What is a Rube Goldberg Machine?
A Rube Goldberg machine is a machine that contains multiple complex steps in order to complete a simple task. Each step produces a domino effect in which each step causes the next one. The machine was named after American cartoonist Rube Goldberg. The most famous example of the Rube Goldberg machine is the "self-operating napkin".
The Task
My STEM group, Izzy, Maddie, Zach, and I, was given the task to construct a Rube Goldberg machine in 9 days. Our theme for the Rube Goldberg machine was Christmas. We will involve Christmas trees, Christmas lights, and a Christmas themed train in our project. The goal is to create an operable and functional Rube Goldberg machine that consists of at least 10 steps, 4 different energy transfers, and 5 unique simple machines.
Final Product
We were very satisfied with our final product. It consisted of 10 steps, with the final step being a star lowering onto a tree. On the board, I cut out and drilled on the Christmas tree. I also helped design the Christmas lights and figured out how to make the marble turn on the light switch. I calculated all the physics in the machine, such as velocity, mechanical advantage, and acceleration due to gravity. I created the 10 Step Slides on the Google Slide Presentation. The main features of our machine were the Christmas tree, the Christmas train, and the Christmas lights.
Rube Goldberg Presentation
10 Steps: 5, 6, 7
Construction Log: 9, 10, 11, 12
Blueprint: 13
Construction Log: 9, 10, 11, 12
Blueprint: 13
Major Physics Ideas in the Machine
Velocity (v) - The rate at which something travels. This is calculated by dividing distance by time. The unit is meters per second (m/s).
Example - One marble fell at a velocity of 0.58m/s.
Acceleration (a) - The rate at which something changes velocity. This is calculated by dividing velocity by time. The unit is meters per second squared (m/s^2).
Example - When the marbles fell, they would accelerate and increase their velocity.
Acceleration due to Gravity (g) - The rate at which something changes velocity due to gravity. This value is always 9.8m/s^2.
Example - Every object in the machine that would free fall would accelerate at 9.8m/s^2.
Force (F) - The push or pull on an object. This is calculated by multiplying mass by acceleration. The unit is newtons (N).
Example - The train pushed the domino down. It applied force.
Potential Energy (PE) - The amount of energy in an object at rest. This is calculated by multiplying mass, height, and acceleration. The unit is joules (J).
Example - The marble at the top plank had 0.2055 J of potential energy.
Kinetic Energy (KE) - The amount of energy in an object in motion. This is calculated by multiplying half of the mass to the velocity squared (1/2mv^2). The unit is joules (J).
Example - When the domino hit the marble and fell, the marble fell with 0.0032 J of kinetic energy.
Energy Transfer - The transition from one type of energy to another.
Example - When the marble at rest begins moving it is a potential to kinetic energy transfer.
Mechanical Advantage - There are two types of mechanical advantage: ideal and real. Ideal is how much further you push using a tool, and real is how much easier (less Force) a tool makes something. This has no unit since it's a ratio.
Example - The tiled lever had an ideal mechanical advantage of 2.923.
Simple Machine - A basic device that makes an objective easier. There are 6 types: lever, wedge, screw, wheel and axle, pulley, and inclined plane.
Example - To lower the star onto the tree, a marble had to fall into a cup on a pulley.
Example - One marble fell at a velocity of 0.58m/s.
Acceleration (a) - The rate at which something changes velocity. This is calculated by dividing velocity by time. The unit is meters per second squared (m/s^2).
Example - When the marbles fell, they would accelerate and increase their velocity.
Acceleration due to Gravity (g) - The rate at which something changes velocity due to gravity. This value is always 9.8m/s^2.
Example - Every object in the machine that would free fall would accelerate at 9.8m/s^2.
Force (F) - The push or pull on an object. This is calculated by multiplying mass by acceleration. The unit is newtons (N).
Example - The train pushed the domino down. It applied force.
Potential Energy (PE) - The amount of energy in an object at rest. This is calculated by multiplying mass, height, and acceleration. The unit is joules (J).
Example - The marble at the top plank had 0.2055 J of potential energy.
Kinetic Energy (KE) - The amount of energy in an object in motion. This is calculated by multiplying half of the mass to the velocity squared (1/2mv^2). The unit is joules (J).
Example - When the domino hit the marble and fell, the marble fell with 0.0032 J of kinetic energy.
Energy Transfer - The transition from one type of energy to another.
Example - When the marble at rest begins moving it is a potential to kinetic energy transfer.
Mechanical Advantage - There are two types of mechanical advantage: ideal and real. Ideal is how much further you push using a tool, and real is how much easier (less Force) a tool makes something. This has no unit since it's a ratio.
Example - The tiled lever had an ideal mechanical advantage of 2.923.
Simple Machine - A basic device that makes an objective easier. There are 6 types: lever, wedge, screw, wheel and axle, pulley, and inclined plane.
Example - To lower the star onto the tree, a marble had to fall into a cup on a pulley.
Video of Our Rube Goldberg Machine: Winter Wonderland
Reflection
Overall, I was very pleased with my contribution and participation to the project. My strengths in the project were my problem solving and physics calculating skills. During the construction of the machine, we ran into several problems. Our largest problem was encountered early on. Our original plan was to have a domino hit two marbles that fall down two specific ramps. We also had to somehow incorporate a lever into this. The solution I ended up thinking of was having one marble continue to roll down ramps, but it'll hit the lever and cause another marble to become loose and fall. This means that we simplified our machine without losing any steps. My other skill was being able to calculate all the physics. I was able to find and calculate needed measurements, such as the velocity and kinetic energy of moving marbles, the ideal mechanical advantages of ramps, and the efficiency of the pulley.
However, there were a couple places that I could improve on. I could improve on my physical contribution with tools and also my inclusion of other team members. Early on in the project, I didn't use the drill at all. It was only later when I started drilling, and even then I rarely used it. I'm hoping to use it more in future projects where it's needed. I also struggled to cooperate with all my teammates. During the project, I didn't coordinate too well with a couple of my teammates, and wished I did more. It would've increased my group's efficiency.
However, despite some faults, I am still pleased with the quality of my participation to the group.
However, there were a couple places that I could improve on. I could improve on my physical contribution with tools and also my inclusion of other team members. Early on in the project, I didn't use the drill at all. It was only later when I started drilling, and even then I rarely used it. I'm hoping to use it more in future projects where it's needed. I also struggled to cooperate with all my teammates. During the project, I didn't coordinate too well with a couple of my teammates, and wished I did more. It would've increased my group's efficiency.
However, despite some faults, I am still pleased with the quality of my participation to the group.