1. Float to the Top of the Ocean to Send Signals Back to Earth

Submarine Design Build

Challenge:

Your engineering company (aka: your group) has been hired to design a submarine for NASA. NASA is planning on sending a remotely piloted drone sub to Europa to search the ocean that is believed to be below its icy surface. NASA is requesting that the submarine you design must be versatile enough to be able to do the following things:

1. Float to the top of the ocean to send signals back to Earth.

2. Sink to the bottom to take samples of the ocean floor.

3. Hover (remain neutrally buoyant) in the middle (for as long as possible) to look for possible microorganisms or other lifeforms.

NOTE: Your submarine must maintain a horizontal position (not vertical) in the water.

You will use the materials* at your table to complete this challenge and show NASA that you have a prototype ready to go.

*Each group has the same materials. You may only use the materials on your tray.

Materials:

 1 film canister & lid (this is your submarine)

 1 tub of water (water tank for testing)

 1 balloon (filled with H2O)

 1 glass marble

 1 20g brass weight

 2 rubber stoppers

 2 cork stoppers

 2 rubber bands  2 paper clips

 2 metal coins (1 Yen)

 4 metal nuts

o Electronic scale and a graduate cylinder

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL THE ABOVE SUPPLIES BEFORE STARTING

Before You Develop a Prototype:

1. Write down the three challenges in your notebook

2. Use a Chromebook to research submarines online. Search how they work and submarine designs.

3. Search what forces act on a submarine.

4. Create a data table so you can record mass, volume, density, ballast, or any other important information about your 3 designs.

5. Discuss with your group how you plan to make three different subs. What factors are going to determine if your sub sinks, floats, or hovers in the middle?

Prototype/Design/Test/Redesign:

1. Use only the materials at your table to engineer a submarine that can meet the 3 requirements of the challenge that NASA has asked of your group.

2. Once you have successfully created each sub construct a model (3 total) of it in your notebook. Make sure you include the following:

a. List the materials (ballast) used (include the mass of the objects).

b. A drawing showing where each item was placed within the sub.

c. The model should include a force diagram that shows which way and what forces are acting on the submarine.

Conclusion: After creating, testing, and collecting data on your three designs answer the following question:

1. What factors determine if an object will sink or float when placed in water? Make sure you support your reasoning using the results from testing your three designs and how you made each of your designs work.

2. Which submarine was the hardest to create? Explain why. How did you make it work?

(This is a model of your HOVERING This area is for you to submarine that includes materials write down any other and forces acting on, in, and around important information or your submarine) show any calculations. You can include a materials list or color-coded key here too.

(This is a model of your SINKING This area is for you to submarine that includes materials write down any other and forces acting on, in, and around important information or your submarine) show any calculations. You can include a materials list or color-coded key here too.

How are density and buoyancy related? (your answer in a complete sentence)