HYBRID CAR DESIGN
November Twenty-Second, Two Thousand Thirteen
Purpose of Designing A Hybrid Car
In this project, our goal was to build a prototype of a car that can run on an alternative energy source. The requirements for this car was that it should be able to carry two hundred fifty grams five meters on a classroom floor and doesn't use gasoline. We also had to create a sales pitch to advertise our car to the Hyundai company. In our presentation, performance graphs were included to help visualize the distance traveled, rate of velocity and acceleration, and the energy transfer. A couple of major points about the car was that it should be cost efficient, reach the target zone, and approach five meters relatively quickly. We were encouraged to be creative and inventive when we planned different methods of achieving the desired results. In order to be successful, our group had to factor in the diverse sources of energy available as well as the amount of friction needed to complete this task.
In this project, our goal was to build a prototype of a car that can run on an alternative energy source. The requirements for this car was that it should be able to carry two hundred fifty grams five meters on a classroom floor and doesn't use gasoline. We also had to create a sales pitch to advertise our car to the Hyundai company. In our presentation, performance graphs were included to help visualize the distance traveled, rate of velocity and acceleration, and the energy transfer. A couple of major points about the car was that it should be cost efficient, reach the target zone, and approach five meters relatively quickly. We were encouraged to be creative and inventive when we planned different methods of achieving the desired results. In order to be successful, our group had to factor in the diverse sources of energy available as well as the amount of friction needed to complete this task.
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Video Of The Hammerhead in Action (Left)
Presentation (Below)
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After explaining the basis of the project, the rest of the time was dedicated to our individual group work. When left to our own resources, our group drew out a calendar timeline and set deadlines for certain aspects of our project. As well as building a working car, we also had to piece together a presentation to convince others to support our own car design. Since this sales pitch was a very important part of this project, we always needed to keep in mind the positive aspects of our unique car. Another portion of this project that made it seem more professional was that there was no limit. Each group had very different and original ideas that they managed to shift in order to succeed. There were no boundaries to the diverse ways of transferring potential, kinetic, and thermal energy and there was no distinct way our presentation was required to be shown.
Velocity V. Time
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Acceleration V. Time
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Energy V. Time
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EXPLANATION OF GRAPHS:
In the velocity graph, it clearly shows our car speeding up quickly in the first second. After it reaches its peak, friction slows the car down; eventually it reaches a complete stop around four seconds. Our car has a high rate of acceleration at the start and slows down at the midpoint. Unfortunately, due to human error, the graph shows acceleration instead of deceleration. In reality, the car would not accelerate after it reached its highest point. In the energy graph, the thermal energy gradually increases showing more friction while both the kinetic and potential energy reach zero. When the kinetic energy decreases, this is when the car is coasting as friction pulls it to a stop.
In the velocity graph, it clearly shows our car speeding up quickly in the first second. After it reaches its peak, friction slows the car down; eventually it reaches a complete stop around four seconds. Our car has a high rate of acceleration at the start and slows down at the midpoint. Unfortunately, due to human error, the graph shows acceleration instead of deceleration. In reality, the car would not accelerate after it reached its highest point. In the energy graph, the thermal energy gradually increases showing more friction while both the kinetic and potential energy reach zero. When the kinetic energy decreases, this is when the car is coasting as friction pulls it to a stop.
Physics Concepts
There were many different physic principles behind this project including velocity, acceleration, and energy transfers. Throughout the testing of our car, we took measurements, times, and masses in order to accurately calculate different aspects of our car. In our graphs at the bottom, we illustrated the main points of physics prominent in this project. In order to graph the distance versus time correctly, we needed to set a constant interval on the x-axis even though the times changed at each meter. Originally, we were going to use a computer program so we could directly insert the pictures onto our PowerPoint presentation, but the intervals were always off. Because the points would not line up with the second marks, we drew the graphs so the time would have a steady increasing number. We did this with each graph so they would clearly show the change in each component.
For velocity and acceleration, we started by finding the changes in time. From there, we calculated velocity which was the distance divided by the time it took to travel that distance. Using the calculated velocity, we applied the formula change in velocity dived by the changes in time. We graphed both the acceleration and velocity using the same process we used to illustrate the distance. Unfortunately, due to human error in timing, the acceleration graph showed an increase of speed even though friction continuously slowed the car down. It was a incomplete wreck.
