Weekly Update 12/8-12/11

12/8
Today, my partner and I went into the shop room to experiment with an air compression tank and nozzle to find out how much pressure is required to move each type of ball in the competition. Alas, due to a communication error, I did not bring in the necessary types of balls to test. However, I did have a tennis ball in my car and was able to use that as a substitution. By using this ball and my prowess in mathematics, I was able to calculate the necessary air pressure needed to use the other types of balls.

12/11
While I was out, my partner met with Ms. Green after she attended a meeting about the Technology Dare event. In this meeting, My partner was able to discern some new ideas of what works and what does not in the area of our project.Meanwhile, my partner and I went to the shop again to continue testing with the air compressor and nozzle, this time armed with the necessary balls to test with. The nozzle had an opening of about 1/8 inch to allow air through. With such a focused force, it only took 25 PSI to move the cueball. However, we removed the convergent nozzle so that there was an opening with a diameter of about 1/3 inch. Even after we ratcheted up the PSI to 70, we were unable to move the cueball. Initially, I had designed my nozzle to be 1-1/4” in diameter. However, now that we were able to test, it has become abundantly clear that this must be adjusted somewhat.