Rube Goldberg Machine
Our Rube Goldberg project was really exciting and fun to build. As we started this project, we identified the problem. We needed to complete a simple task with many complex steps. What we decided to do is to lend a pencil to a friend. We looked at ideas on what we can do to accomplish this task. We looked at videos to find the different kinds of steps we can do. After looking at various videos, we decided to brainstorm ideas and develop a solution. We all discussed as a group on what we can do and we finally resulted in a design we would use.
We started to build our machine and started with a piece with an inclined plane, a pulley, another inclined plane, and a screw. We then wanted a ball that rolled down the screw to hit a lever which will topple dominoes. After this step, we wanted a lever to fall and cause a weight to go down a zip-line which would make a weight fall and cut scissors to shoot a pencil. This was our original design.
After we started building, we noticed that we would have to eliminate the lever to topple the dominoes. It was not working as we would like it to, so we just got rid of it. It was not working and the ball didn't have enough acceleration to make this lever work. We also had to add a truck to hit the weight to cut the string because the weight did not have enough mass to knock over the larger mass. We added a truck which had enough force to hit the weight and make it fall.
Rube Goldberg Steps
Step 1 - The ball rolls down the inclined plane
Step 2 - Ball goes into cup and makes the cup fall. On the other side of the pulley, which the cup is connected to, is a nail, acting as a wedge, is lifted.
Step 3 - The wedge releases a smaller marble which rolls down another inclined plane.
Step 4- The marble rolls down the screw.
Step 5 - The marble hits the dominoes causing a toppling effect.
Step 6 - The final domino hits a class one lever.
Step 7 - The lever is connected to a platform which a weight in sitting on. The lever pulls the platform out from under the weight.
Step 8 - The weight goes down a zip-line which acts like an inclined plane.
Step 9 - The weight hits a truck.
Step 10 - The truck pushed a weight off the edge of a platform.
Step 11 - The weight falls down causing the scissor handle to pull up.
Step 12 - The scissors cut the thread and makes the pencil shoot.
Our math is explained in this slideshow below:
This Rube Goldberg machine was very fun to make. Although we did have some errors, mistakes, and arguments, we had fun and worked well. We did have many arguments amongst ourselves which was a very bad thing. We could have used less time arguing and more time working. We also had negative thoughts on how we would do something. Also, some days while constructing this machine, we would just give up on certain parts and stop production for the day. We needed to use time better.
I did learn that, even though we did have some fights, people can grow closer as friends even if you are working on a project that takes time and effort to build. Also, I learned all about physics and how certain things work. I will continue using this knowledge to further complete tasks. Within our group, we learned that we can work well together and also have fun. This project has given me a great learning opportunity and has taught me many different things.
We started to build our machine and started with a piece with an inclined plane, a pulley, another inclined plane, and a screw. We then wanted a ball that rolled down the screw to hit a lever which will topple dominoes. After this step, we wanted a lever to fall and cause a weight to go down a zip-line which would make a weight fall and cut scissors to shoot a pencil. This was our original design.
After we started building, we noticed that we would have to eliminate the lever to topple the dominoes. It was not working as we would like it to, so we just got rid of it. It was not working and the ball didn't have enough acceleration to make this lever work. We also had to add a truck to hit the weight to cut the string because the weight did not have enough mass to knock over the larger mass. We added a truck which had enough force to hit the weight and make it fall.
Rube Goldberg Steps
Step 1 - The ball rolls down the inclined plane
Step 2 - Ball goes into cup and makes the cup fall. On the other side of the pulley, which the cup is connected to, is a nail, acting as a wedge, is lifted.
Step 3 - The wedge releases a smaller marble which rolls down another inclined plane.
Step 4- The marble rolls down the screw.
Step 5 - The marble hits the dominoes causing a toppling effect.
Step 6 - The final domino hits a class one lever.
Step 7 - The lever is connected to a platform which a weight in sitting on. The lever pulls the platform out from under the weight.
Step 8 - The weight goes down a zip-line which acts like an inclined plane.
Step 9 - The weight hits a truck.
Step 10 - The truck pushed a weight off the edge of a platform.
Step 11 - The weight falls down causing the scissor handle to pull up.
Step 12 - The scissors cut the thread and makes the pencil shoot.
Our math is explained in this slideshow below:
This Rube Goldberg machine was very fun to make. Although we did have some errors, mistakes, and arguments, we had fun and worked well. We did have many arguments amongst ourselves which was a very bad thing. We could have used less time arguing and more time working. We also had negative thoughts on how we would do something. Also, some days while constructing this machine, we would just give up on certain parts and stop production for the day. We needed to use time better.
I did learn that, even though we did have some fights, people can grow closer as friends even if you are working on a project that takes time and effort to build. Also, I learned all about physics and how certain things work. I will continue using this knowledge to further complete tasks. Within our group, we learned that we can work well together and also have fun. This project has given me a great learning opportunity and has taught me many different things.