Magnetic levitation technology has the
ability to considerably lower the cost of placing satellites in orbit. The
Canadian Space Agency is interested in hiring a Canadian firm to
design and build a launch track somewhere in Saskatchewan. To win this
engineering contract you must build and present a working prototype
launch track to a team of officials from the CSA.
The device will consist of an electromagnet
that will propel a small mass through a controlled path. There are no
restrictions on the final form of your design. In order to win you must
create a device that will propel a small vehicle into the air. The success
of your launch will be measured by calculating the ratio of the horizontal
distance travelled by the vehicle to the mass of the vehicle. The largest
calculated value of will win the contract.
Part A: Research
- Who was Doppler? When did he first discover the
Doppler effect? What was the significance of the discovery?
- View the simulation at www.pearsoned.ca/physics11.
Draw a diagram to summarize how wavelength and frequency are involved
in the Doppler effect.
- When was radar first discovered? What role did this
technology play in World War II?
- You and your team should develop a list of
technologies that utilize radar technology and/or the Doppler effect.
Write a one or two line summary for each type of technology.
- Once the whole group has created a suitable list of
technologies to investigate, break into smaller teams and begin
detailed research on the technology you are assigned.
- Address the following…
- State the function of the device or technology.
- Who is credited for the invention of the
technology.
- How does the technology make use of the Doppler
effect in performing its stated function?
- Provide a diagram to illustrate how frequency and
wavelength are involved in the operation of the device or
technology.
Part B: Testing and Inquiry
In order to gain a better understanding of what the
Doppler effect is develop a demonstration that involves the Doppler
effect. Remember the Doppler effect can be seen as using anything that
exhibits wave properties. (ex. water in a ripple tank, sound waves etc.)
Your demonstration could be a model that properly illustrates the effect
rather than a full working set-up.
Part C: Analyze and Reflect
Using your own criteria, consider the effects that
funding your technology would have on modern society. Remember that
Doppler Tech is looking for a new project to fund. Their money is limited
so you need to sell the merits of your device or technology.
Part D: Communicate
Summarize the results of your research and organize the
information into a poster. Your poster should be aimed at the research and
development department of Doppler Tech. You will be given 5 minutes to
highlight the important information on your poster. Remember you audience.
You want to explain the technology, but you also need to sell the research
and development department of the merits of funding your project.
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Part A: Research |
- Examine a conventional electric motor. Explain how the set up
of the coils and magnets within the motor create the observed
motion.
- What factors affect the strength of a magnetic field? How will
your design be affected by these factors?
- Examine the current information on NASA’s plan to build a
launch track and explain the physics behind the concept of a
linear induction motor. If information is hard to find on the
NASA project you may use information on magnetic trains or
roller coasters to elaborate on the concepts.
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Part B: Testing and Inquiry |
- Before you begin construction of your launch design you should
first build some prototype electromagnets and run some tests on
them. You should get some idea of the strength of the
electromagnet and how you might use them to launch your vehicle.
Do this by determining your own quantitative criteria for
describing the strength of your electromagnetic fields.
- When you have completed your preliminary tests on the
electromagnets, proceed with the construction of your launch
mechanism. Be sure to constantly confer with the CSA officials
as to the availability of materials for the project.
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Part C: Analyze and Reflect |
- What have you learned about creating electromagnetic fields?
- How strong a magnet were you able to construct?
- Were there problems within the lab that prevented you from
implementing your design ideas?
- What successes did you have during the design and construction
process?
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Part D: Communicate |
You will need to build and demonstrate your
prototype to the CSA design officials. Your demonstration should
include the following:
- a brief description of the physics behind your design (explain
how your prototype works)
- give some quantitative data on the forces created by your
magnets and the motion of your launch vehicle
- launch your vehicle and measure the horizontal distance
travelled by your vehicle
- calculate and report the ratio as described in the scenario
section of this task
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