Rubber Band Powered Car Explanation

Students follow the instructions in constructing a rubber band powered car resource.

Rubber band powered car explanation.

The energy generated from the rubber band snapping back into shape is enough to power this small car. With the rubber band cars the rubber used is made up of long polymer chains that in their natural state are all wrinkled up. How to make a simple car with rubber band. Adult supervision is recommended for children under 10.

Depending on the length of your car you may need two rubber bands. Give students several options in selecting the rubber bands that they will use to power their cars. Think of the fuel economy for your rubber band powered car. Wrap the rubber band around the rear axle.

Aiden has broken the wheels off of the car several times and i ve had to reglue them. Generally three rubber bands are formed into a chain wrapped around the back axle and then taped or glued to the front end of the car. By stretching out an elastic band you re creating potential energy. We used a craft stick for this.

When the axle is twisted it tightens the rubber band making the car spring forward upon release. Our rubber band racecar kit comes with everything you need to build a rubber band car. Build a rubber band car what you need. Rubber band powered car mechanical engineering 57 x the car must have at least three wheels.

Rubber bands can inflict pain if mishandled. I cut a slit in the top of the. In 1878 milton wright the boys father brought home a rubber band powered helicopter. The rubber band road to early flight it was a simple rubber band powered toy that became the inspiration for orville and wilbur wright s interest in flying.

Lots of different objects can have potential energy for example lifting an object off a table creates potential energy. Once the car has been successfully completed the students will make alterations to different parts of the car including but not limited to adding and distributing weights altering the friction coefficient of the wheels and changing the type of rubber band used. We needed two attach the rubber band to a fixed position at the front of the car.