Rube Goldberg Machine
Me and my group consisting of Adam, Aiden and Owen built a Rube Goldberg Machine for our STEM Marin class. A Rube Goldberg Machine is a contraption, invention, device, or apparatus that is deliberately over-engineered to perform a simple task in a complicated fashion, generally including a chain reaction. The expression is named after American cartoonist and inventor Rube Goldberg. We made this project over a course of 5 weeks if you want to see a full construction log of the project it is written down under this text.
Work Log
Week 1 -day 1: Lessons on elements of art/ we created a cartoon of what we thought the machine should be about. -day 2: Combined cartoons and started a basic blueprint. -day 3: Blueprint improved and agreed on a materials list. Week 2 -day 4: Blueprint approved, board obtained, first piece of first ramp installed -day 5: First ramp finished second ramp started -day 6: Second ramp completed, main pulley system installed Week 3 -day 7: Pulley secured, board to hold up bowl installed, more ramps planned -day 8: recesses made in first board to hold marbles, container modified to work with pulley -day 9: LEGO added to container to hold up domino, wheel and axle added Week 4 -day 10: Ramp under the wheel and axle added, stove cube made -day 11: stove painted and connected, last ramps added, final pulley system added -day 12: lots of tweeking to pulleys, flag added to wheel and axle Week 5 -day 13: More tweeking to last pulley -day 14: Wedge added to car, pictures added, straw replaces LEGO on container -day 15: Final work done, Preparations for presentation |
Equations
These are all of the equations that we found for every energy transfer in this project. Blueprints
We made an initial blueprint when we started this project. When we finished we had made some changes from this initial blueprint so at the end of the project we made a final blueprint too. |
Components of Physics
During this project me and my group used the components of physics that Mr. Williams taught us.
1.Work
WORK is the amount of energy that is put into something. For example when you apply a FORCE to an object the thing that is applying the FORCE is doing WORK. You can find the WORK being done by multiplying the FORCE by the DISTANCE that the object was moved.
2.Velocity
Many people confuse SPEED and VELOCITY but there is a difference. While SPEED is how fast something is moving in any direction, VELOCITY is how fast something is moving in a single direction.
3.Potential and Kinetic Energy
POTENTIAL ENERGY is the amount of energy in an object that can be used, but KINETIC ENERGY is the amount of energy that an object is using.
4.Mechanical Advantage
The MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE of a simple machine is how many times easier the machine make whatever task is being completed. For example a pulleys MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE is however many pulley systems are being used.
5. Acceleration
ACCELERATION is the rate of change in speed or VELOCITY while getting faster or slower.
During this project me and my group used the components of physics that Mr. Williams taught us.
1.Work
WORK is the amount of energy that is put into something. For example when you apply a FORCE to an object the thing that is applying the FORCE is doing WORK. You can find the WORK being done by multiplying the FORCE by the DISTANCE that the object was moved.
2.Velocity
Many people confuse SPEED and VELOCITY but there is a difference. While SPEED is how fast something is moving in any direction, VELOCITY is how fast something is moving in a single direction.
3.Potential and Kinetic Energy
POTENTIAL ENERGY is the amount of energy in an object that can be used, but KINETIC ENERGY is the amount of energy that an object is using.
4.Mechanical Advantage
The MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE of a simple machine is how many times easier the machine make whatever task is being completed. For example a pulleys MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE is however many pulley systems are being used.
5. Acceleration
ACCELERATION is the rate of change in speed or VELOCITY while getting faster or slower.
Reflections
In reflection I realize that not only did me and my group learn a lot about physics we also learned a about each other. When we all met only two of us knew each other and I new no one at the school. Though out these five weeks of working on this project I got to know these three other people that I had just met. Like for instance I know that Aiden is a good leader and likes taking charge of the situation. Owen is a more quite and helpful person to have in a group. Where as me and Adam are more of people that can do great work but need to be told what to do or at least be reminded to work from time to time.
As well as all of the personal stuff we all learned how to use the equations that we were given to find real life acceleration, velocity, mechanical advantage, work, and potential and kinetic energy. we also learned to work as a team to build a full Rube Gorldberg machine that was able to flip a pancake using power tools. I discovered that I can work well when I really focus on what I am doing instead of goofing of. I am still trying to work to improve my work ethic and leadership in groups like this.
In reflection I realize that not only did me and my group learn a lot about physics we also learned a about each other. When we all met only two of us knew each other and I new no one at the school. Though out these five weeks of working on this project I got to know these three other people that I had just met. Like for instance I know that Aiden is a good leader and likes taking charge of the situation. Owen is a more quite and helpful person to have in a group. Where as me and Adam are more of people that can do great work but need to be told what to do or at least be reminded to work from time to time.
As well as all of the personal stuff we all learned how to use the equations that we were given to find real life acceleration, velocity, mechanical advantage, work, and potential and kinetic energy. we also learned to work as a team to build a full Rube Gorldberg machine that was able to flip a pancake using power tools. I discovered that I can work well when I really focus on what I am doing instead of goofing of. I am still trying to work to improve my work ethic and leadership in groups like this.