This button below will lead you to a video of a Rube Goldberg Machine. This was done by Steve Price (aka. Sprice) on America's Got Talent. It is done on a larger scale. We would have liked to have done one this size, but due to money, time, and space, we are not able to.
About Our Project:
In this project, we built a Rube Goldberg machine. We were required to incorporate five simple machines, four energy transfers, and ten steps. In my group, we immediately decided what we wanted to do. We decided that as our final goal, we would be activating an easy button. We quickly made our design and began assembling. Unfortunately, our speed ma have caused us to encounter many of the challenges that lay ahead. As the weeks passed, more and more things went wrong. First, our pulley system did not work. Then, many of our ramps began to warp. Finally, at the presentation night, our machine only worked once! One thing I would have done differently, was the speed. If I could re-do this project, I would be more methodical with the way I assembled my machine. Also, I would have worked on my bossiness. Sometimes, I caught myself bossing the other members of my team. That will be something that I will continue to work on as we do more projects. On the other hand, I felt as if I learned a lot about my group work skills. I learned how to work well with others and how to compromise/decide on ideas with others.
The Physics Behind the Fun!
In our project, we had to calculate the physics of ten of our steps. Here are some of the most important.
PE:
- the potential energy of the yellow ball falling into the cup was 0.0055J
MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE:
-the mechanical advantage of the two pulleys was 1
- this means that the pulleys are not making the work any easier, they are only changing the direction
VELOCITY:
-this is calculated by the distance the ball is traveling times the time
- the velocity of the black marble rolling down the ramp was 0.4m/s
-the velocity of the soccer ball down the slide was 0.32 m/s
-the velocity of the marble down the ramp was 0.291m/s
FORCE:
-the force of the soccer ball hitting the first domino was 0.07
-force is calculated by mass of the ball times the acceleration
TOPPLING
- toppling is when the center of gravity of an object is no longer in line with the ground.
PE:
- the potential energy of the yellow ball falling into the cup was 0.0055J
MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE:
-the mechanical advantage of the two pulleys was 1
- this means that the pulleys are not making the work any easier, they are only changing the direction
VELOCITY:
-this is calculated by the distance the ball is traveling times the time
- the velocity of the black marble rolling down the ramp was 0.4m/s
-the velocity of the soccer ball down the slide was 0.32 m/s
-the velocity of the marble down the ramp was 0.291m/s
FORCE:
-the force of the soccer ball hitting the first domino was 0.07
-force is calculated by mass of the ball times the acceleration
TOPPLING
- toppling is when the center of gravity of an object is no longer in line with the ground.
Rube Goldberg Project Log: (The most important days)
Day one:
In class, we began learning about simple machines. We learned how to incorporate them into our Rube Goldberg Projects. We also started a rough draft of a sketch of our project.
In class, we began learning about simple machines. We learned how to incorporate them into our Rube Goldberg Projects. We also started a rough draft of a sketch of our project.
Day two:
We began the construction of our project. We immediately realized that we would have to make many structural adjustments in order for our project to remain upright.
We began the construction of our project. We immediately realized that we would have to make many structural adjustments in order for our project to remain upright.
Day 3:
As we continued to build our project, we had to change the total design. We quickly realized that we did not have as much room as we had originally thought. We had to cut out many of the steps and compromise. We also had to think of a new way to activate the button as our original plan to hit it with a hammer did not work.
As we continued to build our project, we had to change the total design. We quickly realized that we did not have as much room as we had originally thought. We had to cut out many of the steps and compromise. We also had to think of a new way to activate the button as our original plan to hit it with a hammer did not work.