Powering the Mousetrap Car

[ScienceguyOrg]

If you go to the ScienceGuyOrg website unders Articles - Mousetrap Car Construction and Plan, there is a PDF download for the plans. The lever arm is 13 1/4".  The end of the lever arm should be right above the rear axle. Instead of balsa frame you can also build it from foam, there is a picture of that in the Mousetrap Car article. Hope that helps. Bill Kuhl

[afroman0794]

you never said how long the lever arm should be on the quickie mouse trap car?

this is an important aspect to the distance of the car, and was wondering what would work best. thanks

[ScienceguyOrg]

I am not sure how far the Quicky Mouse will travel, 50 feet at least. The prototype which was 2 inches longer went diagonally across a gym and hit the wall. The surface makes a big difference, hard smooth floors work best.

[afroman0794]

how far does the quicky mouse trap car travel?

[ScienceguyOrg]

With smaller axle, it turns the wheel more revolutions for the amount of string.

[mxf7010g8k]

ive wondered. would there be any advantage to adding a wider spot on the axle where the string wraps around. something like, say, a thread bobbin?

[baloneyjazz]

@mxf7010g8k I think the larger the circumference where the string wraps the axle, the more torque you will get. I think the idea is to run in the minimum torque you can get away with.