How many wheels is best for a mousetrap car?

How many wheels is best for a mousetrap car?

It’s probably best to use 4 wheels. The CDs are a good choice for both sets of wheels. How do I make a mousetrap car go? The arm should have a string attached to it, with the other end of the string wrapped around the back axle (which will spin the axle when the arm snaps forward).

How does wheel size affect mousetrap car?

By changing the size of the drive wheel(s) you can speed-up or slow-down your mousetrap vehicle. With speed-trap racers smaller wheels will have a shorter travel distance per turn but will be much easier to accelerate and will require less pulling force to achieve the same acceleration as a larger wheel.

Are Bigger wheels better for a mousetrap car?

By changing the size of the drive wheel(s) you can speed-up or slow-down your mousetrap vehicle. Larger drive wheels will have a greater travel distance per each turn compared to smaller drive wheel.

What will make a mousetrap car go faster?

A speedy mousetrap car will have smaller wheels (faster acceleration), a shorter lever arm (increased torque, but smaller travel distance), a larger axle (increased acceleration) and will generally be smaller to decrease air resistance.

Are big wheels better for a mousetrap car?

Larger drive wheels will have a greater travel distance per each turn compared to smaller drive wheel. It would make sense to use a super huge drive wheel so for each turn of this massive drive wheel the mousetrap vehicle will travel an incredible distance.

What makes the wheels turn in a mousetrap car?

The design of your car allowed that energy to be transferred to the axle to make the wheels turn. When the trap snapped closed, it yanked the string forward. As the string was pulled, friction between it and the axle caused the axle to rotate, spinning the wheels and moving the car forward.

Is there a good mousetrap car to build?

While there are several other good mousetrap car Instructables and videos to be found out there and many car designs that travel faster and farther, I like these plans for their simplicity and ability to adapt and modify. It makes a great 4-H or class project that provides an opportunity to learn some basic physics and engineering skills.

How do you make a Mousetrap at home?

Now to prepare the wheels for your mousetrap car. Put a piece of tape over the hole in the center of the DVD or CD you are using. Turn the DVD or CD over and put a beveled faucet washer into the center, sticking it to the tape. Then, use a generous amount of hot glue to hold it in place.

Where can I get a CD ROM for a mousetrap car?

CD ROMS can usually be found from free sources. (A) If you can not find a tarp strap, no doubt other rubbery materials will work. The coat hanger wire axle fits tightly into the rubber and no glue is needed. Eraser material should work also but it is heavier.