Mini Rube Discovery Lab

Lab Group Members: Date:

MINI RUBE DISCOVERY LAB

Objective: Preparation for the Rube Goldberg Final Project

Materials: textbook (for research), Newton’s cradle, mousetrap, materials to build frame (plastic rods, dowels, pruning shears, screws) dominos, string, mass, rubber bands, painter’s tape, Rube Goldberg Project description in lab manual.

PART ONE: BUILD THE MINI RUBE

Constuct the “mini” Rube Goldberg apparatus below, to specifications. The ball must lose exactly one meter of height when it drops.

Successful completion of Mini Rube apparatus:
Instructor’s signature: ______

PART 2: MINI RUBE ANALYSIS

Refer to the Rube Goldberg description in the lab manual for the core concepts. Analyze each step in the Mini Rube fill in the table with your observations and explanations. This will require research using your text to research some of the concepts we haven’t covered yet!

Name: Date:

PART 3: DESIGN YOUR OWN MINI-RUBE

1. Having built and analyzed a simple Rube Goldberg machine, each member of the group will design and analyze your own contraption. Your design must include at least 4 steps. Draw your design on a clean, unlined, unripped piece of paper, using a ruler for straight lines. Use landscape orientation. Label steps. If you are looking for ideas, search for “Rube Goldberg” on YouTube or other video sites.

2. Fill in the analysis table, below for your Mini Rube.

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