Unleashing the Power of a Mousetrap Engine: max Velocity of 50g Car

In summary, a boy has built a treehouse and a device to pull himself up with a platform attached to a rope. The boy has a mass of 39kg, while the two other boys helping have masses of 34kg and 32kg. Halfway through pulling, one of the boys lets go of the rope. The questions are: a) What will be the velocity of boy A when he hits the ground? b) How high will boy B go above the ground? To solve this problem, one can use free body diagrams and the equation F=ma, assuming a frictionless pulley and inelastic rope.
  • #1
Craig113
25
0
a ball with the mass of 50 grams hangs on a very light thread who has the length of 80 cm and swing back and forth (pendel). At the beginning of the movement the maximum angle that the thread formed when moving was 35 degress, but after one minute tha angle had declined to 2o degress.The time for the ball to make one swing from its lowest point to its highest remained the same.

The question is: Is the power that the swinging energi (mekanic energi) from the pendel turns into other energi forms under one minute bigger or smaller than the averge power of the pendel?

------------------

A boy has build himself a treehouse that is located 3.8 meters above the groud. He has also build a device that consists of a small platform he can stand on. The platform is attached to a rope that runs throw a
small easily moveable wheel located above the threehouse. With this device the boy can be pulled up to the threehouse by somebody pulling the rope from the ground. The boys mass it 39 kg (boy a), two other boys that help pulling him up have the mass of 34 kg (boy b) and 32 kg (boy c).

Halfway pulling the platform up to the threehouse with boy A standing on it, suddenly boy c let's the rope go, while boy b hang on to it.

the questions are:
a) With what violocity will boy A hit the ground?
b) How high above the ground will boy B go?
--------------------
A mousetrap is used as a engine for a small car with the mass of 50 gram.The car mus be able to travel 8 meters. the mousetraps arm is about 4 cm, and it can be pulled 180 degress. The force needed to pull the arm of the mousetrap is linear dependable to the turning angle. its at its lowest point 2 N and on its highest about 10 Newton.

the question is: What it the maximum violocity this car can have?
-----------
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Craig113 said:
A boy has build himself a treehouse that is located 3.8 meters above the groud. He has also build a device that consists of a small platform he can stand on. The platform is attached to a rope that runs throw a
small easily moveable wheel located above the threehouse. With this device the boy can be pulled up to the threehouse by somebody pulling the rope from the ground. The boys mass it 39 kg (boy a), two other boys that help pulling him up have the mass of 34 kg (boy b) and 32 kg (boy c).

Halfway pulling the platform up to the threehouse with boy A standing on it, suddenly boy c let's the rope go, while boy b hang on to it.

the questions are:
a) With what violocity will boy A hit the ground?
b) How high above the ground will boy B go?

You can calculate the answer to this problem by considering free body diagrams around each of the two boys and resolving forces, if you assume a frictionless pully and an inelastic rope - both boys will accelerate at the same rate. All you need is F=ma. I started the calculations but need to go, sorry I can't be more help.
 
  • #3


The content provided discusses the potential of using a mousetrap engine to power a small car with a mass of 50 grams. The maximum velocity of the car is estimated to be 8 meters, and it is mentioned that the force needed to pull the arm of the mousetrap is linearly dependent on the turning angle.

To answer the question of the maximum velocity of the car, we need to consider the principles of energy conversion and conservation. The mousetrap engine converts the potential energy stored in the spring arm into kinetic energy to move the car. The maximum velocity of the car will depend on the amount of energy that can be converted and the resistance or friction acting against the car.

In this scenario, the maximum force exerted by the mousetrap is 10 Newtons, which is at its highest point. This will be the maximum force that can be used to move the car. Using the equation for kinetic energy, KE = 1/2mv^2, we can calculate the maximum velocity of the car.

Assuming all the potential energy of the mousetrap is converted into kinetic energy, we can calculate the velocity using the formula:

10 N = 1/2 x 0.05 kg x v^2

Solving for v, we get a maximum velocity of approximately 6.32 m/s. This is the theoretical maximum velocity that the car can achieve with the given parameters.

However, in reality, there will be factors such as friction and air resistance that will affect the actual velocity of the car. Also, as the mousetrap arm is pulled back, the force decreases, resulting in a lower maximum velocity. Therefore, the actual maximum velocity of the car may be lower than the calculated value.

In conclusion, the maximum velocity of the car using the mousetrap engine can be estimated to be around 6.32 m/s, but in practical terms, it may be slightly lower due to external factors.
 

Related to Unleashing the Power of a Mousetrap Engine: max Velocity of 50g Car

1. How does a mousetrap engine work?

A mousetrap engine works by converting the potential energy stored in a wound-up mousetrap spring into kinetic energy. When the mousetrap is triggered, the spring is released and its potential energy is transformed into the kinetic energy of the car's movement.

2. What determines the maximum velocity of a mousetrap-powered car?

The maximum velocity of a mousetrap-powered car is determined by the strength of the mousetrap spring, the mass of the car, and the efficiency of the car's design. A stronger spring and lighter car will result in a higher maximum velocity.

3. Can the maximum velocity of a mousetrap-powered car be increased?

Yes, the maximum velocity of a mousetrap-powered car can be increased by optimizing the design of the car and using high-quality materials. By reducing friction and making the car more aerodynamic, the efficiency of the car can be improved, resulting in a higher maximum velocity.

4. Is it possible to calculate the maximum velocity of a mousetrap-powered car?

Yes, the maximum velocity of a mousetrap-powered car can be calculated using the equation v = √(2k/m), where v is the velocity, k is the spring constant of the mousetrap spring, and m is the mass of the car. However, this calculation assumes ideal conditions and does not take into account factors such as friction and air resistance.

5. What are some real-world applications of mousetrap-powered cars?

Mousetrap-powered cars are often used in educational settings to teach students about energy and motion. They can also be used in competitions, with students designing and building the most efficient and fastest cars. In the real world, mousetrap-powered cars have been used in engineering and design projects to test and improve energy efficiency in vehicles.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
558
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
6K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
2
Replies
35
Views
9K
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
14K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
17K
  • General Discussion
Replies
1
Views
8K
Back
Top