What is the function of the metal baffle in the car experiment?
2 Answers
The initial baffle provides an initial velocity, while the final baffle prevents damage. Here are some precautions regarding car driving: Cold car warm-up: Proper warm-up helps the engine oil form an 'oil film' between engine components, thereby reducing component wear. Timely gear shifting: When driving a manual transmission vehicle during the break-in period, shift gears promptly and appropriately, avoiding incorrect behaviors such as high gear with low RPM or low gear with high RPM, and do not use a single gear for an extended period. Timely maintenance: Simply follow the manufacturer's recommendations in the vehicle manual, and after reaching a certain mileage or time, promptly inspect and maintain the vehicle, including changing the engine oil and oil filter, and conduct a comprehensive inspection of the chassis system. Avoid emergency braking: Emergency braking not only impacts the braking system during the break-in period but also increases the shock load on the vehicle's chassis and engine.
The metal baffle serves two main purposes in the experiment. On one hand, it effectively prevents the car from sliding off the track or table, providing protection to avoid damage from falling or causing accidental injuries. Especially when our operation is not yet skilled, the car can easily go out of control at high speeds, and the baffle acts like a bumper to block its path. On the other hand, during collision experiments, the smooth metal baffle allows the car to rebound, enabling the measurement of rebound speed or changes in kinetic energy. Last time in our lab, we used an aluminum baffle because its surface is hard and not prone to deformation. However, it's important to ensure the baffle is securely fixed; otherwise, if it gets knocked askew, the experimental data becomes invalid. After the experiment, I also need to clean off any oil stains and dust from its surface, as uneven friction could affect the next use.
