A Rube Goldberg machine is a deliberately complex contraption in which a series of devices that perform simple tasks are linked together to produce a domino effect in which activating one device triggers the next device in the sequence. The expression is named after American cartoonist and inventor of such contraptions, Rube Goldberg.
Our project was to make a Rube Goldberg as a introduction to our STEM class. We started out in the brainstorming stage we started out by choosing a theme, our theme was jungle. Next we sketched out a simple machine one our own then our group deiced on a mix between of all of sketch and then made a simple blueprint of our final machine.
We then had to present our machine We had to calculate the physics of ten steps, make a construction log and blueprint and find four energy transfers. We thought up a presentation and showed off our machine on our Rube Goldberg night.
Our project was to make a Rube Goldberg as a introduction to our STEM class. We started out in the brainstorming stage we started out by choosing a theme, our theme was jungle. Next we sketched out a simple machine one our own then our group deiced on a mix between of all of sketch and then made a simple blueprint of our final machine.
We then had to present our machine We had to calculate the physics of ten steps, make a construction log and blueprint and find four energy transfers. We thought up a presentation and showed off our machine on our Rube Goldberg night.
Our Rube Goldberg machine.
Steps.
Step One:
A marble rolls down a tube.
Step Two:
The marble transfers energy into a weight. The weight swings hitting board.
Step Three:
The weight transfers it's energy into a wood board. The board then transfers the energy from the weight into another weight.
Step Four:
A weight falls which activates a pulley system to pull out a nail
Step Five:
The nail gets pulled out of a piece of wood which releases a toy truck.
Step Six:
The truck rolls down the inclined plane
Step Seven:
The truck transfers it's kinetic energy into a 500g weight. This is an elastic collision.
Step Eight:
A weight falls that pulls up the water bottle
Step Nine:
Water runs down a ramp spinning a water wheel.
Step Ten:
The water wheel pulls on a string that pulls down two weights.
Step Eleven:
The weights fall pulling up a nail. The nail release a rubber band loaded "axe".
Step twelve:
The lever hits the "tree" which then gets knocked over.
A marble rolls down a tube.
Step Two:
The marble transfers energy into a weight. The weight swings hitting board.
Step Three:
The weight transfers it's energy into a wood board. The board then transfers the energy from the weight into another weight.
Step Four:
A weight falls which activates a pulley system to pull out a nail
Step Five:
The nail gets pulled out of a piece of wood which releases a toy truck.
Step Six:
The truck rolls down the inclined plane
Step Seven:
The truck transfers it's kinetic energy into a 500g weight. This is an elastic collision.
Step Eight:
A weight falls that pulls up the water bottle
Step Nine:
Water runs down a ramp spinning a water wheel.
Step Ten:
The water wheel pulls on a string that pulls down two weights.
Step Eleven:
The weights fall pulling up a nail. The nail release a rubber band loaded "axe".
Step twelve:
The lever hits the "tree" which then gets knocked over.
Concepts.
- Force - Force is the push or pull on an object. You calculate force by multiplying an objects mass by its acceleration. the unit for force is Newtons.
- Mass - Is the amount of matter in an object not to be confused with weight which is a force due to gravity. Mass' unit is kilograms.
- Velocity - Velocity is the rate of covered distance in a direction. The equation for velocity is change in distance over change in time.
- Gravitational Potential energy - Gravitational Potential energy is the amount an object has due to its position at a height in a gravitational field. You can find Potential energy by multiplying mass, gravitational acceleration, and height together. Potential energy is measured in joules.
- Kinetic Energy - Kinetic energy is the amount of energy due to motion.You can find kinetic energy by multiplying mass velocity^2 and 1/2. Kinetic energy is measured in joules.
- Mechanical advantage- Mechanical advantage is how much easier (less force) a tool makes a job. You can find Mechanical advantage by dividing an output force by an input force.
- Work - Work is the amount of energy put in to something. You can find work by multiplying force and distance. The unit for work is Joules.
Reflection
Our machine was really fun to build and I'm looking forward to more projects like this. During this project I learned that I needed to work on finding a good in-between of taking over and doing everything and not doing anything at all. The first half of the project I was taking control of everything and was a little bossy I soon realized that i was being to controlling and tried taking a step back and let my other group mates take the lead. Then during the final stages I found myself being easily distracted and couldn't focus on the task at hand. Another aspect I need to work on is cooperation. I would just start building things with out taking to my teammates and getting their ideas into the project.I think one of my strengths was my attitude and demeanor. I think I had a positive attitude during this project and I was open minded to new ideas and thoughts. During the later projects I hope to really focus on these problems and make myself as productive as possible and make working as a group as smooth as possible.