During this project, we were assigned to create a machine that worked on it’s own. The only part that we could help it with was starting the first step. Each step had to trigger another step until the machine completed a task. Some requirements for this project was we needed to incorporate 2 simple machines such as a pulley or lever. We also needed to have an object be raised/projectiled at least 12 inches.
Our Rube Goldberg machine’s objective was to water a plant. Our first step was hitting a pendulum, once the pendulum hit a hockey puck it pushed weights off of a platform. The rest of our Rube consisted of a domino track, a balloon popping, a pulley, and a wheel and axle. The final step was watering a plant. We completed this by having a heavy ball fall onto a pair or scissors. The scissors cut a string that released a cup of water causing it to fall on a plant.
What one physics concept from your analysis is most important to the overall function of your rube. I think momentum was the most important physics concept in our Rube because we needed a lot of power to complete our final step.
What was the hardest part of doing this project, how did you persevere? For me, the hardest part of this project was starting. We persevered this by working backward. We started by choosing how we were going to have water drop a plant, then we worked from there. Personally what was your biggest contribution to the project? I built the base of our rube and I feel like it was what made us motivated and ready to start working, I also helped with designing the rube and constructing the final product.