i have to make a car in science that is blown along with a box fan?

Question

i can use:
1 piece computer paper;1 piece construction paper; 10 popsicle sticks, 4 drink container lids; 1 coat hanger; 6 toothpicks; scissors and plies, and wood glue. the car has to travel 3 meters and must stay within a 1 meter wide lane. it will be blown by a box fan 9 times: 3 times on high, 3 times on medium, and 3 times on low. the fan can be placed anywhere behind the car before the trial begins. the faster it goes, the better. any ideas? would be appreciated. thanks.

Answer 1

What would makes the car go faster?

Better efficiency of wind capture.
Reduced rolling resistance.
Low weight.


The more wind that the car can capture the quicker it will be. So make as big a sail as you can. Work out how you are going to transfer the force on the sail to the car. You'll need it to be stable under the weight of the sail so a long wheelbase would be needed.

Make sure that your wheels are lightweight and perfectly smooth and circular and make the bearing perfectly centred and low friction.

For fun you could try and eliminate the wheels. Funnel the air downwards and turn it into a hovercraft. Then it would glide like a dream if you get the skirt just right.

Answer 2

Have you ever seen spinnaker sails on sailboats? Essentially you want the sail to be downwind of the center of mass so that the car is pulled rather than pushed by the wind.

Are you able to test your car at home?

Slots in the sail will increase stability. This allows the air somewhere to go. If all it can do is spill out the sides then that makes things unstable.

Do some online research. This has been done many, many times before.

Have fun!

Answer 3

Sounds more like a boat.
The bigger and wider the sail the better. Check out sail design on line for different variations.
Centering the sail will help it maintain a straight line.
Make the weight as light as possible. (make only the car frame)