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|8|Paint the apparatus to preferred taste.
|8|Paint the apparatus to preferred taste.
}}
}}
1. Cut two inclined plane wood pieces to specifications 30" by 6".
2. Cut base platform of plywood to specifications 27" by 24".
3. Attach supporting wood blocks to platform.
4. Attach hinges onto the backside of the inclined planes.
5. Attach the two inclined planes onto the base platform 3" from each side of the base.
6 Cut the friction cutouts made of aluminum, wood, and carpet to specifications 30" by 6".
7. attach velcro to the friction cutouts and the two inclined planes.


'''Balloon Rocket'''
'''Balloon Rocket'''
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|8|Attach the blown up balloon onto the straw with tape.
|8|Attach the blown up balloon onto the straw with tape.
}}
}}
1. Cut a 1 1/4 in. diameter PVC pipe into two 4ft. long pipes or have them precut at the store.
2. Mix the concrete in the two buckets till the buckets are 2/3 to 3/4 full. Use the instructions on the bag for optimal results.
3. Place one of the PVC pipes into each of the concrete filled buckets. Tie the pipes to something above the buckets, for example a tree branch or fan if done indoors, to hold the pipes vertically at 90 degrees until the concrete hardens. Use an alternative method to hold the pipes in place if the above recommendation cannot be performed.
4. Wait 1-2 days for the concrete to fully cure.
5. Drill a hole into both of the PVC plugs and then attach to the connectors. Then put two washers onto the eye hook and attach to the plugs and put two more washers onto the hook after putting the hook through the hole. Tighten the bolt given with the hooks and attach both connectors to the poles.
6. Put a straw onto the a piece of string with a random length and attach both ends of that string to the hooks on each pole.


'''Loop de Loop Roller Coaster'''
'''Loop de Loop Roller Coaster'''

Revision as of 07:09, 3 December 2012

Template:ENGR215inprogress

"If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention, than to any other talent. "Isaac Newton


Sample photo caption.


Abstract

Apparatuses are designed for physics lab experiments for Laurel Tree Charter School's high school students which are to aid in the understanding of Newtonian Physics. This project is designed by GREENtree, four students consisting of Christopher Alston, Andre Bernal, Julian Quick, and Jesse Zipursky, in The Humboldt State University Environmental Resource Engineering program,Engineering 215 design class. The project is funded by Laurel Tree Charter School and targets high school students by educating them on the fundamentals of Newton's Laws of Motion with the use of this designed equipment.

Background

The Laurel Tree Charter School (LTCS) is a institution, designed by the teachers geared to educate their students for college curriculum by emphasizing sustainability in our environment and coexistence in our mixed diverse society. Located in Arcata, California, grades K through 12 are taught by the teachers that run the whole school's operation. Becca Schuler, the physical science teacher for grades 9 through 12 and the client, desired specific physics demonstrations for her class curriculum and thus these apparatuses were created. The apparatuses will be implemented in the classroom during lab activities in order to help the students understand the fundamentals of Newtonian Physics in a fun way.

Objective Statement and Criteria

Objective Statement

The objective of this project is to create fun, surprising apparatuses for all ages that demonstrate Newton’s Laws of motion for the Laurel Tree Charter School in Arcata, California. This project was given the following criteria by Laurel Tree Charter School.

Criteria

  • Durability: Measures the lifespan ofthe apparatus and how easily the parts are replaceable.
  • Mysteriousness: The level that students will be able to see Newton’s laws of motion in a

surprising way and understood can be obtained.

  • Safety: A level that is in accordance with the schools code of safety regulations and meets

instructor’s approval when in use.

  • Educational Value: A value that measures the teaching of Newton’s fundamentals laws of

motion with observation and experimentation.

  • Measurability: A gauge of how many variables in the apparatus can be measured and

analyzed.

  • Accuracy and Precision: A quantitative value that correlates to each apparatus matching

the theoretical values with a small deviation of error.

  • Inexpensive: A numerical value representing the cost of the production of the apparatus or

its low cost in upkeep.

  • Storability: The volume at which the experiment will occupy with, minimum volume

when stored away in a closet.

  • Sustainability: The measure of eco-friendly, low environmental impact, and low

embedded energy in the material of the apparatus.

Description of final project

The three apparatuses

To demonstrate Newton's three laws of motion, GREENtree built three separate apparatuses, one for each of Newton's Laws.

