A Measure of Sound

We got through experiment 1 of our lab today: Winding things up. In this lab we used a Magnetic Feild Sensor to measure magnetic field strenght generated by a nail, wire, and a battery. In the end we got the graph shown above. We wound the wire around the nail 3 more times each time we tested it. Both ends of the wire were attached to a flash light battery. This graph shows that as the wire was wound around the nail the magnetic field got larger and stronger. We had some difficulty about 3/4 of the way through when out battery started losing energy and we got false data. After a quick battery change we did a few of the tests again and got data that fits into the trend line.

We didn't get to perform experiment 2 -Build Your Own Speaker- because we ran out of time. It would have involved my ground using our new found knowledge of magnetic fields and a plastic cup to make a very simple speaker. I understand the basic idea behind this but it would have been an interesting lab.

I am not sure how this directly applies to Mission to Mars, I wonder if it has to do with the magnetic field of the rocket or any of the instruments? I imagine magnetic fields play an important role in space, I am curious to see how this applies later.

Curious Magnetics Blog

I was absent that day but I would have been building a Gauss Rifle using the energy of the magnets. Then we were to construct pendulum engine, then we were to create a maglev vehicle. I think it is important to learn about magnets because they will be very useful in space. They have energy when there is more than one of them and they are something you can bring with you. They are very useful things to have.

Impact Craters Lab

In this blog we are supposed to measure craters from the same ball in flour form different heights. We measured a 7.7kg ball from 12" (.3048 meters), 8" (.2032 meters), and 5" (.127 meters). All the craters were one inch in diameter. The average 12" crater was 8/16th of an inch deep. The average 8" crater was 4/16th of an inch deep. The average 5" crater was 3/16th of an inch deep.

Twelve inches: GPE= 23 J. V= 2.444 m/s
Eight inches: GPE= 15.333 J. V= 1.995 m/s
Five inches: GPE= 9.5835 J. V= 1.577 m/s

I realized that the higher velocity it has when it hits the flower the larger the crater will be. You get a higher velocity by dropping it from higher up or dropping a more massive crater. The higher Gravitation Potential Energy an object has the larger the crater (again this is connected to how high up you drop it from and how massive the object is).

Heat Shield Labs

In this lab we were supposed to make a heat shield (out of foil, metal mesh, one nut, and one washer) to protect our rocket ship (a screw glued on to a wooden dowel). Then we put it to the test with a propane torch and timed how long it lasted until the glue melted and the rocket fell.

My first attempt lasted for 15 seconds. We realized that it would last longer if there was air between the heat shield and the tip of the screw (also if there wasn't any exposed rocket). My second attempt lasted for 50 seconds and then my heat shield fell apart (it was sown together). If I had more time I would want to try making a heat shield using other things to keep it together, that was my main issues, keeping it on!

I think this is important because during Mission to Mars we are going to have to launch and take off and it would be bad if our rocket blew up in the process. I want to experiment with other materials like ceramics that don't conduct heat.

Math Graph

Mini Culmination (this is equvilant to two blogs)

My role in the team is mostly to help who ever needs it. I have been working a lot with programming the robot but have been struggling with bugs in the actual Lego robot. I have the basic idea for the program though. I recently learned how to use Skype, a communication tool. I recruited some of my team members to help me because I had never used it before.
I learned that I have a visit day on Friday so I am brainstorming ways to help my team while I am not there. My position is supposed to be Mars base, the person who communicates with everyone else and orders the pieces they need to build or fix what they need to. I hope I will be able to help even though I won't be there.

Things we need to get done this week includes trouble shooting the Lego robot to make it run straight again, get a definite program to be used on Friday, create the basket for the robot, and help all the other team members who need help. I think we should start this week off with a group check in and a group brain storm to help me think about what I can do since I can't be there on Friday (I think I will also check in with MM more about this).

Universal Law of Gravity Commercial