Potential Energy of the Zipline
PEg=mgh
PEg=0.2kg(9.8 m/s²)(0.1m)
PEg=0.196 J
Kinetic Energy Transferred to the Marble
KE=PE
KE=0.196 J
Work of Marble moving down Fourth Ramp
W=Fd
W=0.052m/s(0.33m)
W=.017 J
Mechanical Advantage of Pulley
1 pulley
MA=1
Force of Marble Moving through Screw
F=ma
F=0.2m(2.29m/s)
F=0.46 N
Velocity of Marble Down Last Ramp
V=d/t
V=1.12192s/2.8
V=0.44 m/s
Reflection:
We first drew a schematic, or blueprint. It looked very different from our final schematic, because of time constraints and learning that my group and I were not very efficient with each other. We did eventually finish our machine, and we included 14 energy transfers and 12 steps, which is much more than what was required. It took us more time than we were given to finish the machine, as we had to stay in during lunch for 4 or 5 days to complete the project. It took us more time, because we ran into many problems. Many of the challenges we faced were simple, but hard to fix. Everyday a new problem appeared. Most of the time it was just that the marble didn't stay on the ramp, and kept falling off, so we had to apply a railing for the ramp. One day, we drilled 4 large holes in our ramp for the tube, but the tube was too large to fit through the holes, so we had to redo the holes to make them larger. We were able to fit the tub through, but the holes were too far apart so the tube became to tight for the marble to fit through. We also sawed the tube in half, which turned into a very bad idea and we had to duct tape it back together.
I learned a lot about myself during this project. I discovered that I am not quite the leader I thought I was, and many times I find myself being distracted quite easily. I later fixed this by paying more attention to my surroundings and staying away from my friends. I think I improved on my leadership, although just slightly. I also learned that I do not like to build things, at all. Personally, I did not like this project very much, because I found it more stressful than fun. It was a great learning opportunity and it taught me more than any textbook could have.
Force- Force is a push or pull on an object, and can be calculated by F=MA, or Force=Mass x acceleration
Potential Energy- An energy due to position in height. It can be calculated by PEg=mgh, or Potential Energy=Mass x acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s) x height.
Kinetic Energy- Energy obtained by being in motion. It can be calculated by KE=PE
Mechanical Advantage- How much easier a simple tool makes something.
Mass- The amount of matter in an object.
Velocity- Rate of distance in a certain direction. It is distance divided by time.
Work- Amount of energy put into something. W=FD, or Work=Force x distance
Calculations
Potential Energy of the Zipline
PEg=mgh
PEg=0.2kg(9.8 m/s²)(0.1m)
PEg=0.196 J
Kinetic Energy Transferred to the Marble
KE=PE
KE=0.196 J
Work of Marble moving down Fourth Ramp
W=Fd
W=0.052m/s(0.33m)
W=.017 J
Mechanical Advantage of Pulley
1 pulley
MA=1
Force of Marble Moving through Screw
F=ma
F=0.2m(2.29m/s)
F=0.46 N
Velocity of Marble Down Last Ramp
V=d/t
V=1.12192s/2.8
V=0.44 m/s
Reflection:
We first drew a schematic, or blueprint. It looked very different from our final schematic, because of time constraints and learning that my group and I were not very efficient with each other. We did eventually finish our machine, and we included 14 energy transfers and 12 steps, which is much more than what was required. It took us more time than we were given to finish the machine, as we had to stay in during lunch for 4 or 5 days to complete the project. It took us more time, because we ran into many problems. Many of the challenges we faced were simple, but hard to fix. Everyday a new problem appeared. Most of the time it was just that the marble didn't stay on the ramp, and kept falling off, so we had to apply a railing for the ramp. One day, we drilled 4 large holes in our ramp for the tube, but the tube was too large to fit through the holes, so we had to redo the holes to make them larger. We were able to fit the tub through, but the holes were too far apart so the tube became to tight for the marble to fit through. We also sawed the tube in half, which turned into a very bad idea and we had to duct tape it back together.
I learned a lot about myself during this project. I discovered that I am not quite the leader I thought I was, and many times I find myself being distracted quite easily. I later fixed this by paying more attention to my surroundings and staying away from my friends. I think I improved on my leadership, although just slightly. I also learned that I do not like to build things, at all. Personally, I did not like this project very much, because I found it more stressful than fun. It was a great learning opportunity and it taught me more than any textbook could have.