In this project, we were tasked with creating a working Rube Goldberg contraption with twelve transfers of energy- or “steps.” We used physics concepts such as kinetic energy, velocity, and inertia to assist us in building our Rubes.
Our Rube Goldberg performed two simple tasks- pushing a button on a coffee machine and pouring in the water. Our Rube included five PVC pipe ramps, a switch triggering an electric motor, a free fall, and a lever, among other things. The step we had the most trouble with was our electric motor- it was very difficult to get it to raise the ball bearing.
What steps were most challenging to make work? (How did you troubleshoot or redesign)
Our “Electric Motor Apparatus” was the hardest to make work. At first we had a tupperware to lift the ball bearing, but it didn’t tip it. We then went through a duct-tape sling (also wouldn’t tip), a PVC pipe (ball bearing wouldn’t stay on), and finally, welded screws and a pole to lift the ball bearing.
What was the hardest part of doing this project, how did you persevere?
It was hard for me to understand all of the equations and how to calculate them. However, I asked for help from Brian and my groupmate Liv and ended up completing the calculations for ‘Work and Power’ for our “Electric Motor Apparatus.”
Personally what was your biggest contribution to the project?
My biggest contribution is probably the work I did on the analysis with my groupmate Liv. I also brought in the battery pack for the electric motor, and tried to help with the building and troubleshooting.
Our Rube Goldberg performed two simple tasks- pushing a button on a coffee machine and pouring in the water. Our Rube included five PVC pipe ramps, a switch triggering an electric motor, a free fall, and a lever, among other things. The step we had the most trouble with was our electric motor- it was very difficult to get it to raise the ball bearing.
What steps were most challenging to make work? (How did you troubleshoot or redesign)
Our “Electric Motor Apparatus” was the hardest to make work. At first we had a tupperware to lift the ball bearing, but it didn’t tip it. We then went through a duct-tape sling (also wouldn’t tip), a PVC pipe (ball bearing wouldn’t stay on), and finally, welded screws and a pole to lift the ball bearing.
What was the hardest part of doing this project, how did you persevere?
It was hard for me to understand all of the equations and how to calculate them. However, I asked for help from Brian and my groupmate Liv and ended up completing the calculations for ‘Work and Power’ for our “Electric Motor Apparatus.”
Personally what was your biggest contribution to the project?
My biggest contribution is probably the work I did on the analysis with my groupmate Liv. I also brought in the battery pack for the electric motor, and tried to help with the building and troubleshooting.