Name ______Period____

Build Your Own Rube Goldberg Project

Purpose:

The purpose of the Rube Goldberg project is to apply what you learned of the 7 simple machines in creating complex machines and demonstrate how potential and kinetic energy are transferred.

Your task:

Design and build a Rube Goldberg machine to perform the task of squishing a grape.

Demonstrate an understanding of how simple machines can create complex machines.

Analyze the conversions of kinetic energy and potential energy.

Record your machine with video in one continuous clip in a Windows Media Player or Quicktime to show to the class on a flash drive or burn to a DVD.

Draw a detailed picture of your completed machine and answer analysis question.

ALL DRAWINGS, QUESTIONS, RUBRIC, AND VIDEO ARE DUE ON: ______

***Everyone must hand in their own drawing and question even if working in a group***

Criteria for building your Rube Goldberg Machine:

Your machine must include all 7 simple machines (lever (types 1, 2 and 3), incline plane, screw, wedge, wheel & axle, gears, and pulleys).

Your machine must have minimum running time of 20 seconds.

Your machine must start with a single action such as pressing a button, letting go of a marble, cutting a string, removing a barrier, etc. No additional human input after started.

Your machine must have a minimum of 9 connected steps/stages that do work.

What makes a good Rube Goldberg Machine?

* The machine works. A Rube Goldberg Machine is designed such that a single

action starts the machine running (pressing a button, letting go of a marble,

cutting a string, removing a barrier, etc.), and no other human actions are

required.

* It has clearly visible steps.

* Don’t use flammable or other dangerous chemicals. This violates the rules.

GET YOUR PARENTS PERMISSION BEFORE USING ANY OBJECT!

*Use common objects from around the house. You do not need to spend money on creating your machine.

Now it’s time to begin….

  • Will you work alone? With a partner? Three people per group is the MAXIMUM!
  • Where will you build the machine? Will it have a theme? What will it be named?
  • Who can video your machine? How? Will you put it on a DVD? Flashdrive?
  • When will you find time? Weekdays? Weekends? Can everyone in group make it?
  • What materials do you already have?
  • When will you have time to share ideas?
  • When will you start building the machine?

PLAN AHEAD, WORK EFFICIENTLY, COOPERATE, AND HAVE FUN!

Brainstorm: Organize your ideas below to help create your machine. Follow the example given.

Step/ Action / Describe what happens in each step/action sequence / Type(s) of
Machine(s) / Household object
Ex: / 1. Machine is started by marble rolling down ramp… / Incline plane / Hotwheels track
2. Marble hits dominos that fall toward edge of table… / levers / Dominos
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

Name ______Date ______Period _____

Rube Goldberg Machine Analysis and Conclusion

Step 1:Now that you built it, create a detailedblueprint/drawing of your machine. Each member

of the group must create their own to hand in. Label each stage/action with a letter.

Step 2: What is the name of your machine? ______

Step 3: Write a paragraph of how your machine works including each lettered step in order.

Step 4: Complete the chart below showing the types of simple machines used to build your Rube Goldberg machine.

Type of Simple Machine / Letter(s) in drawing of machine / What object represents the machine? (ex: wheelbarrow represents 2nd class lever) / What work is being done?
Levers:
1st class
2nd class
3rd class
Pulley:
Screw:
Wedge:
Incline Plane:
Wheel & Axle:
Gears:

Step 5: Question and Answer

1. a) What isenergy? ______
b) What happens to energy when one object does work on another object?

______

2. a) What iskinetic energy? ______

b) What object(s) in your Rube Goldberg machine have kinetic energy BEFORE you start it? List.

______

c) What object(s) in your Rube Goldberg machine have kinetic energy AFTER you start it? List.

______

______

3. Fill in the chart below showing how energy is transferred in your Rube Goldberg machine. Follow

the example.

