Fun Project I need some input on

[Rex2342]

My friend was given a project for his physics class and we need some ideas.He has to build a mouse trap car using 2 wire coat hangers,1 small mouse trap, and 2 standard size CD's.We also have a weight limit but he forgot his paper so I'll have to get that info later on and the car has to travel at least 100ft. Now we've decided to use 1 hanger for the basic frame of the car and we've attached the CD's to my RC10LS graphite axle and ball bearings and plan on using rubber bands around the cds for traction.What we need some ideas on is how attach the axle to the frame and how to get the distance we need from the mouse trap.I did a similar project like this in high school and we simply put a rod on the trap to get a longer throw but I'm not sure if this solution will give us the distance we need.Please put in some info and toss out any ideas you guys have!

 

[GilBeQuick]

Assuming that the axle and frame run perpendicular to each other, I'd take very thin wire and wrap it very tightly around the axle and frame where they cross in an X pattern....but before you start to wrap the wire put a drop on epoxy on the axle or frame.

No idea on how to make it travel 100 feet.....that's a long way.

 

[RatzoRC]

Could you use small zip ties to hold it together?

 

[El Pirata]

 

[SkyMaxx]

What you need to do is figure out how many rotations of the CD sized wheels are necessary to drive the vehicle 100ft. From there you can determine how many times to wrap a line around the axle. Attach one end of said line to whatever you decide to attach to the trap part of the vehicle (the portion that usually snaps onto the rodents head). Once you have that figured, you can get the spring to act as the drive mechanism. How? when it snaps it pulls the string which spools the axle up in turn driving the wheels and you are off.

If you want more details, PM me...and I'll gladly provide information. Just realize, that the whole purpose of the exercise is for you to figure it out. Not to have someone else solve the problem and give you the answer.