This core project uses aircarts to explore the propulsion of land-based
vehicles by pushing air.
Figure C1
Aircarts
Background:
The study of motion is motivated in part by the human desire to move things
from one place to another. Designing transportation systems requires an
understanding of some basic ideas of physics.
A Story Pushing
with air might move an "all-terrain" vehicle in unusual environments.
Questions:What
transportation problems could and aircart solve? What are its drawbacks?
Tools: For this project
you will need a sharp knife, a straight edge, a stopwatch, and a ruler.
Materials: Corrugated cardboard,
hot glue, and pop-rivets are needed for the construction of this aircart.
Wheels, a switch, battery holders, an electric motor, and a propeller are
included in your kit.
Activities:The core activity is the construction of a model aircart. This construction
has been separated into several activities, construction of the frame, building
the propulsion system, assembling and wiring the propulsion system, and
attaching the wheels and testing the model.
Analysis:Suggestions
for analysis of data necessary to answer questions posed at the start of
the unit
Reporting:Suggestions
for collecting, synthesizing, and reporting the work done in the "core
project"
