Design #1 Diet Coke Bottle Car with Mentos

This design focus on focusing the force the chemical reaction between Diet Coat and Mentos . It used the CO₂ explosion as propulsion fuel. Axles and wheels would be attached to the Diet Coke bottle so that when the stream of CO₂ bubbles comes out the back the equal and opposite force( Newton's law of Energy) moves the car forward. Side supports would be added to balance the bottle and keep it from flipping over. It would also keep it in its maximum 2 tile path. A nozzle would be added to the bottle to concentrate the reaction. The Mentos would sit behind a magnetic panel which would be release either by releasing the magnet or by moving the panel. 

Diet Coke and Mentos

When given the project the first thing that went through my mind was Diet Coke and Mentos. The classic chemical reaction which results in a forceful stream of CO2 bubble. And then I though about Mythbusters and there many experiences trying to explain the chemical reaction and the reactive chemicals in both the Diet Coke  and Mentos. Below are a few links to videos of Mythbusters' experiments

Mythbusters CO2 test with different substances

Mythbusters Coke and Mentos Competition

Newton's Laws

What are Newton's Laws of Motion, Momentum and Energy??

Newton's Three Laws :

• Law of Motion: an object at rest will stay at rest and an object in motion will stay in motion unless an unbalanced force acts upon it
• Law of Momentum: the rate of change of momentum of an object is directly proportional to the resultant force acting on it 
• Law of Energy: every action has an equal and opposite reaction 

Here's the Challenge

Yesterday, my teacher handed out a project that my honors physical science class was to complete. The challenge he gave us was " Apply your knowledge of Newton's law of motion, momentum, and energy to design and construct a vehicle that will go as far as possible using an unbalanced force to create motion." 

So here are the RULES:

• - Construct a vehicle that can travel at least 3 tiles(each tile is 60 cm)*. Vehicle must stay within a 2-tile wide path
• - No FORWARD force may be applied to vehicle by the student (me)
• -Vehicle must be made of recycled/reused products. No pre-made vehicle parts( other than axles and wheels) 
• - Vehicle must travel using an unbalanced force to create motion 
• - Students are not allowed to help vehicle along the path 
• -Students may not use electricity/ fuel cells or manufactured containers of pressurized gas( i.e CO2). This is a land vehicle. All vehicles start from a level surface( no ramps or strings). All parts of vehicle must remain on vehicle, except fuel. 

*to get full credit, the vehicle must go at least 5 tiles( 300cm)