Agent
Object doing the work / Receiver
Object be worked on / How is the energy transferred (being pushing, pulling, etc)? / What is the result of the energy transfer? / What letter does this represent in your drawing?
Ex: Marble / Button on fan / Marble falls off table, lands on fan, presses button. / Fan turns on and begins to spin. / F
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

4. The energy that is stored in an object due to its position or shape is called ______

5. List 3 objects below that demonstrate gravitational potential energy in your machine:

Object How/Why does it have GPE? Letter in drawing

a) ______

b) ______

c) ______

6. When the energy stored in the objects above is released it will turn into ______energy.

Match the forms of energy below:

A. Created by the random motion of the particles that

_____7. Sound Energy make up an object.

_____8. Thermal EnergyB. Created by moving electrons.

_____9. Chemical EnergyC. Created when the atoms of a compound rearrange.

_____10. Electrical EnergyD. Created by the vibration of electrically charged

Particles.

_____11. Nuclear Energy

E. Created by an object’s vibrations.

_____12. Light Energy

F. Created by the changes in the nucleus of an atom.

Complete the chart below.

Type of Energy / Is it potential (PE) or kinetic (KE) energy? / Give Example / Check those in your Rube Goldberg Machine
13. Nuclear Energy
14.Sound Energy
15. Light Energy
16. Thermal Energy
17. Chemical Energy
18. Electrical Energy

19. The Law of Conservation of Energy states that

______

______20. List three places in your Rube Goldberg machine where energy is converted into thermal energy

due to friction. See example.

Where energy is converted / How friction is created
How thermal energy is lost / Letter on
diagram
Ex. Marble falls into cup attached to
string moves pulley. / Friction is created as the string rolls over the pulley releasing thermal energy. / C

21. Why are all machines, including your Rube Goldberg machine, never100% efficient?

22. Describe a part of your Rube Goldberg machine that demonstrates Newton’s first law of motion.

Explain why?

23. Describe a part of your Rube Goldberg machine that demonstrates Newton’s second law of motion.

Explain why?

24. Describe a part of your Rube Goldberg machine that demonstrates Newton’s third law of motion.

Explain why?

Name ______Date ______Period ______

Partners: ______and ______

RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINE PROJECT RUBRIC

Total Points 10 / Self-Score / Teacher-Score
Drawing of Your Machine
  • Matches machine in video 100%
/ 2pts
  • Includes ALL parts and steps/stages
/ 2pts
  • Each stage labeled with a letter in ordered (see example)
/ 2pts
  • Each type of machine correctly labeled.
/ 3pts
  • Neat with NO cross-outs/smudges. Not ripped or torn. Drawing appropriate size.
/ 1pts

POINTS FOR DRAWING YOUR MACHINE:

Total: ______

Total Points 15 / Self-Score / Teacher-Score
Video of Your Machine
  • All partners are introduced in thevideo.
/ 3pts
  • Introduction shows how all stages will work.
/ 3pts
  • Excellent picture quality
/ 2pts
  • Each student takes turns in the group explaining the 9 simple machines as well as 8 energy conversions.
/ 7pts

VIDEO OF YOUR MACHINE:

Total: ______

Total Points 10 / Self-Score / Teacher-Score
Written description of your machine.
  • Paragraph form
/ 2pts
  • Each stage included
/ 3pts
  • Each stage labeled with a letter (see example)
/ 3pts
  • Written paragraph matches drawing 100%
/ 2pts

WRITTEN DESCRIBTION OF YOUR MACHINE:

Total: ______

Total Points50 / Self-Score / Teacher-Score
Design/Completion of your machine.
  • Includes at least one each of the 9 simple machines.
/ 18pts
  • Has a minimum of 9 connected steps/stages that do work.
/ 18pts
  • Runs with no additional human input once started. Task is accomplished.
/ 14pts

DESIGN & COMPLETION OF YOUR MACHINE:

Total: ______

Total Points15 / Self-Score / Teacher-Score
Analysis & Conclusion of your machine.
  • Neatly written or typed. No cross-outs, smudges, etc. Evident time taken to complete.
/ 5pts
  • All questions completely answered.
/ 5pts
  • Shows understanding of simple machines, energy, and the transfer of energy.
/ 5pts

ANALYSIS OF YOUR MACHINE:

Total: ______

BONUS POINTS:

  • WoW factor! Machine above and beyond all others +2

Total score out of 100:

Self: ______Teacher : ______