Rube Goldberg Machine
A Rube Goldberg Machine is a device/contraption that is "over engineered" with a series of complicated steps to perform a simple task .My group goal is to roll a cup of dice for Yahtzee. My groupmates were Jack Duffin, Scott Fischer, and Jason Franks We built 10 steps in our project and used 5 different types of simple machines; pulley, lever, inclined plane, We started working in the beginning of September and finished on October 3rd. Here is our first design.
We started with a basic blueprint on what we expected to produce. Our final product was actually very true to the first blueprint. We used a lot of different tools and materials to create our Rube Goldberg Machine, such as; hack saw, hammer, nails, electric drill, screws, wood, pvc pipe, tubing, plastic containers, string, pulleys, and power saw.
We had several minor setbacks over the course of the construction of our project. The lever would not stay in their correct spot so we added some barriers and safety precautions to be sure of proper marble placement. We also had to spend extra time on the wedge. The wedge would slip out from under the cup too fast resulting in the cup not falling over. So, we replaced the cup with a more promising model and the results were very satisfying.
We had several minor setbacks over the course of the construction of our project. The lever would not stay in their correct spot so we added some barriers and safety precautions to be sure of proper marble placement. We also had to spend extra time on the wedge. The wedge would slip out from under the cup too fast resulting in the cup not falling over. So, we replaced the cup with a more promising model and the results were very satisfying.
We went through many complicated processes to reach our conclusion, so here is a video of our final product.(edited by Jason Franks)
To calculate the physics of our Rube Goldberg Machine we used many equations, such as;
Work = Force x Distance - We used the formula for work in several steps, for instance we calculated the work the golf ball exerted on the pulley system. We also used the formula to determine how much work the marble exerted onto the car.
Force = Mass x Acceleration - We used the force formula in many steps like step 2 in which the golf ball is struck by a domino causing it to fall and activate a lever. We calculated the force of the domino onto the golf ball and the force of the golf ball onto the lever. We also used it in many other instances throughout the machine.
Ag = Acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s2 - With this formula we calculated the acceleration of the marble rolling down the inclined planes and the acceleration of the marble rolling down the screw.
Potential Energy = Mass x Acceleration due to gravity x Height - We calculated the potential energy of practically all of the golf balls and marbles. The golf ball in step 2, the marble in step 4, the golf ball in step 6, and the marble in step 8.
Kinetic Energy = 1/2 x Mass x Velocity2 - We used the formula for Kinetic Energy for all of the same balls above.
Mechanical Advantage = input distance/ output distance - We used the Mechanical Advantage formula for the levers, the inclined planes, the pulleys, and the screw.
Work = Force x Distance - We used the formula for work in several steps, for instance we calculated the work the golf ball exerted on the pulley system. We also used the formula to determine how much work the marble exerted onto the car.
Force = Mass x Acceleration - We used the force formula in many steps like step 2 in which the golf ball is struck by a domino causing it to fall and activate a lever. We calculated the force of the domino onto the golf ball and the force of the golf ball onto the lever. We also used it in many other instances throughout the machine.
Ag = Acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s2 - With this formula we calculated the acceleration of the marble rolling down the inclined planes and the acceleration of the marble rolling down the screw.
Potential Energy = Mass x Acceleration due to gravity x Height - We calculated the potential energy of practically all of the golf balls and marbles. The golf ball in step 2, the marble in step 4, the golf ball in step 6, and the marble in step 8.
Kinetic Energy = 1/2 x Mass x Velocity2 - We used the formula for Kinetic Energy for all of the same balls above.
Mechanical Advantage = input distance/ output distance - We used the Mechanical Advantage formula for the levers, the inclined planes, the pulleys, and the screw.
I had a lot of fun over the course of the creation of our projects. I honestly think it was a great experience and have no bad memories. I learned many important lessons during the creation of my RGM, like; be careful with an exacto-knife, and don't procrastinate, but more importantly I was constantly reminded to respect others ideas and work hard to work well together.