Curious Magnetics

Today Gemma and I did the lab "Curious Magnetics." We were able to complete Experiment 1 and Experiment 2. For Experiment 1 we had "to build your own Gauss Rifle using the energy of magnets and the transfer of kinetic energy from supplied steel balls." The group that had done this lab before us had built the Gauss Rifle and hadn't taken it apart, so we didn't have to rebuild it. All we had to do was test it out. It worked really well.
For Experiment 2 we had "to construct a pendulum engine that uses the heat of a flame, the energy of a magnet, and the force of gravity to create its motion." This experiment was a little more challenging. We had to be careful where we placed the wire, the magnet and the candle. When we lit the candle the wire only moved slightly.
If I could do this lab again I would try placing the wire, the magnet and the candle in different places to try to make the wire move more.

Motors: A Magnetic Movement

Today Kimmy, Jackie, and I did the lab "Motors." We used "an electric current running through a solenoid to suck a needle into a straw." At first, my group and I had trouble understanding what we were supposed to do. But when we got help from a teacher we better understood. We were able to successfully constructed a solenoid that sucked a needle into a straw.

Robotics and Action/Reaction Mini-Culmination

Today, I tried out the basket I had designed the day before. I tried putting different objects into the basket to see if the basket could carry the objects up the fishing line. It was harder for the basket to carry the heavier objects up the fishing line, so I had to use more balloons. The heavier the object, the more balloons I had to use. The basket I designed worked out great!
Since I was finished making the basket I helped a few of my teammates design the robotix loader. We were unable to finish it before class ended. So, I am a little concerned about getting it done.

Robotics and Action/Reaction Mini-Culmination

Today I worked on designing a basket to help carry an object up the fishing line. The picture at left is a picture of my first design. When I tried my first design out, it didn't work. I think the reason it did not work was because the design was so heavy. My second design worked much better. It was much lighter. I used plastic bags and wooden skewers. When I tried it out, it worked very well.

Newton's 1st Law

Robotics and Action/Reaction Mini-Culmination

Today my group and I prepared for our Mini-Culmination. Madeira and I worked on designing a Robotix Loader. The loader "should be capable of manipulating a load of various masses and sizes." The loader will be used for picking up an object and transporting it to different locations. Madeira and I tried using different pieces and connecting different pieces together. This was a fun lab and we made progress!

Robotics and Action/Reaction Mini-Culmination

Today my class and I were introduced to the Robotics and Action/Reaction Mini-Culmination. When MM and Bert first introduced the Mini-Culmination to us, i didn't understand what we were supposed to do. But now I understand with help from my classmates and from Bert.
We began our preparation for the mini-culmination by equally dividing the work. Today, I worked on geting a balloon to go up a piece of string. Eventually I will design a basket that will help carry an object up the piece of string.