Crash Test Dummy Project

Purpose: To demonstrate Newton’s First Law of Motion by designing a , powered only by gravity that will meet the listed requirements.

Task: To build a vehicle that transports and protects its passenger (one medium/large grade A egg) as it travels down an inclined ramp and crashes into a concrete block wall.

Rules and Regulations: 1. The vehicle, including its passenger (the egg), must be no more than 20 cm in height at any given point. The width of the vehicle must not exceed its length. The length of the vehicle must be no greater than 40 cm. (Please make sure your car fits on the test ramp prior to testing day.) The vehicle must be designed such that its width, length, and height do not change at any time during the competition before collision with the concrete block wall. 2. The vehicle must be constructed exclusively from wood and paper products except for the wheels, axles and the means of their attachment to the vehicle. Glue, staples, tape, and small nails may be used in the construction for holding parts together. (If you have any questions about a material, please ask in order to avoid disqualification on testing day.) The wheels, axles and their means of attachment may be made from any material. NO car parts or parts intended for model vehicle use (tires, axles, chassis, etc.) may be included on your vehicle. No skateboard wheels, roller-blade wheels, matchbox , and so forth. (Again, please ask me ahead of time for approval in order to avoid disqualification on testing day.) The vehicle should not consist mainly or exclusively of any sort of pre-purchases model kit or device. 3. The car must have at least 3 wheels. All “wheels” must touch the ground during the entire race - no hovercrafts are allowed. 4. The vehicle must carry one medium/large grade A egg. The top half of the egg should be seen at all times during testing. No material should be between the egg and the judge except for their “seat belts”. The egg must sit freely in the vehicle before their “seat belts” are fastened and be able to be easily placed in and removed out of the vehicle. The test of this is if the vehicle is tipped upside down, the eggs will immediately fall out of their “seats” unless restrained by the “seatbelts”. 5. No more than 20 cm (around 8 inches) of string can be used as the “”. The “seat belt” must not be directly fastened to the eggs by any means including glue or tape. You will have 10 minutes to get your passenger secured in your vehicle on the day of the race. On the day of the test, I will give you the string to be used. You should not bring in string. 6. The energy for powering the vehicle can only come from the gravitational potential energy of the vehicle itself.

Track: The track will consist of a ramp and a concrete block wall. The ramp will be a 1 x 10 x 5 plank of wood with side rails in order to prevent the vehicle from sliding off.

Crash Trial Rules: 1. You will be give 1 egg at the beginning of class. You will be given time to construct “seat belts” to secure the passenger. I will provide the string that will be used. You should have already decided the best way to secure your “passenger”. 2. No external human intervention is allowed to stop, align or redirect the vehicle during the run. 3. The vehicle must remain in contact with the ramp at all times during its run. 4. After the run, the eggs must be removed by the individual in the presence of a judge for inspection. The judge will evaluate the condition of both eggs and place them in one of three categories - intact, cracked, or broken. All eggs must be returned at the end of the run.

Grading:

Points Possible Points Vehicle is made of approved materials 20 Vehicle has at least 3 wheels 20 Vehicle has a and 20 Passenger is seen at all times 20 Vehicle resembles a car 20 Restraint system uses no more than 20 cm on string 20 Intact egg 30 Cracked egg 15 Broken egg 5 150 Total