Rube Goldberg Machine

In my science class, we were asked to create a machine to complete a task through a variety of different types of energy.

Here is our finished video

Here is a drawn and written description of our machine.

Step 1 (A)

The fan is chemically powered through batteries. It provided the fan with enough energy to move it’s blades creating a wind force. That force then pushed the light ball off it’s pedestal causing it to roll down the slide. This energy quickly transitioned from chemical to the mechanical movements of the blade.

Step 2 (B)

The second step of this machine is the ball rolling down the carboard slope. After the initial push from the force of the fan, the ball is sent down due to gravitational energy and continues to roll due to this and mechanical energy. More of the mechanical energy can be seen once the ball leaves the slide and is rolling on the ground towards our next step.

Step 3 (C)

The third step is when the ball exits the cardboard slide and rolls across the ground. The ball then hits the slinky which is an example of elastic energy. It then bounces downwards and off the step hitting the elevated side of the seesaw.

Step 4 (D)

Step four, the other side of the teetertotter, which the barrel was resting on, is no lifted due to mechanical energy.

Step 5 (E/F)

That barrel that was sent slightly up now returns down and begins to roll down the cardboard ramp mechanically.

Step 6 (G/H)

At the end of the ramp, the barrel continues to roll for a short fraction of time before encountering the dominos. This mechanically initiates the dominos to fall in a downward motion, as a result of gravity, hitting all the dominos.

Step 7 (I)

Once the last domino hits the roll of tape, the roll of tape begins to move mechanically off the resting domino and gravity pulls it to the floor. There it continues to roll for a short distance before colliding into the already moving electric car which was resting on a slight pedestal.

Step 8 (J)

With a nudge, the car is then sent forward with battery power as an example of chemical energy. Along with chemical energy, the car uses mechanical energy to then drive away and pulling the string that is restricting the wrecking ball.

Step 9 (K)

This wrecking ball uses gravitational energy to bump into another string.

Step 10 (L)

Once the other string is hit with the wrecking ball, the wooden block is mechanically yanked from its prior position. Initially, it was holding up a golf ball weighted block but with its removal, the block could now fall due to gravitational energy.

Step 11 (M)

When the button is pressed on the piano it will play a song. This is a type of sound energy. When the button is pressed this displays our final goal. To find a better solution to playing the piano.

Here is a reflection I completed to document the learning skills we gained and the process.