Mouse trap car - it is a simple yet fascinating contraption. It is usually designed to resemble a small vehicle with only a snap trap, more commonly known as a mouse trap, as its source of motive power.
Mouse trap cars are interesting devices that demonstrate how the different forces discussed in the natural sciences, Physics in particular, could be harnessed efficiently in order to produce desired results. That is why it is common to see this machine as a project or homework for Physics class.
Basically, for mouse traps to be effective, it must store a sufficient amount of potential energy which should be translated efficiently to kinetic energy. This is important because the kinetic energy must produce enough torque to create a rotational inertia that will move the wheel and axle of the vehicle. But the energy or force must not be concentrated on the rotational inertia alone, it must be efficiently displaced as well into linear motion to achieve maximum performance. These relations and transformations of energies from one form to another and the transformation of energy to force and from force to motion are the key aspects that a mouse trap maker should consider during the planning and designing stage.
Now, Mouse trap cars are made up of very simple parts. The most important, of course is the mouse trap. Then you will need some strings, any round object that could be used as wheels, a rod, a base for the car and axles. Of course, these materials could be changed or replaced depending on your design, but with these simple, basic and readily available materials, you could create your own vehicle.
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It is an interesting piece of machine that would test and squeeze out the creativity and spatial awareness of an individual to produce a well performing mouse trap car. In fact, there are mouse trap car contests held that cater to people whose interests were captured by these vehicles.
There are actually two types of mouse trap cars. One type is built for speed, while the other is built for distance. Depending on the design specifications, the materials used and the positions of the parts, you could create either of the two types of mouse trap cars.
This site’s objective is to provide help and information on creating a well performing mouse trap car. This way, hobbyists, beginners and even high school students who just want to pass his Physics class would have viable and reliable source of information.
