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{{short description|Miniature car propelled by carbon dioxide}}
{{unreferenced|date=January 2008}}
⚫ {{DISPLAYTITLE:CO<sub>2</sub> dragster}}
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'''CO<sub>2</sub> dragsters''' are cars used as miniature ] which are propelled by a ] cartridge, pierced to start the release of the gas, and which race on a typically {{convert|60|ft|abbr=off}} track. They are frequently used to demonstrate mechanical principles such as ], ], ], and ]. Two hooks (eyelets or screw eyes) linked to a string (usually ] fishing line) on the bottom of the car prevent the vehicle from losing control during launch. In a race, a laser scanner records the speed of the car at the end of its run. Often, the dragster is carved out of ] because of its light weight and cheapness.<ref name="Reichert">{{cite book|title=Reaching Boys, Teaching Boys: Strategies that Work -- and Why|last1=Reichert|first1= Michael|last2=Hawley|first2=Richard|year=2010|publisher=]|page=6|isbn=978-0-470-53278-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uBnsWbvJGhQC&pg=PA6|accessdate=2010-08-19}}</ref><ref name="SOS">{{cite web|url=http://www.science-of-speed.com/science.asp?id=25|title=What is CO2 Racing?|publisher=Science of Speed|accessdate=2010-08-19}}</ref>
⚫ {{downsize|title=CO<sub>2</sub> dragster}}
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'''CO<sub>2</sub> dragsters''' are miniature ] racing with suspenders powered by a rocket launcher ] cartridge. They are frequently used for purposes like demonstrating mechanical principles. A set of two hooks (eyelets or screw eyes) linked to a string (usually monofilament fishing line)at the bottom of the car prevent the vehicle from losing control during launch. In a race, a laser scanner records the speed of the car at the end of its run. Often, the dragster is carved out of balsa wood because of its light qualities.


CO<sub>2</sub> cars are a part of engineering curricula in parts of the world such as Australia, New Zealand<ref name="Reichert"/> and the United States.<ref name="SOS"/><!-- list others here, PLEASE --> In the United States, classroom projects and competitions can operate under the aegis of the ] at middle school and high school levels.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=DeWitt Middle School, Ithaca, NY|title=Technology Student Association|accessdate=2010-08-19|url=http://www.icsd.k12.ny.us/dewitt/teched/TSA_WhatIs0708.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=High School Competitions|url=http://www.tsaweb.org/High-School-Competitions|publisher=Technology Student Association|location=Reston, VA
CO<sub>2</sub> cars are model dragsters designed and built by students that race aerodynamically to race against one another. Wooden dragsters are made from ] or ], and are designed, constructed, and shaped with plastic. Students start with a block of wood , A saw is used to shape the body into the design according to the student. Axles and wheels get the car moving down the drag strip. The most well known and common producer of these kits is Pitsco.
}}</ref> Competitions are sometimes featured in local newspapers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Students design speedy dragsters|date=December 18, 2008|work=TriCities.com|publisher=]|url=http://www2.tricities.com/news/2008/dec/18/students_design_speedy_dragsters-ar-249920/|access-date=August 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716094305/http://www2.tricities.com/news/2008/dec/18/students_design_speedy_dragsters-ar-249920/|archive-date=July 16, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Students learn about the forces of gravity, ], ], and the motion of air as a fluid. The projects mainly test the aerodynamic, mass and ] properties of a car. These forces can influence performance in a race, so it is vital to take them into account when building.


]
CO<sub>2</sub> Cars are a preferred favorite for engineering curricula worldwide. Students learn about the forces of gravity, ], ], and the motion of ] as a fluid. ] are also somewhat involved. The project mainly tests the aerodynamic properties of a student's car (see also ]).


==See also==
]
*]
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==References==
{{Reflist}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Co2 Dragster}}
==Dragster Parts and Assemblies==
⚫ ]
CO2 dragsters are a really fun activity for everyone!

*GT-R (Rear) Wheels
*GT-F (Front) Wheels
*Pitsco *Delrin (Front) Wheels*
** Delrin is a better quality plastic that Pitsco uses for its premium wheels. Delrin is pliable and a lot easier to work with and shape. Delrin also does not have any "gates" sticking from the wheels like most injection mold plastic wheels do.

==How the Metric 500 Works==

<gallery>
Image:Bellcastro Race 0001.jpg|Beginning .100 seconds into a CO<sub>2</sub> Dragster race. High Speed camera photo of two dragsters racing 65.5 feet in about 1.000 second.
Image:Preparation 2 0001.jpg|A student setting his dragster up for the CO<sub>2</sub> Car race.
Image:FirebirdIII Race 001 0001.jpg|High speed shot of a race about .750 seconds in.
</gallery>


Students first place the CO<sub>2</sub> Car on the filament line, and check to make sure cars are in good repair and are ready to race. CO<sub>2</sub> cartridges are inserted into the powerplants, and the cars are lined up behind the starting line. The starter boxes (the device that allows the cartridge to be punctured) is adhered down with velcro at the beginning of the starting mat. Dragsters may be placed anywhere in the starting area, so long as the front of the body (usually the nose) is behind the red line (Adding to this, a shorter car does not necessarily mean the car is a faster one). The starter boxes can be adjusted by loosening a lever 90 degrees to accommodate for the height of the dragster. Once the neck of the cartridge is lined up with the pin, the neck is fitted into a tube in the starter box. The lever is switched back up 90 degrees to indicate a racer is ready.

In TSA finals, professional staff will handle all CO<sub>2</sub> Cars, repairs (and final touches) must be attended to BEFORE entry. When both cars are ready, the central computer is on standby to launch the dragsters. The instructor should check everything for safety, and will order all racers and participants to step away from the track. The timer is activated (With the Impulse II System) and in 10 seconds both pins will puncture both CO<sub>2</sub> cars.
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Latest revision as of 20:09, 19 November 2024

Miniature car propelled by carbon dioxide
Rear view of a "rail"-style dragster, with external wheels. The hollow container for the carbon dioxide cartridge can be seen towards the rear of the car.

CO2 dragsters are cars used as miniature racing cars which are propelled by a carbon dioxide cartridge, pierced to start the release of the gas, and which race on a typically 60 feet (18 metres) track. They are frequently used to demonstrate mechanical principles such as mass, force, acceleration, and aerodynamics. Two hooks (eyelets or screw eyes) linked to a string (usually monofilament fishing line) on the bottom of the car prevent the vehicle from losing control during launch. In a race, a laser scanner records the speed of the car at the end of its run. Often, the dragster is carved out of balsa wood because of its light weight and cheapness.

CO2 cars are a part of engineering curricula in parts of the world such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States. In the United States, classroom projects and competitions can operate under the aegis of the Technology Student Association at middle school and high school levels. Competitions are sometimes featured in local newspapers. Students learn about the forces of gravity, drag, wind resistance, and the motion of air as a fluid. The projects mainly test the aerodynamic, mass and friction properties of a car. These forces can influence performance in a race, so it is vital to take them into account when building.

An unfinished "shell" dragster, with wheels enclosed within its body

See also

References

  1. ^ Reichert, Michael; Hawley, Richard (2010). Reaching Boys, Teaching Boys: Strategies that Work -- and Why. Wiley & Sons. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-470-53278-2. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  2. ^ "What is CO2 Racing?". Science of Speed. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  3. "Technology Student Association". DeWitt Middle School, Ithaca, NY. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  4. "High School Competitions". Reston, VA: Technology Student Association.
  5. "Students design speedy dragsters". TriCities.com. Thomson Reuters. December 18, 2008. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
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