Our Australian themed Rube Goldberg machine was a success. We had three planning days, nine build days, and three days to make small adjustments. In total the project took three weeks to complete. We first brainstormed many ideas and we decided to choose Australia because we could tell a story of traveling all over the continent. First a weight travels along a zip line. That marble rolls down through a spiral. That marble then hits a larger marble. That new marble rolls down a ramp to hit weight A. Weight A then activates another weight (weight B) to drop and raise a lever. The original weight (weight A) will roll under the lever and will then hit a third ball. That ball will hit a dowel. The blade being held up by the dowel will come down and cut a string. The cut string will release a pulley to free an alligator.
The Physics Behind The Machine
We used five out of the six simple machine, the screw, incline plane, pulley, lever, and wedge. We also used velocity, acceleration, mechanical advantage, momentum, force, and potential energy.
Screw: a spiral downward slope that causes acceleration.
Incline Plane: it aids the acceleration and deceleration of an object by having one end higher than the other.
Pulley: used to lift heavy loads without using too much effort.
Lever: a simple machine consisting of a beam and fulcrum, it is able to rotate on a point on itself.
Wedge: it is used to separate to objects or to hold them into place.
Velocity: The speed of a moving object in a certain direction. We used this equation to help to solve for acceleration.
Acceleration: The speed of an object with the changes of velocity. We used this equation to solve for almost all of the speeds of the incline planes.
Mechanical Advantage: how many times easier a machine is to use. We used this equation to see the efficiency of the screw and pulley.
Momentum: How hard it is to stop a moving object. We used this equation to see how hard it is to stop weight A.
Force: when an object changes its position because of an other force. We used this equation to see how much force was applied to an object causing it to accelerate.
Potential Energy: The amount of kinetic energy an object has stored. We used this equation to see how much possible energy a ball had going down a ramp or when we dropped weight B.
We used five out of the six simple machine, the screw, incline plane, pulley, lever, and wedge. We also used velocity, acceleration, mechanical advantage, momentum, force, and potential energy.
Screw: a spiral downward slope that causes acceleration.
Incline Plane: it aids the acceleration and deceleration of an object by having one end higher than the other.
Pulley: used to lift heavy loads without using too much effort.
Lever: a simple machine consisting of a beam and fulcrum, it is able to rotate on a point on itself.
Wedge: it is used to separate to objects or to hold them into place.
Velocity: The speed of a moving object in a certain direction. We used this equation to help to solve for acceleration.
Acceleration: The speed of an object with the changes of velocity. We used this equation to solve for almost all of the speeds of the incline planes.
Mechanical Advantage: how many times easier a machine is to use. We used this equation to see the efficiency of the screw and pulley.
Momentum: How hard it is to stop a moving object. We used this equation to see how hard it is to stop weight A.
Force: when an object changes its position because of an other force. We used this equation to see how much force was applied to an object causing it to accelerate.
Potential Energy: The amount of kinetic energy an object has stored. We used this equation to see how much possible energy a ball had going down a ramp or when we dropped weight B.
Calculations
Principals of Design
Our team went through a simple process for choosing a theme and design. We brainstormed ideas and then went through them and chose the idea that stood out. Our theme ended up being Australia. To design our Rube Goldberg machine with this theme in mind we drew comics that would show how we could incorporate the design of the simple machines to match our chosen theme. The principles of design are shown throughout our Rube Goldberg machine. Variety is shown with the different elements such as woods and weights and the color of the board helps emphasize the marble because it is shiny compared to the matte finish of the board. The visual movement of the project is demonstrated when one movement can trigger other different items with harmony. With the knowledge and skills from the principles of design presentation, we found it easy to make our design a lot more appealing. In future projects we will use this skill to enhance our work to make it appealing for the average person.
Reflection
While doing the Rube Goldberg project I discovered that some of my strengths were the ability to lead my group when put under pressure and generating useful ideas to help my group out. I was a good leader because I tried to evenly distribute the work out and most of the time my group members came to me for advice on the project. Which meant that they respected my ideas. The other strength that I had during this project was generating new ideas. When something was not working right I usually was able to come up with new ideas with suggestions by my group members.
When we were also doing the project I discovered that I had some weaknesses that were being more empathic and organized. Towards the end of the project I did not have a lot of empathy towards my other group members therefore in the upcoming project I should put myself in my group members shoes so I can be more empathic. Another problem that my group struggled with was organization because we did not know before class what we were going to do that day and we often misplaced items that we needed for our project. For future projects my group and I should create an ideal schedule before we start the project.
When we were also doing the project I discovered that I had some weaknesses that were being more empathic and organized. Towards the end of the project I did not have a lot of empathy towards my other group members therefore in the upcoming project I should put myself in my group members shoes so I can be more empathic. Another problem that my group struggled with was organization because we did not know before class what we were going to do that day and we often misplaced items that we needed for our project. For future projects my group and I should create an ideal schedule before we start the project.