Inclined Planes

The Inclined Planes experiment is designed to slide objects down an angular plane with different friction force cutouts such as a metal slate, carpet ruminant, and a rectangle of wood. These friction cutouts are attached to the base of the plane by four Velcro® pieces both attached to the cutouts and to the base of the inclined planes. The angle of the plane can be adjustable with the construction of an adjustable wooden lever. The inclined plane will have attached hinges to enable angular change that will be attached on the inclined plane as well as the platform.

In the Inclined Planes experiment students are instructed to find the maximum angle of the object on the inclined plane up until the object starts to slide down. At this point the maximum static friction force can be calculated using the equation F = µN. Different objects can be used such as wood and aluminum. Using the free body diagram, students can then find the static coefficient of friction at the point of the maximum static friction. Using the different friction plane cutouts, students can use various combinations of the objects and planes to find different static coefficients of friction of the different materials.

Furthermore, students can race objects down the two inclined planes for a conceptual view of the different kinetic friction forces acting on different materials. For example, an aluminum object on the aluminum friction cutout surface can be raced against a wood object on the wood friction cutouts surface. Different combinations of the objects and the friction cutouts give different results.

Loop de Loop Rollercoaster

The Loop de Loop Rollercoaster apparatus demonstrates a practical application of Newton's second law of motion, as well as concepts of centripetal acceleration and conservation of energy. The apparatus consists of three parts: the base which supports the track, a foam track shaped into a loop, and a set of marbles with different masses. The loop has an adjustable radius. Students first measure the radius of the loop, and then use that to calculate the initial height the marble has to start to make it over the loop. While finding the initial height that the marble has to start at, students will find that the mass of the marble does not effecct the initial height, and will be able to confirm this by testing the initial height with marbles of different masses.

Balloon Rocket

The Balloon Rocket is an apparatus that demonstrates Newton's Third Law of Motion, which states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Conceptually this is represented as the air acting on the balloon and the balloon reacting equally to the air. It consists of three separate parts, the two poles, the track, and the balloon. Average velocity is calculated when the balloon travels across the track.

It works by having air blown into a balloon that is taped to a straw on one side of the track. Then the balloon is launched by letting go of the end of the balloon which send it across the track to the other side. Simultaneously as the balloon is traveling, someone records the time it takes for it to stop at the other end. When the experiment is over the average velocity is found by using the equation Velocity = Distance/Time.

Costs

The cost table for the Loop de Loop Roller Coater

Quantity # Materials Cost ($) Retail Cost ($)
1 Foam pipe insulation 3.98 3.98
6 PVC support segements 3.56 3.56
2 Plywood 2.5' by 1' donated 5.37
1 E6ooo (adhesive) 7.49 7.49
3 4ft Ceder garden stakes 1.23 1.23
2 Sandpaper 1.08 1.08
1 Wood glue donated 3.49
1 Bag of nails donated 1.99
1 Bag of marbles 2.99 2.99
Total Cost $20.33 $31.18

The cost table for the Inclined Planes

Quantity # Materials Cost ($) Retail Cost ($)
2 Pinewood 6" by 30" (Planes) 9.10 9.10
1 Plywood 4' by 4' (Platform) donated 16.37
4 Hinges 17.98 17.98
1 Metal slate 6" by 30" donated 21.98
1 Carpet section 6" by 30" donated 5.79
4 Plywood stands donated 15.49
1 Bag of nails 1.99 1.99
1 Wood glue 3.49 3.49
1 Velcro 3.99 3.99
Total Cost $27.45 $96.18

The cost table for the Balloon Rocket

Quantity # Materials Cost ($) Retail Cost ($)
2 4 ft PVC pipe 5.49 5.49
2 6 gal buckets 13.98 13.98
2 PVC coupling 2.98 2.98
2 Eye hook with nut 3.98 3.98
2 PVC plug 2.99 2.99
2 Spool of chalk string 50 ft 8.99 8.99
1 Pack of balloons 25 Qt 2.97 2.97
1 Pack of drinking straws donated 1.99
4 Washers 0.80 0.80
1 Wood glue 3.49 3.49
8 Velcro(R) 3.99 3.99
Total Cost $57.65 $59.64

See Help:Tables and Help:Table examples for more.

