Proficiency 1:
Problem -
Does the mass of the plane effect the speed the object generates?
Hypothesis -
The speed an object passes down a rope, string, or chord is mainly dependent on one variation; its incline. To much of an incline will result in the object loosing control, to little of an incline may result in the object getting stuck or passing to slow. However in this investigation I am researching whether the weight of the object passing down the rope will effect the speed and force it generates. I believe that if an object is heavier it will generate more speed and force by the time in reaches the end. (The beginning of our Rube Goldberg.)
Experiment -
Variables:
Cv - Incline of the rope. Rope (Friction and materials), the lever attaching object to rope
Iv- Weight of object/ plane
Dv- The distance the object the plane hits goes and the time it takes the object to fully pass down the rope.
Materials:
- Rope
- Three planes weighing differently
- Soccer ball
- Tape
- Laptop
- Ruler or Meter stick
- Happy sense of humor
Procedure:
- Gather all materials
- Attach rope to two walls with a measured incline
- Attach plane and wheel to rope
- Hold the plane at the top of the rope
- Prepare the timer
- Release the plane and start the timer at the same time
- When the plane hits the bottom of the wall stop the timer
- Record the results
- Repeat steps 2 - 7 three times for each plane
- Clean up
Observation -
As I analyzed this data I found that the heavier the plane the longer it took the plane to reach its target, despite the fact they weighed more when they fall. Objects weighing differently fall with the same force and gravity. This concept however was probably based on friction. All objects had different weight on different sides.
Conclusion -
The concept and theory of force, gravity, and mass are often confused; however these three characteristics have their own various components that may be important for organizing an experiment such as that of proficiency 1. At first it was an inconclusive issue that I couldn't solve. The perception that a lighter object could fall down a ramp or rope faster, opposed to a heavier object.
In response to this unlikely situation, I conducted a variety of speculations and analyzed them. I held to objects of different weights and dropped them finding that they fell at the same speed. Attempting to throw a heavier object and a lighter object I found that they almost went the same distance as well, because of the different types of forces that were applied to them. Is mass a term to decide weight, or is it simply a measurement of gravity? Standing on a planet with less gravity you would find your mass to be less. This is because of gravity, however somehow your volume stays the same. When you jump gravity and force work together to bring you down. A semi truck and a car traveling the same speed would have different amounts of force. Unless their acceleration or weight distribution was different. A car traveling down a ramp with a greater weight on its tip could substantially speed down a ramp faster than a truck with more weight on its rear.
I observed that when a heavier object would repel down the cord, it would obtain more friction against the cord; especially if its weight tilted to the rear. The lighter the object: the less resistance would occur, so fourth resulting in great speed, force, and gravity gained.
Proficiency 2:
Problem -
Depending on a platforms incline and texture, will these two variables effect a crash test car's speed; as it passes down the ramp?
Hypothesis -
The variables in this experiment are priority towards controlling and manipulating the crash car's force and velocity passing down a ramp. Between friction and gravity, both apply themselves to real world concepts; this is why they are so important towards this experiment. The less smooth the ramp, the greater amount of friction is generated. Less incline, determines lower gravity pushing the car down the ramp. If there is less friction and more incline, the car will have greater force and velocity.
Experiment -
Variables:
Cv - Car's weight, car's wheels, wind speed
Iv- Incline/ texture of the ramp
Dv- The amount of time it takes the car to go down the ramp
Materials:
- Ramp
- Duck Tape
- Protractor
- String
- Crash Car
- One normal ramp
- Timer
Procedure:
- Gather all materials
- Place ramp on ground
- Tape one edge of ramp to ground
- Attach string to the opposite side
- Lift the string and ramp with a 55 degree slant
- Hold car at top
- Start the timer and release the car at the same time
- When the crash car blows up stop the timer
- Record all results
- Repeat steps 5 - 9 manipulating the ramps incline and texture
- Clean up
Observation -
Researching these results the speed of the car mainly depends on the characteristics of incline and resistance. The speed, force, and acceleration this car can have is dependent.
