Shortay asked:
I have to make a co2 car in wood shop and at the end of the class we race them to see who’s goes the fastest. To start he gives us a triangular piece of wood that is narrow in the front and get thicker as it goes back. In the thicker part there is a hole to stick the co2 cartridge. How should i shape my car so that it goes the fastest? How small should i make it? I know it can’t be too light or too heavy cause the weight goes with it or something. Please help! I need a good grade.
I have to make a co2 car in wood shop and at the end of the class we race them to see who’s goes the fastest. To start he gives us a triangular piece of wood that is narrow in the front and get thicker as it goes back. In the thicker part there is a hole to stick the co2 cartridge. How should i shape my car so that it goes the fastest? How small should i make it? I know it can’t be too light or too heavy cause the weight goes with it or something. Please help! I need a good grade.
Give it a smooth tear-drop shape
How fast do these cars usually go? And how long is the typical race, maybe 1-3 seconds? I ask because I’m guessing it doesn’t matter about the shape of the car. I’ll bet what’s more important is having enough weight to keep the car from spinning out, firmly mounted but freely spinning wheels, and having the front wheels both parallel to each other and pointing forward, so the car doesn’t turn.
Are the cars guided by having them race along a tight wire? If so, then even the wheels don’t matter so much, since the car has no choice but to go straight.
You want it to be as light as possible, and do a very good job building it. You want it as symmetrical as you can get it, so that it is nice and balanced. Research online the rocket cars that they use to break land speed records. You might want to attempt that shape!
Reduce weight
Reduce friction – with oil
1. between wheel and axle
2. between wheel and surface
3. between wheel and body if it touches
Reduce distance
1. true the wheel, i.e. align to run straight
2. center the wheel, i.e. no wobbly when you spin it in side to side and up and down.
See
Reduce air drag – in small scale, this has the least effect