TABLE OF CONTENTS In this section some non specific MaT projects are described. They can form the basis for designing and planning a wide range of MaT projects with specific objectives. The projects may be used to engage student's minds while they are still unfettered by the need to be highly analytical. In all cases the need to think through the problem is stressed, but the usual time constraints imposed on these short-term projects generally prohibit detailed or extensive analysis.
P 2.3 Projects Based on Gravitational Potential Energy
Transfer energy from a golf ball, tennis ball, or any other mass, to drive a vehicle over some convenient test course.
Use one form of potential energy (fluidor solid particle-based, such as water or sand raised to some height) to do work ( e.g., to raise a mass).
Transfer potential energy of a mass to generate a suitable impact to launch a vehicle or to destroy some structure designed to protect a valued object (such as a fresh egg or a delicate plaster article).
Some examples are:
Design a vehicle, using only the energy available from a standard golf ball, falling under the action of gravity from a vertical height of two meters, to carry a payload of 0.2 kg. Criterion of performance is the distance travelled on a relatively smooth horizontal surface.
Devise a simple track to permit a coin (The US quarter or the Australian dollar are suitable coins,...
