CO2 dragster

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 miniature racing cars which are rocket-powered by a carbon dioxide cartridge, pierced to start the release of the gas, and which race on a typically 65 foot track. They are frequently used to demonstrate mechanical principles such as mass, force, acceleration, or aerodynamics . 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 weight.^[1][2]

CO₂ cars are a part of engineering curriculae in diverse parts of the world such as New Zealand^[1] and the United States^[2]. 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.^[3][4] Competitions can be featured in local newspapers.^[5]. 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.

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

See also

• Pinewood Derby
• F1 In Schools

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Reichert, Richard; Hawley (2010). Reaching Boys, Teaching Boys: Strategies that Work -- and Why. Wiley & Sons. p. 6. ISBN 9780470532782. http://books.google.com/books?id=uBnsWbvJGhQC&pg=PA6#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 2010-08-19. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "What is C02 Racing?". Science of Speed. http://www.science-of-speed.com/science.asp?id=25. Retrieved 2010-08-19. 
3. ^ "Technology Student Association". DeWitt Middle School, Ithaca, NY. http://www.icsd.k12.ny.us/dewitt/teched/TSA_WhatIs0708.html. Retrieved 2010-08-19. 
4. ^ "High School Competitions". Reston, VA: Technology Student Association. http://www.tsaweb.org/High-School-Competitions. 
5. ^ "Students design speedy dragsters". TriCities.com. Thomson Reuters. December 18, 2008. http://www2.tricities.com/news/2008/dec/18/students_design_speedy_dragsters-ar-249920/.