======Rubber Band Powered Car======


<WRAP right box>
**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Categories:** {{$demo.categories}}
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**Alternative titles:** Elastic Energy Car
</WRAP>

====Summary====                   
{{$demo.summary}}



====Procedure====  
  - Build a car as shown in the links below.
  - Wind the rear axle to stretch the rubber band.  
  - Place the car on a flat surface and release. Watch it move forward as the rubber band unwinds.  




====Links==== 
How to make Rubber Band Powered CAR diy toy car - NewKey Hack: 
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Rubber Band Car STEM Project DIY Video Tutorial - STEAM Powered Family: 
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📄 Build a Rubber Band-Powered Car - Science Buddies: [[https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/rubber-band-car]]\\


====Variations====
  * Try different rubber bands (long, short, thick, thin) to see how distance and speed change.  
  * Test on different surfaces and compare results.  
  * Add grip to the wheels using rubber bands or glue beads around the edges.  
  * Compare front-wheel drive vs rear-wheel drive designs.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Do not over-stretch rubber bands to avoid snapping.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Where is potential energy stored in this car? (In the stretched rubber band.)  
  * How is the energy transformed as the car moves? (Elastic potential energy converts to kinetic energy of motion.)  
  * Why does adding traction to the wheels help? (It prevents slipping, allowing more energy to push the car forward.)  
  * What variables could you change to make the car go farther? (Rubber band size, wheel type, axle length, or surface friction.)