To find the amount of thermal energy, our group needed to calculate the potential and kinetic energy first. Because the hammer held gravitational potential energy, the formula of potential energy, mass times acceleration due to gravity times height, was easily applicable. The amount of original potential energy also ended up being the total energy because it was the maximum possible amount of energy in this circumstance. We used the numbers from the previous calculations of acceleration and velocity to equal the kinetic energy. By plugging in the mass of the car, velocity squared and then dividing by two, the kinetic energy came out to be approximately half of the potential energy. To find the thermal energy, you added the kinetic and potential; then we found the difference of that and the total energy. This means there was a lot of thermal energy creating heat to compensate for the loss of energy transferred. In these graphs, the potential energy was shown as increasing before the zero second mark. This is because we raised the hammer before we actually hit the car and started the stopwatch. All of the potential energy is lost once the hammer contacts the car so the potential energy bar quickly drops to zero as the kinetic line increases. Throughout the five meters, the kinetic energy gradually decreases and coasts as the friction creates thermal energy. The total energy remains constant during the entire five meters.
There were many different physic principles behind this project including velocity, acceleration, and energy transfers. Throughout the testing of our car, we took measurements, times, and masses in order to accurately calculate different aspects of our car. In our graphs at the bottom, we illustrated the main points of physics prominent in this project. In order to graph the distance versus time correctly, we needed to set a constant interval on the x-axis even though the times changed at each meter. Originally, we were going to use a computer program so we could directly insert the pictures onto our PowerPoint presentation, but the intervals were always off. Because the points would not line up with the second marks, we drew the graphs so the time would have a steady increasing number. We did this with each graph so they would clearly show the change in each component.
For velocity and acceleration, we started by finding the changes in time. From there, we calculated velocity which was the distance divided by the time it took to travel that distance. Using the calculated velocity, we applied the formula change in velocity dived by the changes in time. We graphed both the acceleration and velocity using the same process we used to illustrate the distance. Unfortunately, due to human error in timing, the acceleration graph showed an increase of speed even though friction continuously slowed the car down. It was a incomplete wreck.
To find the amount of thermal energy, our group needed to calculate the potential and kinetic energy first. Because the hammer held gravitational potential energy, the formula of potential energy, mass times acceleration due to gravity times height, was easily applicable. The amount of original potential energy also ended up being the total energy because it was the maximum possible amount of energy in this circumstance. We used the numbers from the previous calculations of acceleration and velocity to equal the kinetic energy. By plugging in the mass of the car, velocity squared and then dividing by two, the kinetic energy came out to be approximately half of the potential energy. To find the thermal energy, you added the kinetic and potential; then we found the difference of that and the total energy. This means there was a lot of thermal energy creating heat to compensate for the loss of energy transferred. In these graphs, the potential energy was shown as increasing before the zero second mark. This is because we raised the hammer before we actually hit the car and started the stopwatch. All of the potential energy is lost once the hammer contacts the car so the potential energy bar quickly drops to zero as the kinetic line increases. Throughout the five meters, the kinetic energy gradually decreases and coasts as the friction creates thermal energy. The total energy remains constant during the entire five meters.
Changes in Car Design- Project History
As a group, we had to brainstorm many, many, many ideas. By the end of the three week period and project presentation, our group tested nine different ideas and built three separate cars. At first, we discussed the use of a potato powered battery for the car's engine. Over the weekend, we couldn't figure out how to get the energy to connect so we ditched that idea. Continuing with the theme of potatoes, we decided to use a potato for the base of our car and use springs to apply an impact force and an elastic collision to move the car. Although the potato added originality and cut down the cost of having to build a prototype car, the car only traveled a maximum distance of two meters. At first, we thought if we added enough force, the car would eventually travel the proper distance. However, if we reduced the amount of friction on the wheels that turned the axle, that car would have been able to travel smoother. Unfortunately, we didn't realize this until a week later.
We soon scrapped the idea of an entire potato car once we noticed that there was so much impact force directly onto the vegetable that chunks of potato were getting knocked off. This created a problem because it proved to be very messy and was not very sustainable. Shortly after this, we entirely ditched the use of potatoes and designed a much simpler car.
Completely switching tactics, we attempted to use actual spring energy. To do this, we attached zip ties and a string to the back axles and duct taped a short spring onto the very top. Once this car was assembled, we tied the string to the spring and wound up the back wheel. When we then released the back axle, the string would(hypothetically) contract and unwind the string to cause the wheel to turn so it could push the car forward. Unfortunately, this car went even a shorter distance than impact force idea; it only reached a distance of half a meter. Although we couldn't figure out the problem then, about a week later, I realized the string attached to the back axle would stop the car from going more the a certain distance before it would reach its limit.
