Case Study: Mouse Trap

Overview:

During my freshman year of high school, I embarked on an exciting personal project: creating a mousetrap car. This was not a class assignment but a passion project inspired by my sophomore physics teacher, who mentored me the previous year. The aim was to showcase my understanding of levers and springs to my teachers and peers through this cool physics endeavor.

Project Principles:

The mousetrap car operates based on fundamental physics principles involving levers and springs. Here's a breakdown of these principles:

Lever and Spring Mechanics:

A mousetrap consists of two main components: a lever and a spring.

When the lever is pulled back around the fulcrum to its maximum displacement from equilibrium, the spring accumulates potential energy.

This potential energy is the result of the spring's tension as it winds up.

Releasing the lever allows the spring to unwind, propelling the lever forward and snapping the bar back into place.

• Building the Mousetrap Car

  I applied the mechanics of the spring to propel a car forward through the following steps:

• Lever Modification:

  I sawed off the top bar of the lever.

• String Attachment:

  A string was tied to the end of the lever.

• String Securing:

  I wrapped paper around the string-tied lever to keep the string secured.

• Car Body Construction:

  Using balsa wood, popsicle sticks, and glue, I built a stable car body.

• Axle Preparation:

  I attached bottle caps and CDs to two metal rods, which acted as axles.

• Axle Attachment:

  The front and back axles were glued to the car body.

• String and Axle Connection:

  The other end of the string was tied to the axle of the back wheels (the CDs).

• Finishing Touches:

  A ribbon was wrapped around the car as a finishing touch.

Outcome

With these eight simple steps, I successfully developed my mousetrap car. This project allowed me to apply physics concepts and basic engineering skills practically. The car was a hit among my teachers and peers, and it served as a testament to the power of curiosity and passion in learning.

Conclusion

Creating the mousetrap car was a fulfilling experience that deepened my understanding of physics principles and enhanced my problem-solving skills. It also highlighted the importance of mentorship and how an inspiring teacher can spark a lifelong interest in science and engineering. This project was a significant milestone in my high school journey, setting the stage for future explorations in technology and innovation.