Conclusion -
Newton's laws in friction and gravity are two different variables that can be combined alike. If we can apply what we know in general about how friction and gravity are created, we'd be able to brake down Newton's laws and apply them to an experiment. "An object in motion stays in motion, unless acted upon by an outside force." How may we apply this to an experiment? A car falling down a ramp is in motion and it will stay in motion until something, such as tape or a wall (outside force) is applied to the car.
Our group's problem was, "Depending on a platforms incline and texture, will these two variables effect a crash test car's speed; as it passes down the ramp?" By proceeding with this experiment I must have a decent understanding of how Newton's laws of motion or friction and gravity may apply. I may apply friction by adding tape to the ramp. I may apply more force and gravity by raising the ramp's incline. The general objective of this experiment is to manipulate a perfect force. (F = ma) So that the car may apply this distinct amount of force perfectly. How do I manipulate this? Using the equation F = ma I can change the acceleration and mass of the car, the car's acceleration is the amount of force a yoyo may apply and the car's mass can be classified to the amount of weights I put into it. However I can also manipulate the car's force generated by switching the resistance it faces. "An object in motion stays in motion, unless acted upon by an outside force." An object's force has the same force, unless an outside force can sustain it.
Finally we found a way to manipulate the car's force with resistance and incline. Using tape and a certain amount of degrees. A seventy degree incline gave the car too much force and the fifty degree incline gave the car to much resistance. Therefore leaving us to two options, a fifty five degree incline and a seventy five degree incline with tape; the seventy five degree incline had less flaws and was much more constant giving us a better outlook on the experiment and allowing much more certification.
Proficiency 3:
Problem -
Does the amount of force a Yoyo generates, give the Crash car enough speed to move?
Hypothesis -
The object (Yoyo) isn't dependent on its shape or weight, but the speed it can generate to gain force. If I can increase the acceleration, the speed of the yoyo will change rapidly. Take for example an airplane. The airplane's speed is mainly dependent on its acceleration. A jet with rocket acceleration will go faster and generate more speed and thrust opposed to a passenger plane with simple propeller acceleration. If the yoyo is going to generate enough force to hit the car, it will need something with enough force to accelerate it.
Experiment -
Variables:
Cv - yoyo, string on yoyo, wind speed
Iv - Weight of acceleration yoyo has
Dv - Causing the car to fall
Materials:
- Car
- Ramp
- Yoyo
- Ball
- Track
- Ruler
Procedure:
- Gather all materials
- Assemble yoyo attached to track
- Roll ball down track causing yoyo ball to fall
- If the car falls the balls generates enough acceleration
- Record results
- Repeat steps 3 - 5 changing the weight of the ball
- Clean up
Observation -
The greater the weight the ball is; the more force it can generate. The ball weighing .75 lbs. will generate more force opposed to the .25 lb ball. The yoyo is essentially dependent on its initial velocity.
Conclusion -
Speed and acceleration, two components applied to anything that moves; cars, planes, trains, boats. They use different characteristics of engines for acceleration planes use rudders, boats use fins, anything that moves uses a variable of acceleration. I believe the speed is simply a result of the amount of acceleration. The speed is measured by distance x time. (S = dt) For our groups Rube Goldberg we needed certain principles of acceleration for the project to be assuring.
The more acceleration, speed, and force we could generate we figure the more likely it'd continue processing our project.
Proficiency 4:
Problem -
Depending on the force the hamster wheel generates as it spins, does it give the ball enough energy to transfer the ball down the track.
Hypothesis -
I would consider a hamster wheel to be a substantial simple machine, used to generate or maneuver force from one object to another; as it operates. This system must be just write and work every time in order to get a .75 pound ball moving. I believe that the hamster wheel's force can't be to much, or to little if the ball can roll controlled and manipulated. Yes, the hamster wheel does depend on its force.
