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How to Make a Pencil Car

Students can learn about physics by building toy cars. They can use the toys to perform experiments on the principles of force and motion. The students can measure variables such as travel time and distance, which can then be used to estimate the car̵7;s speed. To make a pencil car, build two axles to place the pencil on. Make the axles using dowels or straws. Attach wheels, which you can create from materials such as leftover cardboard or index cards.

Things You'll Need

Pencil
Cardboard
2 rubber bands
Round dowel
4 thumbtacks
Compass
Pencil
Scissors
Sandpaper
Pliers or utility knife

Instructions

- 1
  Obtain a dowel that is 1/8 to 1/2 inch in diameter. Cut it to form two smaller dowels that are 3.5 inches long. Use a utility knife or pliers if the wood is thin enough. Sand the edges so that they are smooth.
- 2
  Draw four circles on a piece of cardboard. The circles may be drawn with a compass, or by tracing a round object. Cut them out with scissors.
- 3
  Double a rubber band, and place it at least 1 inch from the end of the pencil. Point the end towards you. Place a dowel so that it is horizontal and next to the rubber band, on the side nearest you. Grasp the rubber band and pull it over the dowel, and under the pencil end. Turn the pencil around, and use another rubber band to attach the second dowel the same way.
- 4
  Adjust the axles so that the pencil is in the middle of both of them. Attach the wheels to the end of the axles with thumbtacks.

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