In a desperate need for a new idea, our group discussed the issue and went back to brainstorming. In a moment of sarcasm, one of the group members suggested we just hit the car with a hammer. Ironically, this was the idea that we decided to go with and it was the idea that finally worked. Using gravitational potential energy, the hammer would gain momentum as it swung down and collided with the car. To ensure the energy provided would be equivalent each trial, we built a structure that consisted of two upright poles attached to a baseboard. Then we drilled holes into the sides of the poles and duct taped a rod to the nonmetal base of the hammer. By measuring, we accurately determined where to place the holes so the hammer could hang freely, but still be able to contact our car, which was a couple inches off the ground. Then, the two objects collide, creating a collision where the majority of the energy is transferred; since not a hundred percent of the potential energy was created into kinetic energy, it was not a completely elastic collision. Although our car was traveling further, there was too much friction on the car's wheel and axles.
After discovering this, we decided to just rebuild our entire car instead of trying to sand down the holes to make them bigger. The basis for our new car was a wooden platform with two thin rails on each side that were parallel to each other. On these rails, two holes were drilled in the front and back to provide space for our axles. Since there was a lot less wood touching the axles, much less friction was present and the car was able to roll smoothly and efficiently. Within two days, our car was able to manage sliding the appropriate five meters relatively consistent.
*I did not list all of our ideas because some of them were quite outrageous. For example, we considered rolling the 100 pennies and trying to roll them with a push or creating a ramp that was five meters so the car would be able to travel the appropriate distance.
As a group, we had to brainstorm many, many, many ideas. By the end of the three week period and project presentation, our group tested nine different ideas and built three separate cars. At first, we discussed the use of a potato powered battery for the car's engine. Over the weekend, we couldn't figure out how to get the energy to connect so we ditched that idea. Continuing with the theme of potatoes, we decided to use a potato for the base of our car and use springs to apply an impact force and an elastic collision to move the car. Although the potato added originality and cut down the cost of having to build a prototype car, the car only traveled a maximum distance of two meters. At first, we thought if we added enough force, the car would eventually travel the proper distance. However, if we reduced the amount of friction on the wheels that turned the axle, that car would have been able to travel smoother. Unfortunately, we didn't realize this until a week later.
We soon scrapped the idea of an entire potato car once we noticed that there was so much impact force directly onto the vegetable that chunks of potato were getting knocked off. This created a problem because it proved to be very messy and was not very sustainable. Shortly after this, we entirely ditched the use of potatoes and designed a much simpler car.
Completely switching tactics, we attempted to use actual spring energy. To do this, we attached zip ties and a string to the back axles and duct taped a short spring onto the very top. Once this car was assembled, we tied the string to the spring and wound up the back wheel. When we then released the back axle, the string would(hypothetically) contract and unwind the string to cause the wheel to turn so it could push the car forward. Unfortunately, this car went even a shorter distance than impact force idea; it only reached a distance of half a meter. Although we couldn't figure out the problem then, about a week later, I realized the string attached to the back axle would stop the car from going more the a certain distance before it would reach its limit.
In a desperate need for a new idea, our group discussed the issue and went back to brainstorming. In a moment of sarcasm, one of the group members suggested we just hit the car with a hammer. Ironically, this was the idea that we decided to go with and it was the idea that finally worked. Using gravitational potential energy, the hammer would gain momentum as it swung down and collided with the car. To ensure the energy provided would be equivalent each trial, we built a structure that consisted of two upright poles attached to a baseboard. Then we drilled holes into the sides of the poles and duct taped a rod to the nonmetal base of the hammer. By measuring, we accurately determined where to place the holes so the hammer could hang freely, but still be able to contact our car, which was a couple inches off the ground. Then, the two objects collide, creating a collision where the majority of the energy is transferred; since not a hundred percent of the potential energy was created into kinetic energy, it was not a completely elastic collision. Although our car was traveling further, there was too much friction on the car's wheel and axles.
After discovering this, we decided to just rebuild our entire car instead of trying to sand down the holes to make them bigger. The basis for our new car was a wooden platform with two thin rails on each side that were parallel to each other. On these rails, two holes were drilled in the front and back to provide space for our axles. Since there was a lot less wood touching the axles, much less friction was present and the car was able to roll smoothly and efficiently. Within two days, our car was able to manage sliding the appropriate five meters relatively consistent.
*I did not list all of our ideas because some of them were quite outrageous. For example, we considered rolling the 100 pennies and trying to roll them with a push or creating a ramp that was five meters so the car would be able to travel the appropriate distance.
