So, the project is to build a rubber band car that can travel a great distance.
Limitations: 1 Rubber band as it's power source
Expectancy: at least 15m in distance traveled
Conditions: Allow only the rubber band's power to propel the car forward on a tiled floor. Without any additional forces

My ideas so far:
Attaching one end of the rubber band in a fixed position in the center of the car, while the other end attaches to the back wheel's axels. Wind + let go.
This idea is quite simple and I can assure that it won't really travel "at least 15m"

I was wondering about the "sling shot" effect in rubber band cars and if anyone can enlighten me on this or any other method to achieve what I need to.
Thank you, Fg will be provided if it works out.

yeah

i think we need stronger gas

if u dont understand the design u can pm me.

but with a normal sized rubber you should be able to get 15 m easily on a flat surface.

oh lol i didnt read ur whole post. but basically u have the same idea.

the distance that the car travels matters directly on the potential energy stored when u compress the spring in this case the rubber.

they have rubber bands as thick as 1cm in any office supply store. and if u wind them really tight without breaking it, i think you would easily get 15m, it also matters how smoth is the axel in ur car, grease it up!

oh actually i missed a really important factor, which is the friction of the tires with the ground.

if the release of the winded rubber band is too powerful, the tires would just skit and the car would go nowhere lol.


edit: so im thinking you should make the weight to rubber band power ratio balanced so that the rubber band would unwind slowly.


good luck!

This post was edited by schubert on Nov 16 2009 10:59pm

hmm damn i just pretty much did his design but mine was flawed here it is anyway