Mousetrap Physics Name(s):

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A simple snap-back mousetrap is an ingenious machine. With just a few parts
(a wooden base, a spring, a metal bar, and a trigger mechanism) it can do its
job quickly and efficiently. It is so simple and functional that it has created a
cliché: "to build a better mousetrap,” means to improve on the best, or reach
the heights of achievement. But it isn't just a figure of speech; people
continue trying to build a better mousetrap. There are already 4400
mousetrap patents issued by the Patent Office, and 400 people apply for new
patents every year! But only a couple dozen of those thousands of
mousetrap designs have ever made money, and the simple snap-back is still
selling strong more than a hundred years after it was patented in 1899. Not
only can this machine get rid of mice, it can teach us a lot about physics,
too!
When a mousetrap is set, the spring in the center is compressed, becoming a
source full of potential energy. This energy is being stored, not used, but
as soon as the trap is released, it is converted to kinetic energy (the
energy of motion) that propels the snapper arm forward.
A mousetrap makes use of a simple machine called a lever. There are
three different classes of levers. A first-class lever is like a teeter-
totter at the park. The pivot point is called the fulcrum, the person being
lifted is the load, and the person on the other end is the effort force. A
lever makes doing work easier. You can lift someone with a teeter-totter
much easier than if you tried to pick him or her up! Second- and third-class
levers have different arrangements of the components of a lever. The
fulcrum, or pivot point, is at one end, instead of in the middle. In a second-
class lever the effort force is at the other end, with the load in the middle. In
a third-class lever, the load is at the end and the effort force is between the
fulcrum and the load.
When you set the mousetrap, you are using a second-class lever. The load is
the arm of the spring that is being pushed down to compress the spring. The
effort force is your finger on the end of the snapper arm, and the fulcrum is
the pivot point in the middle of the trap. When the mousetrap is released,
however, it acts as a third-class lever. The snapper arm becomes the load,
and the spring arm becomes the effort force moving the load.
Of course, all that potential energy can be put to other uses besides getting
rid of mice. In the project below, you'll use a mousetrap as a power source
for a catapult!

Mousetrap Marshmallow Catapult

Get ready to launch marshmallows across the room with the power of a
mousetrap!
Note: Mousetraps are dangerous! If one snaps back on your hand it could
break a finger.
Materials:
 Wooden snap-back mousetrap
 2 long erasers
 Duct tape
 Strong rubber band
 2 popsicle sticks
 Plastic spoon

What to do:
1. With a pair of pliers, carefully remove any metal teeth or bait platforms from the
trap. Also take out any staples that are not connected to the spring.
2. Carefully pull back the snapper arm until it reaches the other end of the trap, and hold it
down firmly. Have a helper wrap the strong rubber band around the end of the snapper
until it holds it down to the base of the trap, preventing the trap from springing.
3. Use a loop of duct tape to attach one of the erasers to the base of the trap so its long
side is right next to the fulcrum (the spring in the middle of the trap).
4. Tape the second eraser on top of the first one, letting it hang over the fulcrum
slightly. Secure both erasers to the base with duct tape, then carefully remove the rubber
band and slowly let the snapper arm move up until it rests against the erasers.
5. Tape one of the popsicle sticks horizontally along the top of the snapper arm. Place the
second popsicle stick perpendicular over the first and tape it so it extends vertically
above the snapper arm.
6. Tape the spoon to the second stick. Make sure that the arm of the catapult will hold.
You may need to reinforce it with more duct tape.
7. To shoot the catapult, take any small soft object, such as a marshmallow, and then pull
back the arm, put the object in the spoon, and let go! Always be sure to hold down the
base of the catapult when you release the arm so the structure doesn't topple over.

What's Happening?
Newton's first law of motion states that objects in motion tend to remain in
motion, unless acted on by an outside force. When you released the catapult,
both the lever arm and the "ammunition" moved forward with energy from
the spring. When the lever arm hit the erasers, it came to a sudden stop. The
marshmallow, however, remained in motion until it hit something else or
until the force of gravity overcame its motion and brought it to the ground.
The same principle applies to driving in a car - both you and the car are
moving together, but if the car comes to a sudden stop (as in a collision),
your body will keep moving forward. This is why you should always wear a
seatbelt!

Conclusion:
1. Make a detailed diagram of your catapult below.
Label the following on your diagram:
a. the point of greatest kinetic energy
b. the point of greatest potential energy
c. where potential energy transforms to kinetic energy

Answer the following:

2.What form of energy is used in a catapult?

3. How does the catapult demonstrate the laws of motion?

1st law
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2nd law
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3rd law
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4. How did you increase the accuracy of your catapult?
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5. What kind of changes increased the distance the catapult launched the
marshmallow?
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6. Why did these changes increase the distance?
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7. Do a little math -
Your catapult is a simple machine, a lever. In moving a marshmallow your
catapult is doing work. Identify the class of lever your catapult falls in.
Calculate the work being done by your catapult and the mechanical
advantage of your machine.
a. My Catapult is a _________________ Class Lever
MA = Effort arm length / Resistance arm length
b. Length of effort arm _________________ cm.
c. Length of resistance arm ______________ cm.
d. Mechanical Advantage ______________
Work = Force x Distance
e. Force ________ N. Distance _________ m. Work _________