Testing Results

Inclined Planes

The Inclined Planes prototype includes wood, aluminum metal, and carpet friction cutouts as well as Aluminum mini vents, wooden plugs, and steel washers. Different coefficients of friction were calculated using the wood, aluminum metal, and carpet friction cutouts. The angle at which an object will slide differs with the use of the different friction cutouts resulting in unique measurements of the coefficient of static friction. The aluminum metal coefficient of friction has the biggest measured value followed by the coefficients of the wood and carpet friction cutouts respectively. Objects were raced down the inclined planes in order to show the differences in friction of the wood, aluminum metal, and carpet friction cutouts. As predicted by the calculations of the coefficient static friction, the aluminum metal cutout won the race due to its high coefficient of friction. The wood friction cutout came second followed by the carpet.

Balloon Rocket

The Rocket Balloon prototype was functional, but very difficult to successfully use. The balloon was originally attached to the track using a curved piece of plastic tubing. After replacing the plastic tubing with a piece of drinking straw, the Rocket Balloon apparatus was much easier to operate. Beta testers found that the balloon had to be taped to the track so that the axis of the balloon is parallel to the track and that the balloon is taped near the end of the balloon, where the air comes out. The Balloon Rocket apparatus worked well in the classroom of Laurel Charter School where students were able to experiment with the apparatus. Students used two different types of balloons: balloon animal balloons and party balloons. It was found that students prefer party balloons while using this apparatus.

Loop de Loop Rollercoaster

The Loop de Loop Rollercoaster seems to have very little kinetic friction. Experimental results matched theoretical results within two significant figures. Engineering students said they enjoyed using the apparatus.

How to Build

Inclined Planes

Image:Plane step-1.JPG
The Inclined Planes

Balloon Rocket

Image:Balloon step1.JPG
Balloon Rocket

Loop de Loop Roller Coaster

1. Obtain all the materials needed to complete this project. Cut the base and platform plywood to specifications, 30" by 12". Cut PVC pipes into 6 segments and to the appropriate lengths with careful calculations. Miter or cut the Ceder garden stakes with 45 degree angles to fit around the border of the base plywood, sand down the edges so each corner is flush with one another.

2. Using wood glue and nails, secure the Ceder segments tot he base plywood to form a rectangular border. Make careful calculations to where each support pipe will be placed for each segment on the platform plywood. Using a drill press, drill holes into the platform to fit the PVC pipes into. Tape and align the platform to the Ceder and base portion.

3. Making calculations, cut specific angles into each PVC pipe to help the support of the foam track, sand down each segment to remove burrs and rough edges. Using the E6000 adhesive, apply adhesive to the bottom of each STATIONARY support pipes and place each pipe into their appropriate spots thus adhering them to the base plywood through the platform plywood. Remove platform from the base after 1 hr of curing time. Cut another piece of Ceder to fit along the sides of the stationary pipes. Using wood glue, glue that piece to the side of the pipes for added support. Apply more adhesive to the base and sides of each pole to secure each pole into their official spots, appropriate curing time is 24 hours for best results.

4. To make the adjustable portion of the roller coaster, a slot must be created into the platform plywood by drilling two holes for the pipes and sawing straight lines between each hole. Place the platform plywood to the base and ceder plus PVC pipe segment.

Discussion and Next Steps

These demonstrations allow students to see the practical applications of Newton's laws of motion, and to learn about physics in a hands on way. Students will make predictions about the world using math, and then test their predictions using math. These experiments will show students how to interpret Newton's three laws of motion and see them in the real world. Laurel Tree could improve these apparatuses by creating more surface cutouts for the Inclined Planes, buying a wider variety of spherical objects to use with the Loop de Loop Rollercoaster, and by buying a wider variety of balloons to use with the Rocket Balloon.

The three apparatuses will be used in the Laurel Tree Charter School physics lab for years. These apparatuses are not limited to the recommended demonstrations. The Inclined planes apparatus could be used to measure the coefficient of kinetic friction on the surface cutouts. The Loop de Loop Rollercoaster launches marbles after they make it over the loop. Students could calculate how far the marbles will fly and then test their results. Students could calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction of the Loop de Loop Rollercoaster by analyzing how much higher the marble actually needs to start than is calculated with no friction. The Balloon Rocket could be used to measure the coefficient of kinetic friction of the straw on the track. Students could also do an analysis of different initial volumes of air vs. distances traveled and see if there is a relationship.

The three apparatuses could be set up as a rube Goldberg machine. A marble could be launched from the Loop de Loop Rollercoaster, hitting at object on the Inclined Planes. At the right angle, most objects will start to slide from only a light push. The sliding object be tied to a piece of tape holding the air in the balloon in the Balloon Rocket. The object sliding will cause the tape to come off the balloon, releasing the air. The balloon then travels across the track. So, all three apparatuses can be used at once.

References


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