So around a month ago, my whole chemistry class was assigned a fairly large project - the whole class being split up in a number of independent groups.
So a group of me and 4 other people, have to construct a
chemical reaction causing propellant, to
propel a car.
The thing is, each person has a different job in the group, we have:
- 2 group managers.
- 1 chemical engineer.
- 1 graphical design engineer.
- 1 mechanical engineer.
I have the job of the
mechanical engineer, the one who physically builds the car.
Here are some of the physical car
requirements:
- Must fit into a shoebox.
- Must be less than 2 kilograms total mass.
- CANNOT be constructed using any pre-existing model car or kit car.
- Must travel 10 meters in a straight-as-possible line.
- Must be able to carry 500mL of water or 500 grams of mass.
Furthermore, the car is going to be propelled by a black powder, consisting of the formulaic equation:
2
KNO3 +
S + 3
C --->
K2
S +
N2 + 3
CO2
Seeing as though it is a black powder, I'm lost at ideas of the physical car, the shape, form, product, material, of how it will be built.
Got any good ideas on how I could put it together?
(Please try to be as serious as possible, and keep to only posting if you know what you're talking about.)FYI, my father and step-father both work in the mechanical industry, so I have access to a lot of material.
Thanks!
(There may be rewards for very contributing people!)
