The sail car is one of the simplest car projects, and it provides a great opportunity to learn how wind resistance can be harnessed to propel vehicles.
Test the success of a variety of sails by placing the car in front of a fan, and measuring how far it travels!
Tools and Materials
Tips and Troubleshooting
If the car isn't going very far, then...
- Make sure there's no excessive friction that's hindering the wheels such as excess glue, loose tape, or the wheels pinched around the straw.
- Try making a bigger sail.
- Try making the front of the sail pointed or curved so it's more aerodynamic.
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