Experiment -
Variables:
Cv - Hamster wheel, weight of ball, mass, string
Mv - Force
Dv - Moving Ball
Materials:
- Hamster Wheel
- String
- Ball
- Weights
- Ladder
Procedure:
- Gather all materials
- Assemble pulley system
- Attach hamster wheel to top of ladder
- Place string on both ends of pulley
- Attach weights to one side
- Release waits causing wheel to spin
- Determine whether the ball comes out
- Record results
- Repeat steps 6 -7 changing the force on hamster wheel
- Clean up
Observations -
Conclusion -
Our group discovered that the greater the mass we produced for the wheel, the greater the force the wheel would generate. For this operation we needed the greatest amount of force possible, so we resulted in attaching 1.25 pounds of weight to the hamster wheel. This would conduct the ball to conveniently pass down the track; eliminating even more external variables.
Proficiency 5:
The race is on, many developmental countries such as China and Brazil are investing millions of dollars into renewable energy operations. Countries are striving to exceed a dominant and secure renewable energy transformation; leaving America in dust. The revolution of renewable energy and alternative forms of energy may just be the retribution of our debts and economical struggles. China has invested 34.6 billion dollars towards this global engagement. America barely trails China's reputation for renewable energy produced, as it leads the world in hydro electric power generated. This year the U.S. internationally excelled in electrical production of geothermal, solar, and wind power. Renewable energy only applies to 11.14 percent of its actual energy producing foundation. In 2007 the United State's total energy consumption was 101.554 Quadrillion Btu, (British thermal units) this is about 21% of the world's total energy consumption.
Hydroelectric power is an extremely efficient alternate energy. It’s concept of harnessing the force and energy of running water in order to produce electricity. Hydro electric power produces one fifth of the world's electricity and 88% of the world's renewable energy. There are four substantial terms or forms of hydroelectric power production, they are conventional, pumped - storage, run of the river, and tide. Conventional hydrology is how most hydroelectric power comes from potential energy, the power and energy taken may depend on its volume and the height difference in the providence of the flow and the outflow. This is classified as the Head the head must maintain the water's pressure as it transports it to the turbine and generator. Pumped - storage hydrology is a method used to supply high or low demand energy by changing reservoirs to different elevations; when there is low demand the water is changed to a lower elevated reservoir, opposed to when there is lower demand when water is pumped to higher reservoir. Run of the river hydrology has lower reservoir capacity; resulting in zero percent water capacity. Finally tide hydrology; this generates the daily rise and fall of water level from tides.
In order to expand in the United State's consumption of resources, it must expand it energy production as well; in order to be able to sustain this for a considerably large amount of time the U.S. needs renewable resources. This means investing in superior generators, for example more hydro electrical plants. China has the greatest population in the world '1.3 billion people' how do you sustain electricity for this many households? Hydro electrical power is the solution. Seventy percent of the globe is water, this means that using a renewable energy based resource such as water could almost be infinitive; it could eventually lead profits, sustain almost trillions of households, and progress our understanding of the world's energy. Using the concept of converting energy and force into resources we may one day have the ability to harness earth's gravity itself into actual power!
The worlds growing needs towards resources and conservation are becoming under advised. It is humanities job to keep up with its needs, not polluting, but recycling the earth's commodities; let us continue learning and generating new ideas to make something better; to make anything better.
Paper Airplanes are More than Paper
Many people have the conception that the field of aerodynamics and the general theory of an aero plane's flight is simple and basic. We may associate this idea, however the terminology of an airplane is much more complex. The simple idea of a paper airplane finds itself in the same category as an airplane. So while these both have much in common, I'll explain the comprehension of flight using basic examples. Flight is divided amongst four variables, lift, thrust, gravity, and drag.
Air, a sub mass all around you. I just explained the most essential element of flight. This aspect may be very effective if used correctly. Put your hand in front of you, open it so it's horizontal and flat. Now flail it back and forth and try to get a feel as the air spreads all through it. Isn't it pushing against your hand creating friction to a certain point? Now put your hand in front of yourself again, only this time flatten it vertically. As you pass it back and fourth you'll certainly find the wind flow much softer and smoother. This is the simplest term for an airplane to pass great distances through the air without issues or controversies.
