Mouse Trap Chain Reaction Building Plans

Supply List and Cost

(All supplies were purchased at Lowe's with the exception of the Ping
Pong balls which were purchased at Wal-Mart. Substitutions can be made.
Put together a request and ask Lowe's to donate the supplies.)

  --------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- --------------
  **Description**                         **ISBN \#** **Number    **Unit Cost**
                                                      Needed**    

  Victor Pre-Baited Mouse Traps (pkg of   72868 13035 25 packages \$0.99
  2)                                                              

  10-24 x 9/32 T-Nuts Brad Hole (Qty: 2)  08236 70929 20 packages \$1.15

  10-24 x 3/8 Round Slotted/Phillips      08236 68259 4 packages  \$0.98
  Screws with Nut Zinc (12 pcs)                                   

  #10 Flat Washers SAE-Zinc (24 pcs)      08236 59000 1 package   \$0.98

  Non-Removable Pin Hinge B1090 (pkg of   22788 50256 5 packages  \$2.98
  2)                                                              

  Acrylic Sheet (plexiglass) .220" 24" x  74507 64141 1 sheet     \$39.48
  48"                                                             

  Acrylic Sheet (plexiglass) .220" 18" x  74507 99308 4 sheets    \$17.98
  24"                                                             

  Smiley Face Ping Pong Balls (pkg of 6)  44736 19089 17 packages \$1.48

  **TOTAL COST (tax not included)**                               **\$204.11**
  --------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- --------------

# Tools Required for Build and Assembly

-   Screwdriver

-   Table Saw

-   Drill with regular and masonry drill bits

# Directions for Build and Assembly

1.  Plexiglass must be cut first. Using table saw, even out the edges of
    the 18" x 24" pieces as they often don't have the same dimensions.
    Usually the width of 24" is fine but the 18" side generally needs to
    be evened out. This can most easily be done by stacking the pieces
    with one side even and running the other side through the saw to be
    sure they have the same dimensions.

2.  Next, on the same pieces, cut all eight of the 18" edges so they
    have a 45 edge and will fit together at each corner at a 90 angle.

3.  Now take the 2' x 4' piece and cut a piece that is 23.5" x 23.5".
    This will be your bottom piece. The remainder of the sheet will
    serve as your top piece.

4.  Now using your hinges as guides drill holes in the two outside holes
    big enough to fit the T‑nuts in the eight 18" sides of the
    plexiglass. Hold two sides up making a corner with the 45º cuts you
    made. I placed the hinges about 3" from each edge and two per
    corner. It is easiest to hold the hinges in place and mark the two
    outside holes with a pencil or marker and then drill them out. The
    hinge should be oriented so it will be able to close all the way if
    you fold the two pieces 270º. They will come together flat. That
    means the hinge pin is not touching the corner but rather sticking
    out. Make the holes just big enough so the T-nuts will fit in them.
    Be sure to mark each side piece near the corner with A, B, C, and D
    so you know which corners fit together.

5.  Now pick a side to be the back of your box and again about three
    inches in from the edge. Hold the hinge in place on the top and on
    the side and mark and drill the two holes.

6.  Now drill a hole in the middle of the top with a masonry bit that is
    just big enough to fit a ping pong through.

7.  Take the protective plastic wrap off each piece of the box. You can
    leave it on the bottom piece if you wish.

8.  Check to see if the T-nuts will fit in the hinges easily. You may
    need to use a drill bit just a shade larger than the holes and open
    them up just a bit.

9.  Attach two of the side pieces together using the T-nuts, screws and
    hinges, placing a washer on before each screw. Repeat with the other
    two sides. These will be the ones you do not take off when
    disassembling for storage. Be sure the hinges are oriented so it
    will be able to close all the way if you fold the two pieces 270º.
    They should come together flat.

10. Attach the remaining two corners together using the T-nuts, screws
    and hinges. No washers are necessary. These are the two corners you
    will take apart when you are disassembling and storing the device.

11. Now attach the lid using the remaining two hinges and T-nuts and
    screws. Do place washers on these to make sure they are snug when
    tightened.

12. Place the bottom piece in the bottom of the box.

13. Now load your mousetraps, place two ping pong balls on each
    "flipper" diagonal to each other and then close the lid. Flick in
    your thermalized ping pong ball "neutron" and watch the chain
    reaction.

**Hints:** Do not take the plastic wrap off the plexiglass until you are
completely done drilling holes. Also, it is not uncommon to see the
plexiglass crack when drilling so close to the edges. While this is not
ideal, it does not mean that piece will need to be replaced. Make it
work.

Modify and put this letter on your school letterhead to ask for
supplies.

To **(try to find a name for here)** Lowe's Assistant Manager: **Date**

I would like to request a donation. The supplies requested will be used
to demonstrate the dramatic effect of a chain reaction by making a Mouse
Trap Atomic Bomb. To accomplish this, I need to build a plexiglass box
with a hinged lid, put 50 loaded mousetraps in the bottom of the box
each with two ping pong balls sitting on them and then drop a single
ping pong ball through a hole in the top of the box to start the chain
reaction. The ping pong balls represent the neutrons in a nuclear chain
reaction that continue to cause reactions at an increasing rate until
the reaction is complete (all the mousetraps have been sprung).

This demonstration tool will not only be used **(here discuss which
classes and be sure to mention it will be a demonstration and lab tool
used for many years. Try to come up with an estimate of how many
students will see it over the years as that is usually an impressive
number.)**

Here are the supplies:

  ------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----------
  **Description**                                   **ISBN     **Number
                                                    \#**       Needed**

  Victor Pre-Baited Mouse Traps (pkg of 2)          72868      25
                                                    13035      packages

  10-24 x 9/32 T-Nuts Brad Hole (Qty: 2)            08236      20
                                                    70929      packages

  10-24 x 3/8 Round Slotted/Phillips Screws with    08236      4 packages
  Nut Zinc (12 pcs)                                 68259      

  #10 Flat Washers SAE-Zinc (24 pcs)                08236      1 package
                                                    59000      

  Non-Removable Pin Hinge B1090 (pkg of 2)          22788      5 packages
                                                    50256      

  Acrylic Sheet (plexiglass) .220" 24" x 48"        74507      1 sheet
                                                    64141      

  Acrylic Sheet (plexiglass) .220" 18" x 24"        74507      4 sheets
                                                    99308      
  ------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----------

The students and I would absolutely appreciate your help in this
endeavor and hope you see the value of supporting local education. I
would be sure to recognize your contribution any time the Mouse Trap
Atomic Bomb is used this year and in the future. Thank you in advance! I
look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

(Put your own info in. I have put mine here so you can contact me if you
have questions.)

**DaNel L Hogan**

**Kuna High School Physics Teacher**

**637 E Deer Flat Road**

**Kuna, ID 83634**

**nagoh_lenad@hotmail.com**