Dominique Trinh's 39-245 Home Page

Project 1

Toy #1

Projectile Battleship


Description: This toy uses the physical concept of projectile motion to engage children in a game of battleship. Rather than guessing at the location of the target, the user can visiably see the target and will attempt to hit the target by use of a projectile. The Projectile, a marble, will be launched off a slide whos angle and direction can be controled my the user. By adjusting these values and making multiple attempts, the user can then sucessfully hit the opponents target and win the game.
Principal: Projectile Motion
Usability: This simple toy would not be costly to manufacture. Besides the control adjustment mechanism, there isn't anything plastics couldn't create. Because of the technical nature of the game, it wouldn't be recomended for small children. It would not be a fragile toy, but it does have multiple parts that cannot be lost. Care must be taken not to loes the parts and not just the projectile other than for intended purposes.


Toy #2

Boomer-can


Description: This toy is a transparent cylinder that will automatically return to the user when it is physically rolled away from the user. The child rolls it away from then, then it automatically rolls itself back. How cool! By storing energy in rubberbands when the user rolls the cyliner forward, the rubberbands return the energy and rolls the cylinder back.
Principal: Kenetic and Potential Energy
Usability: The construction of the toy using transparent parts will let the user understand the internal workings on what makes this toy work. There are no expensilve parts and nothing to break. Since the internals are also sealed, there will be no safety issues either. Its very simple and only small children could be entertained for a length of time with it, yet it is very effective at showing energy principals.


Toy #3

Unteather Ball


Description: This is a ball with a string connected to it allowing the user to fling the ball to hit designated targets. Rings of different sizes would be placed on the other side of the room as the objective to fling the ball through. The size and difficulty of the ring will determine the number of points scored for the user. Technique will be required in determining how long to mkae the string, by holding position on the string, and when to release the string.
Principal: Centifugal force
Usability: Ball on string, and targets. NOT difficult to create. or damage. Care must be taken when flinging the ball and string for it can acheive high velocities. Humans should never be the target and descretion must be used in not attemping anything...stupid. Ages 7+ only.