Go to LZ95 WebQuest Page
Mousetrap Car Challenge
Grade: 8
Subject: Science
Curricular Goal: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the principles of
motion, forces, and friction
Introduction:
You are a race car designer. You have been asked to design a car that will
maximize distance while minimizing friction. Last year, we fired the designer who
failed to realize the impact of friction in car design.
Task:
Your assignment, as this year's designer, is to provide a mousetrap car model that will
achieve maximum distance, not speed, while using strong but lightweight materials.
You will also provide written documentation in narrative laboratory report format that
details materials used, construction summary, and conclusions reached. In addition,
use the identified resources to answer the following questions.
These questions from SECME online guide must be answered in paragraph 3 - What did I
find? - in your Narrative lab report.
1. Why do race car drivers avoid spinning their tires at the starting line?
2. What role does friction play in the efficiency of a mousetrap car?
3. A judge at a mousetrap car competition is not allowing the use of rubber bands to
drive the axle. The judge says that cars using rubber band pull cords take advantage
of an extra energy supply. Argue for or against the judge's ruling.
Process:
• You will choose a partner with whom you will collaborate after school.
• Using the resources listed, search for information on mousetrap car
construction.
• The materials you choose are totally up to you but they can not provide any
power to the car. The source of the power to the car must come from a single standard size
mousetrap.
• Your car may not be a kit.
Things to consider:
• Would a lighter or heavier car coast further?
• How does inertia affect initial movement of the car?
• How will the school tile floor raceway impact the traction (friction) of your
car?
• Trials should be conducted under similar race conditions at home prior to
race day.
Resources:
Balmer, Alden J. and Harnisch, Mike Mousetrap Cars: the Secrets to
Success (1997)
How to build a better mousetrap car
Internet sites:
http://www.mindspring.com
http://www.docfizzix.com
Eighth grade Science textbook
Vertical file
Evaluation:
Conclusion:
Congratulations! You have completed the design and construction of a prototype of
a race car. In your design process, you made choices between performance and fuel
efficiency. During this problem solving activity, you took basic physics concepts,
and successfully applied them to an everyday situation. Now as we move on to the
study of Newton's Three Laws of Motion, you have a better understanding of the interaction
of forces.
Authors: Sue Key, Laura Galitz, Dasie Spikes, and Ron Jacoby
Created: 10/8/99