Foamcore board or balsa wood are often used for the body. The wheels can be off-the-shelf radio-controlled car wheels, but many builders use blank CDs or DVDs because their thin edges reduce friction.
How many wheels should a mousetrap car have?
It’s probably best to use 4 wheels. The CDs are a good choice for both sets of wheels. How do I make a mousetrap car go? The arm should have a string attached to it, with the other end of the string wrapped around the back axle (which will spin the axle when the arm snaps forward).
How does a wheel and axle work in a mousetrap car?
When the mousetrap is triggered, the string is pulled off the drive axle. This causes the drive axle and wheels to rotate and to move the vehicle forward.
Do CDs make good wheels?
DVDs/CDs make great wheels because they can slice through the air with very little resistance. CD/DVD wheels can slice through the air with very little air resistance and they have very little rotational inertia. The only problem people have with using CDs/DVDs is how to attaching them to an axle set-up.
Why is my mouse trap car not moving?
If a mousetrap vehicle is struggling to move and/or needs more acceleration then the lever arms can be shortened in order to increase the pulling force. Keep in mind that you will also have to reposition the mouse trap closer to the drive axle or the system will not work as intended.
What makes the best wheels for a mousetrap car?
To adapt your mousetrap car for distance, use large, light wheels for less friction and greater inertia. For example, old CDs make great wheels to increase distance. Larger diameter drive wheels have a greater travel distance per each turn than compared to smaller diameter drive wheels.
How does a mousetrap turn a drive wheel?
This line from the flywheel is also wound around the drive wheel axle. When the mousetrap spring is released, it turns the flywheel which then turns the drive wheel axle which propels the car forward. You can use low friction bushings for the insertion holes (in the frame) into which the axles go. Use lubrication also.
Can you change the arm length of a mousetrap car?
If you cannot change the lever arm length without a lot of reconstruction of your mousetrap vehicle then try increasing the diameter of the drive axle with tape. The idea here is to wrap tape around the drive axle and change the axle-to-wheel ratio and increase the torque delivered to the drive wheels. step #1: Remove the original axle hook.
How do you glue a mousetrap to a car?
Glue the mousetrap in place towards the front on the topside of the car with hot glue. Be sure the dowel is pointing forward away from the notch in the cardboard and that the dowel also lines up with the center of the notch when it is pulled back.
What’s the best way to position a mousetrap?
Position the trap as far forward as possible. Assuming that your trap will be turning the rear wheels, you’ll want your car’s mousetrap to be far forward on the frame as it can be without touching the front wheels.
