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Did you like the way your little car sped around? Could you figure out how to make it go straight?
Going Straight
The reason your car goes in circles is because the
two ends of the canister are different sizes. If you take the
straw out and just roll the canister, it will go in a circle.
The straw just helps it go faster.
To make the car go in a straight line, you need to make both ends the same size. You might try getting another film canister (ask at a film developing store if they could give you one). Ask an adult to drill or nail a hole in the top of the new canister. Take out the rubber band and make the car again but this time put the rubber band through the hole in the new lid before you put it through the bottom of the canister.
Another way is to use rubber bands or paper and tape to build up the bottom of the canister so it sticks out the same amount as the top.
Giant Canister
Cars
For giant canister cars, you'll need a large plastic
cup (the kind you get at gas stations and some fast food places)
and two lids. Make the car exactly the same way except put one
lid on the bottom of the cup and the other on the top.
copyright 2003, Center for Hands-On Learning