Introduction:

In this unit, we students will be required to create a tool, prototype, or toy that involved energy transfer.

Different Ideas:

1. Sailboat

Making a mini-functioning sailboat was the first idea that came to my mind, it contains energy transfer since when moving air has interacted with the sails, kinetic energy is created. I didn’t choose this idea since it might be too hard to make because there are a lot of details such as the hull, the keel, the rudder, the mast, and the mainsail.

Difficulty: ☆☆

Fun: ☆☆☆☆

2. Desk Lamp

This idea is quite simple, and it came to my mind immediately. The lamp also has the transformation of energies, for instance, chemical energy in the batteries is transferred into electrical energy. Electrical energy is then converted into light energy in the bulb. The lamp is going to be easy to make because you just need a basic structure plus a switch and a light bulb with wires connecting them. It will definitely be done in only one week, so I gave up on this idea.

Difficulty: ☆☆☆☆

Fun: ☆☆☆

3. DIY Biplane

Making planes is also a fantastic idea because it not only has energy transfers, but it’s also interesting to make. As the speed of the aircraft increases, mechanical energy is converted into kinetic energy. As the plane flies higher, mechanical energy is transferred to gravitational energy. The plane also creates sound energy as the engines are functioning. But because of the fact that we only have 2 weeks to make this, it is quite challenging because the mechanics and the materials are hard to assemble and create. At last, I decided to think of something else.

Difficulty: ☆☆☆☆☆

Fun: ☆☆☆☆☆

4. Trebuchet

Trebuchet is the last idea that I came up with, I think I have the ability to finish creating this project with two other group members in two weeks’ time.  The trebuchet utilizes gravitational energy into kinetic energy while the machine is functioning. It is just ok to make because the basic structure and the actual mechanics in it are just the right difficulties. The trebuchet is the device that I’m going to make throughout this project.

Difficulty: ☆☆☆☆

Fun: ☆☆☆☆☆