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How to Build an Elastic Band Car

Building and racing toy cars powered by elastic bands is a popular learning exercise for young people. You can see them being raced on such TV shows as "Nova" and "Zoom" as well as in YouTube video clips. According to the University of Idaho, the activity is an enjoyable way for students to learn about Newton's Laws of Motion. Students learn about potential energy stored in the wound-up elastic band and the kinetic energy released when the band propels the car forward.

Things You'll Need

2-by-4-by-8-inch Styrofoam block
Ruler
Felt marker
Compass
Craft saw
Craft drill
2 flat washers
1/4-by-2 3/8-inch threaded eye bolt
1/4 inch nut
2 wooden skewers
4 1-inch Styrofoam balls
7-by-1/8-inch elastic band
Scotch tape
4 elastic bands, 7/8 by 1/16 inch

Instructions

The Car
- 1
  
  Styrofoam balls can be used for wheels.
  
  Place the Styrofoam block flat on the table. Use the ruler to find a point 3 inches in from the end and 2 inches from the outside edge. Mark the spot with an "X" using the felt marker.
- 2
  
  Measure a circle with the compass.
  
  Use the compass to draw a 2-inch circle around the X you marked in the last step.
- 3
  
  A craft knife can be used to cut the foam block.
  
  Use the craft saw or knife to cut out the circle you marked on the block
- 4
  
  Use a felt marker to mark where the axles will go.
  
  Mark spots on the sides of the block 2 inches in from the front and back of the block. This marks where the axles will go.
- 5
  
  Use a rotary craft drill to cut the axle holes.
  
  Use the craft drill to drill all the way through the block on the axle marks.
- 6
  Mark a spot on top of the Styrofoam block 2 inches back from the front end and 2 inches in from the side.
- 7
  
  The washers hold the eye bolt securely.
  
  Drill through the foam block on the spot you just marked.
- 8
  Place a flat washer over the hole you just drilled and insert the eye bolt through it. Place the other washer over the end of the eye bolt on the bottom and use the nut to tighten the eye bolt in place.
Wheels and Elastic Bands
- 9
  
  Use wooden skewers as axles.
  
  Insert a wooden skewer through the center of one of the Styrofoam balls until the tip just barely shows on the other side of the ball.
- 10
  Stick the other end of the skewer through the front axle hole and push the other foam ball onto the skewer leaving room for the wheels to turn freely.
- 11
  
  The long elastic band stores potential energy.
  
  Thread one end of the long elastic band through the eye bolt and pull it back through the elastic band to attach it securely to the eye bolt.
- 12
  Slide the other skewer through the rear axle hole and push the other foam balls onto each end, leaving room for the wheels to turn freely.
- 13
  Use the scotch tape to attach the free end of the long elastic band to the center of the rear axle. The easiest way to do this is to put a strip of tape across the inside of the elastic band and push it down on the axle through the hole on top of the foam block to attach the tape to the axle. Wrap the tape around the axle to secure it by turning the rear wheels. Use enough tape to attach the elastic band securely to the rear axle.
- 14
  Make the car go by pulling it backward to tighten the elastic band. When you release the car, the tension of the band will make it go forward.

Educational Toys