Drag radically effects an airplane. A plane that pushes against more wind will face more resistance. Less drag is much more effective. There's six components in drag. Parasitic drag, form drag, skin friction, interference drag, lift-induced drag, and wave drag. Parasitic drag, the most basic term in aerodynamics especially for air passing around an edge. If parasitic drag can be controlled and constant it would allow the plane to maneuver when engaged. The formula of drag is drag is equal to the mass times the change in horizontal velocity divided by the time. This is the force a commodity experiences when it passes through a fluid.
The general theory of relativity was a philosophy devised in 1915 by Albert Einstein. It combines special relativity and Newton's law of universal gravitation. The greater the mass the harder its pulled to the ground. Gravity is a major variable, by which an airplane must overcome. The plane's weight must be kept to a minimum.
A plane cannot fly at all without its thrust. As an ideology shifts or accelerates a mass in a certain direction the mass carries itself, but when drag and lift combine to enforce the thrust the plane may be carried for an extended time. Modern planes have substantial thrusts from various motors place around it. These thrusts may be rocket engines on a jet, or simple propellers on a significantly smaller plane. For a paper airplane the initial thrust is caused by the pilot as he launches the plane across a room. This thrust will carry the object for an extended amount of time. Depending on its lift, gravity, and drag.
Lift, the absolute essential component of the four variables is the key to a planes ability to stay in the air. The general philosophy that the upward motion, pressure, and force of the air is stronger on the plane. Opposed to the downward pressure on the plane. The pressure wind composes over a plane can be manipulated and controlled by directing the wind to pass over the plane's surface faster and more swiftly, therefore reducing the downward force. Wings are curved to allow more upward lift. Lift contrast with the drag force, the surface parallel to the flow of wind.
The dissection of the process the field of aerodynamics present is magnificent.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."When these four forces synthesize, a divine revelation of flight opens itself. Humanity from past and future strives to improve itself. Planes Can play a major aspect in this odyssey. Having said all this I believe the design of a plane can effect its distance.
The Irony of Change
As I soar through the sky, the ground below me appears a delicate, fragile, and graceful piece of our future and our past. Herds of horses valiantly trample through the wide open planes. I may say that yesterday, today, and tomorrow are everything I would expect. Nature and all it has to offer is infinite. I land in my favorite spot in the whole wide world, the willow tree. The smells of its flowers and the care it shares with me. Never asking for anything in return. When I needed it most, it would comfort me.
Winter came, as I migrated south for months with the other birds. Admiring the luscious ground below us. We land in the desert and playfully wonder through the cloudless, illuminated plains before us. As time passed so did our environment. I decided to say here for longer, as I felt commendable. At first changes were small, but they grew larger and faster. Immense blocks all around me everywhere I passed it wasn’t preventable. The only thing that kept me together was the willow tree. Every night everyday I would dream of the willow tree.
I met one bird just like me, as he was quite admirable indeed. We would think of our homes and the warmth by which they gave to us. He was my companion forever. Soon we agreed to return to the willow tree. Ecstatic and joyful I couldn’t wait to lay my eyes on the willow tree, but in the back of my head I was disturbed and tormented by the changes of the once fertile and delicate ground. All the immense cubes and darkened rivers growing larger and larger even as we watch! My companion and I are filled with joy as we see the willow tree once again. Oh the willow tree, valiant as its branches sway in the wind, as it reaches towards the sky, symbolizing hope and love.
We lay our nest in one of the highest branches of the willow tree. As we proceed in the circle of life we lay our eggs and insure all we have into the willow tree. Weeks I would lay on those eggs, until finally one day they hatched. The heartwarming love the hatchlings brought to me. I felt complete with my companion and hatchlings life couldn’t have been better. My many trips in hunt for food and supplies still brought me the disturbing images of the blackened rivers and smoked clouds.
As I fly back to the willow tree, I am petrified from the once valiant tree laying in front of me. Just cement and black rivers, for now there are no hatchlings to comfort me, or a willow tree, or even my companion. Only my tears may comfort me, in my dreams and during the day, for they never ask for anything in return, as they share with me.
