Springs

Springs are great for storing and absorbing energy. A typical spring is generally a tightly wound spiral or coil of metal. Springs can stretch when pulled and when there is no more force being exerted on them, they go back to their original position. Some springs are what is called "elastic," which means that they stretch bcause they are made of elastic. The input force on a spring is the force that the spring is pulled apart with. The output force of the spring is the spring's resistance to being pulled. The mechanical advantage of a spring is the output force didvided by the input force. There are springs in ballpoint pens, cars, and staplers.

There is a spring included in our machine. It is an elastic spring that is used to launch Lightning McQueen forward.

Above is an image of of the spring used in our project. Energy is stored in the spring until the car is released. Once the car is released, so is the energy.

Incline Plane

Wheel and Axle