http://www.appropedia.org/Laurel_Tree_Charter_School

1. GREENtree
Christopher Alston, Andre Bernal,
Julian Quick, and Jesse Zipursky
Engineering 215 Fall 2012

2. To design and build a set of
apparatuses that demonstrate
Newton’s three laws of motion to
Laurel Tree high school students

3. 1st Law: An object stays in
constant motion unless
acted upon by an external
force
2nd Law: Force equals mass
times acceleration
3rd Law: For every action
there is an equal and
opposite reaction

4. • Durability
• Mysteriousness
• Safety
• Educational Value
• Measurability
• Accuracy & Precision
• Inexpensive
• Storability
• Sustainability

5. Inclined Planes
Loop de Loop Rollercoaster
Balloon Rocket

6. Inclined Planes in construction The finished apparatus
• Solving for the coefficient of friction
for each surface
• Demonstrates friction and inertia on
a moving object
• Different surfaces are secured on
the planes with Velcro ®

7. Free Body Diagram
Inclined Planes
• N = mgcos(θ)
• Assume f =  N
• mg sin(θ) = mgcos(θ)
• = tan(θ)
Friction cutouts

8. • Practical application
• Students can calculate
initial height needed to
pass loop
• Demonstrates F=ma,
potential energy and
centripetal acceleration
Loop de Loop Rollercoaster
Julian Quick, 2012

9. At top of loop, Fcentripetal acceleration ≥ Fgravity
m ac ≥ m g
ac ≥ g
Marble
Given that
ac = v2 / r
To get v2,
Use conservation of energy:
v2 = 2 g h
So, 2 g h / r ≥ g
Julian Quick, 2012
h≥r/2

10. • Demonstrates
Newton’s Third
Law
• Calculate average
velocity
• Varying distances
Balloon Rocket Apparatus

11. balloon
Straw
(unseen)
Track
The Rocket Balloon in use

12. Inclined Planes Loop de Loop Rollercoaster Balloon Rocket
Retail Retail Retail
Material Quantity Cost ($) Material Quantity Cost ($) Material Quantity Cost ($)
Cost ($) Cost ($) Cost ($)
Plywood 6" by Foam Pipe 1.25” PVC Pipe
2 donated $ 33.50 2 $ 3.98 $ 3.98 2 $ 5.49 $ 5.49
30” (planes) Insulation at 4’
Plywood 4' by 4' 1.25 “PVC Pipe 6 gal Buckets 2 $ 13.98 $ 13.98
1 donated $ 16.37 6 3.56 $ 3.56
(platform) segments 1.25” PVC
2 $ 2.98 $ 2.98
Hinges 8 $ 17.98 $ 17.98 1’x .5’ Plywood 1 donated $ 5.37 Coupling
Metal Slate 6" by Adhesive 1 $ 3.29 $ 3.29 Eye Hook 2 $ 3.98 $ 3.98
1 donated $ 21.98
30” Bag of Marbles 6 $ 2.99 $ 2.99 1.25” PVC Plug 2 $ 2.99 $ 2.99
Carpet 6" by 30” 1 donated $ 5.79 Total $ 13.82 $ 19.19 String or Thin
1 $ 8.99 $ 8.99
Wooden Blocks Line at 7’
4 donated $ 11.56
2" by 6" A Pack of
1 $ 2.97 $ 2.97
Plywood Stand 2 donated $ 15.49 Balloons
Nails and 1” tubing
1 $ 1.99 $ 1.99 1 $ 0.17 $ 0.17
Hardware section at 1’
Wood Glue 1 $ 3.49 $ 3.49 Washers 4 $ 0.80 $ 0.80
Velcro® 8 $ 3.99 $ 3.99 Spray Painy 2 $ 9.98 $ 9.98
Total $ 27.45 $132.14 40LB Concrete 1 $ 5.49 $ 5.49
Total $ 57.82 $ 57.82
Cost Paid $ 99.09
Retail Cost $ 209.15

13. Total Hours: 200.25

14. Becca Schuler
Laurel Tree Charter School
Marty Reed
Lewis C
Michelle “Moss” Wurlitzer
Arcata Lumber
Lonny Grafman