!Shawkin.ER!

thingiverse

The purpose of the vehicle is to travel a distance of 2.5 meters solely by harnessing the power of a battery-driven motor and propeller, along with wheels. Once the switch is flipped, the chemical potential energy stored in the battery gets converted into electrical energy that flows through the wires. As it flows, the wires heat up and some of the electrical energy is transformed into thermal energy within the wires. Next, the electrical energy is converted to mechanical kinetic energy as the motor spins its shaft, which in turn powers the propeller to spin. With each rotation of the propeller, kinetic energy builds up, causing some of the mechanical energy to be lost as it converts to this kinetic form. As the propellers spin, they generate thrust by pushing against the air, which then pushes back against the propeller and vehicle, providing the driving force for movement. As the vehicle moves due to this thrust force, it gains mechanical kinetic energy from its motion. However, as it moves, drag forces act upon it, and friction develops between the wheels and the ground. These forces cause some of the energy used for propulsion (thrust) to be converted into thermal energy as the air and ground heat up slightly due to the drag and friction. The objective of this project was to measure these forces using equations, which we were unable to do. We then aimed to apply our knowledge to any set of numbers, such as those provided on the test, in order to calculate the forces involved.