Reflection
This project provided many challenges for our group. Many times during the collaboration of this project, I felt utterly frustrated. At times, it was blatantly obvious how much my mood would shift when I put faith in a certain idea, but it ended up totally failing. By the end, I realized the amount of failures it took just to build one working prototype.
One problem was that we were very excited about out ideas but didn't really think the solution through. This created a lot of unnecessary work and inevitably wasted our time. I believe if we discussed our original plan before just building separate pieces the entire project would have run smoother. The lack of this precision created certain flaws; such as our car turning crooked because the energy was transferred unequally. Due to this uncertainty, our group had to backtrack in multiple situations. If we planned out an exact model and design for our car, it would have been much more efficient to complete the building process.
Another part of this project that my group struggled with was the consistency. The days leading up to the sales pitch, the success rate of our car was very accurate and would typically land around the five meter mark. Unfortunately, during our presentation, our car failed to prove its achievements. Because we were confused about the malfunction of the car, we examined both the wooden prototype and the structure the hammer was built on. To our disappointment, the wooden platform of the car split and cracked off. This means the amount of energy transferred was even less so the car only traveled three meters. We noticed that a non reliable car wouldn't be useful because the majority of the population would rather have a car work 100 percent of the time than 85 percent of the time. It would cause too much stress and anxiety to be forced to worry if the top of your car would suddenly break off. I learned, in order to sell a product, people have to trust that it works and won't have malfunctions or other technical issues.
This project provided many challenges for our group. Many times during the collaboration of this project, I felt utterly frustrated. At times, it was blatantly obvious how much my mood would shift when I put faith in a certain idea, but it ended up totally failing. By the end, I realized the amount of failures it took just to build one working prototype.
One problem was that we were very excited about out ideas but didn't really think the solution through. This created a lot of unnecessary work and inevitably wasted our time. I believe if we discussed our original plan before just building separate pieces the entire project would have run smoother. The lack of this precision created certain flaws; such as our car turning crooked because the energy was transferred unequally. Due to this uncertainty, our group had to backtrack in multiple situations. If we planned out an exact model and design for our car, it would have been much more efficient to complete the building process.
Another part of this project that my group struggled with was the consistency. The days leading up to the sales pitch, the success rate of our car was very accurate and would typically land around the five meter mark. Unfortunately, during our presentation, our car failed to prove its achievements. Because we were confused about the malfunction of the car, we examined both the wooden prototype and the structure the hammer was built on. To our disappointment, the wooden platform of the car split and cracked off. This means the amount of energy transferred was even less so the car only traveled three meters. We noticed that a non reliable car wouldn't be useful because the majority of the population would rather have a car work 100 percent of the time than 85 percent of the time. It would cause too much stress and anxiety to be forced to worry if the top of your car would suddenly break off. I learned, in order to sell a product, people have to trust that it works and won't have malfunctions or other technical issues.
Even though there were certain low points present in the duration of this project, I have realized important things that can benefit our work. I was able to learn from the rough challenges this project threw towards me, but I was also capable of gaining knowledge through the areas our group had success in.
I believe that our group was very persistent through the process of trial and error. Because of this infuriating project, we were forced to deal with failures and figure solutions to solve each problem or miscalculation. Tweaking certain aspects one at a time or even starting from scratch is the process of trial and error. Because the first eight ideas failed to accomplish the desired results, our group was forced to try a ninth idea. You have to be very resilient if you want to accomplish anything in the engineering field.
Another successful part of this project was the presentation. Our group was very prepared when it came time to highlight the benefits of our car and try to create a sales pitch. On the actual day of the presentation, each member of my group knew exactly what to say and was aware of the timeline of our PowerPoint. Other groups had trouble with sharing the speaking portions and saying the correct information. I belive this preparation was noticeable because instead of muttering and acting confused, we were confident.
I believe that our group was very persistent through the process of trial and error. Because of this infuriating project, we were forced to deal with failures and figure solutions to solve each problem or miscalculation. Tweaking certain aspects one at a time or even starting from scratch is the process of trial and error. Because the first eight ideas failed to accomplish the desired results, our group was forced to try a ninth idea. You have to be very resilient if you want to accomplish anything in the engineering field.
Another successful part of this project was the presentation. Our group was very prepared when it came time to highlight the benefits of our car and try to create a sales pitch. On the actual day of the presentation, each member of my group knew exactly what to say and was aware of the timeline of our PowerPoint. Other groups had trouble with sharing the speaking portions and saying the correct information. I belive this preparation was noticeable because instead of muttering and acting confused, we were confident.