Mousetrap car

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A mousetrap car designed for a distance competition
A mousetrap car designed for a distance competition

A mousetrap car is a small vehicle made using various materials and having the only form of power being from a single, or double mousetrap. Other modifications include using a rat trap, for added power.

Mousetrap cars may be used in physics or other physical science classes to help students build problem-solving skills, develop spatial awareness, budget time, and cooperative behavior.

[edit] Competition objectives

One common competition is to create a mousetrap car that functions with a single mousetrap. The winning car is the one which travels over a distance of five meters in the least amount of time. include making the longest running mousetrap car.

[edit] Design

The general style for a mousetrap car varies, but most people choose a simple four-wheeled car. However two or three wheels work too. This car usually has an axle that has string wrapped around it, and the string is attached to a rod that extends the mousetrap.

Three wheeled cars usually exist in the tricycle shape.