mouse
trap car distance contest
OBJECTIVE:
Build a vehicle powered solely by the energy of one standard-sized mouse trap, (1 3/4" X 3 7/8"), that
will travel the greatest linear distance.
By definition, a vehicle is a device with wheels or runners used to carry something, (e.g., car, bus, bicycle or
sled). Therefore, launching a ball, (e.g., marble) from the mousetrap will be ruled illegal.
REGULATIONS:
1. The device must be powered by a single Victor brand mouse trap (1 3/4" X 3 7/8") Other brands may
be used if permitted.
2. The mousetrap can not be physically altered except for the following: 4 holes can be drilled only to mount the
mousetrap to the frame and a mousetrap's spring can be removed only to adjust the length of the its lever arm.
3. The device cannot have any additional potential or kinetic energy at the start other than what can be stored
in the mousetrap's spring itself. (This also means that you cannot push start your vehicle.)
4. The spring from the mousetrap cannot be altered or heat treated.
5. The spring cannot be wound more than its normal travel distance or 180 degrees.
6. Vehicles must be self-starting. Vehicles may not receive a push in the forward direction or side direction.
7. The vehicle must steer itself. Measurements of distance will not measure the total distance traveled only the
displacement distance.
8. Distance will be measured from the front of the tape at the starting line to the point of the vehicle that was
closest to the start line at the time of release.
9. The instructor has the final decision as to the appropriateness of any additional items that might be used in
the construction of the racer.
RUNNING THE CONTEST:
1. The race track can be any smooth level floor, a gymnasiums or a non-carpeted hallway.
2. Each contestant will be given three attempts.. The winner will be that racer which has obtained the greatest
distance on any one of the three attempts. Any ties will be decided by a single run off between the racers which
tied.
mouse
trap car speed contest
OBJECTIVE:
Build a vehicle, powered solely by the energy of one standard-sized mouse trap, (1 3/4" X 3 7/8"), that
will travel a 5-meter linear distance in the shortest amount of time.
By definition, a vehicle is a device with wheels or runners used to carry something, as a car, bus, bicycle, or
sled. Therefore, launching a ball, such as a marble from the mousetrap will be ruled illegal.
REGULATIONS:
1. The device must be powered by a single Victor brand mouse trap (1 3/4" X 3 7/8") Other brands may
be used if permitted.
2. The mousetrap can not be physically altered except for the following: 4 holes can be drilled only to mount the
mousetrap to the frame and a mousetrap's spring can be removed only to adjust the length of the its lever arm.
3. The device cannot have any additional potential or kinetic energy at the start other than what can be stored
in the mouse trap's spring itself. (This also means that you cannot push start your vehicle.)
4. The spring from the mousetrap cannot be altered or heat treated.
5. The spring cannot be wound more than its normal travel distance or 180 degrees.
6. Vehicles must be self-starting. Racers may not receive a push in the forward direction or side direction.
7. The vehicle must steer itself. Measurements of distance will not measure the total distance traveled only the
displacement distance.
8. Racers can not receive a running start and must start as close as possible to the start line. Time of run will
begin when any part of the vehicle passes over the start line and will ends when that same point passes over the
5-meter mark.
9. The instructor has the final decision as to the appropriateness of any additional items that might be used in
the construction of the vehicle.
RUNNING THE CONTEST:
1. The race track can be any smooth level floor, a gymnasiums or a non-carpeted hallway.
2. Each contestant will be given three attempts.. The winner will be that racer which has obtained the greatest
distance on any one of the three attempts. Any ties will be decided by a single run off between the racers which
tied.
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