Physics Project: Electric (Mini) Motor Boat
I am doing a science project and I would like to hear your ideas. We have to build a boat powered by a standard "hobby sized" battery motor. This is a miniature, and will be racing a small (straight) track. I don't know much about boats. For any of you that know about boats or aerodynamics, I'd like your opinions on shape and material that would make a fast boat. Thanks in advance for your feedback.
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Dec 9, 2009. 7:09 PMguyfrom7up
says:
make it as long and thin as possible. Long gives it more volume. More volume makes it less dense which makes it float higher in the water. Thin gives it less Drag. Long also makes it go straighter.
Are you given the motor or can u choose your own?
Are you given the motor or can u choose your own?
Jan 10, 2010. 12:21 PMbassclarinet23 (author)
says:
Dec 29, 2009. 7:13 PMbassclarinet23 (author)
says:
Thanks for your input! I decided on an electric catamaran. I'll post photos when it's done.
Dec 10, 2009. 5:07 PMbassclarinet23 (author)
says:
Thanks! We can choose any motor, but we are not allowed to have any more voltage than 9V.
Long is better because displacement hulls sit in a wave trough caused by the bows movement, as the boats speed increased the wave length increases, eventually it can exceed the length of the boat such that the boat now has to travel "uphill" in its own wave trough. In reality the "hull speed" is much lower than this and can be calced as 1.34 * sqrt(lwl) lwl= length water line.
long story short, longer=better ;-)
long story short, longer=better ;-)
Jan 10, 2010. 12:21 PMbassclarinet23 (author)
says:
Dec 29, 2009. 7:13 PMbassclarinet23 (author)
says:
Thanks for your input! I decided on an electric catamaran. I'll post photos when it's done.
Dec 10, 2009. 12:51 PMbassclarinet23 (author)
says:
Should it be skinny or wide? And is it better to have a long (big) boat (for momentum) or a smaller one for acceleration?
Assuming the power is constant then large momentum is bad
Long and skinny is best for a boat.
Long and skinny is best for a boat.
Dec 10, 2009. 5:06 PMbassclarinet23 (author)
says:
Okay, thanks! So as skinny as possible. Should both ends (front and back) be pointed, or just the front.
Dec 10, 2009. 5:12 PMguyfrom7up
says:
both should be pointed, this will create a more laminar flow (good) and not a turbulant flow (turbulance is bad).
so pretty much you want to make like a canoe :P
so pretty much you want to make like a canoe :P
Dec 10, 2009. 8:01 PMbassclarinet23 (author)
says:
That's what I was thinking. Thanks a ton! I'll try to post pictures of the finished product.
Dec 9, 2009. 8:03 PMbassclarinet23 (author)
says:
Thanks. I can choose my own, but the type of better used to power it is limited (to a 9V). What would you recommend?
1. It has to float.
2. If not, you have a rock or a submarine.
There are many ways to make a racing boat, you have to look at shape, method of propulsion - water jet - fan - prop, weight of the boat, rudder/keel design, balsa wood is best for model boats or styrofoam carved with a hot knife. Good luck.
2. If not, you have a rock or a submarine.
There are many ways to make a racing boat, you have to look at shape, method of propulsion - water jet - fan - prop, weight of the boat, rudder/keel design, balsa wood is best for model boats or styrofoam carved with a hot knife. Good luck.
Jan 10, 2010. 12:20 PMbassclarinet23 (author)
says:
Dec 9, 2009. 8:02 PMbassclarinet23 (author)
says:
Okay, thanks. Where can one acquire balsa wood?
Most hobby shops (r/c planes) or some craft stores will have balsa wood. Paint with varnish to keep it waterproof. You could actually just get pieces of plastic from bottles/packaging to make your basic shape and shoot a can of spray expanding foam insulation in the form to make your boat.
Dec 29, 2009. 7:13 PMbassclarinet23 (author)
says:
Thanks for your input! I decided on an electric catamaran. I'll post photos when it's done.
Dec 10, 2009. 8:02 PMbassclarinet23 (author)
says:
It has to be a battery, with no more power than a 9V, I believe.
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