Overview

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Standards

Partners in Time Kits:

Authors: Dave Foggin, Shannon McCale and Shawn Weaver Subject(s): Physics Grade Level: 9-12

Problem: (watch video of problem)

Due to rising fuel prices, ACME Car Company has announced a competition to create an economic, electric powered car.  A lucrative contract to build ten cars will be awarded to the engineering team with the best overall prototype design.  Like all cars, this car must be equipped with standard safety features, such as lights, a horn, and power switch. 

As an automotive/electrical engineer, your job is to design and construct a prototype car with a minimal budget.  Product testing will be based on speed, navigation, and safe operation. Can you use your background in electricity, electrical circuitry, and Newton’s Laws to win the contract? Necessary construction components will be available for purchase from the Build-A-Car Company.

“Ladies and gentlemen….start your engines!”

Unit Overview:

In this unit, students learn some of the major physics concepts, including electricity, electrical circuitry, and application of Newton’s Laws as they design and create an electric powered car.  In addition, students will discover, evaluate, and analyze electrical components and circuitry and the transfer of electrical potential energy into mechanical energy in the most efficient manner possible. 

Part of the project grade is dependent upon the students keeping a daily journal detailing the work they have completed on their cars. Also, a grading rubric will be used for project assessment.

Pre Assessment

Post Assessment

Credits and References:

Warlick, David. Son of Citation Machine. April 2006. The Landmark Project. 29 Jun 2007
<http://www.citationmachine.net/>.

The Physics Classroom and Mathsoft Engineering & Education, Inc., "Newton's Laws." The Physics Classroom. 28 Jun 2007 <http://www.physicsclassroom.com/>.

Hepburn, Carl. "Friction." Splung.com physics. 28 Jun 2007 <http://splung.com/content/sid/2/page/friction/>.

RadioShack Corporation, Radio Shack. 28 Jun 2007 <http://www.radioshack.com/home/index.jsp>.

SmartDraw.com, "Easy Electrical Circuit Diagrams." Smart Draw. 28 Jun 2007 <http://www.smartdraw.com/exp/ele/>.

Knott, Graham. "Batteries in Series and Parallel." 1999. 28 Jun 2007 <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/g_knott/elect27.htm>.

Henderson, Tom. "Lesson 4: Circuit Connections." The Physics Classroom. 2005. Glenbrook South. 28 Jun 2007 <http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/circuits/u9l4a.html>.

General Motors Corporation, "GMability." GM. 28 Jun 2007 <http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/edu_k-12/5-8/fc_energy/index.html>.

PhysLink.com, "Electronics." Science eStore. April 2006. 29 Jun 2007 <http://www.physlink.com/eStore/cart/ElectronicKits.cfm>.

"Car Kits." KITSUSA.us. April 2006. 29 Jun 2007 <http://www.kitsusa.net/phpstore/html/Category-3-0.html>.

"Electric Car, set of 3." SK Science Kit & Boreal Laboratories. 29 Jun 2007 <http://sciencekit.com/product.asp?pn=IG0027819&bhcd2=1183121713>.

"Build Your Own Electric Car Kit." Scientifics. 29 Jun 2007 <http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp?pn=3111405&sid=sortprice&bhcd2=1183121428>.

"Children's Science Kit "Make your own electric car"." Amazon.com. 29 Jun 2007 <http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Science-Make-Your-Electric/dp/B000N2B02W>.

SciLinks. 29 Jun 2007 <http://www.scilinks.org>.