Mousetrap Car: Blog

In order to build this mousetrap car, I will need the following items:

• 4 Vinyl Records-since they are large, and have a very low rotational inertia, they will function well as the wheels for the car.
• Mousetrap-provided by Mrs. Lawrence.
• 2 BIC pins (smooth kind) to use as axis for the wheels.
• Small balloons- I can use these to wrap around the wheels which will give them more traction.  I only need to apply them to the back wheels.  However, they can also be used to fit the inside of the wheel close to the axis.
• 4 eye hooks- These need to be big enough for the pens to fit through and be able to move, however, the pen needs to not movie in an out of the hooks.  Therefore I should devise a plan to keep the pen centered.
• String- This will be connected to the the back axis and the pen of the mousetrap so that, when set off, will propel the car forward.

This will be my construction process:

• Pull the ends off of the pins, as to make them hollow.
• Cut holes in the balloons, so they will fit over the wheels, to give the wheels more traction.
• Fit the eye hooks on the pins, firmly but not too tight.
• Make a hole in the frame of the pen, and thread the string through.
• Put the eye holes in the mouse trap like so:

• Insert front axis, (one without string).
• Wrap unused balloons around ends of the front axis tightly.
• Insert wheels onto axis.
• Repeat for back wheels