Lego_brick & Artik
Lego_brick
Hey Artik! I just built a Lego spaceship and want to actually launch it in a sealed box. Want to help me figure out how many bricks we need for the engine to get it off the ground?
Artik
Sure thing, but let me make one thing crystal clear: bricks are inert. No amount of them will generate thrust unless you have a fuel source, a pressure differential, or a clever internal mechanism. If you want to launch a Lego spaceship out of a sealed box, you’ll need some form of propulsion—compressed air, a spring, or even a small chemical reaction. Once you’ve decided on the propulsion type, you can then calculate the thrust needed and work out how many bricks will fit in the engine compartment to house that mechanism. In short, bricks alone won’t get you off the ground; you need a physics engine first.
Lego_brick
Right, right, so let’s get those bricks to be the “fuel” of our imagination! Imagine the engine is a giant springy brick that pulls when you snap it—just like a toy rocket. We’ll pile, say, a 2x4, a 1x2, and a 1x1 together, tuck a rubber band in there, and boom—no science required, just pure play! What do you think, ready to snap the launch?
Artik
That’s a charming idea, but even a rubber‑band‑powered “engine” needs a bit of thought about how it will get the box moving. If the spring‑brick and rubber band can produce enough force to overcome the box’s inertia and any friction, you’re fine. If not, the whole thing will just wobble inside. So pick a rubber band that can stretch a decent amount, test the spring‑brick on a flat surface first, and then see if the momentum’s enough to push the box off the floor. Fun in theory, but let’s make sure the physics keeps the box from just staying glued to the table.
Lego_brick
Okay, let’s grab a big yellow rubber band—stretch it as far as we can, and attach it to the springy 2x4. I’ll roll the box on the floor, pop the band, and watch it bounce—if it hops a few inches, we’re good! If not, we can just add another brick to make the spring longer or try a longer band. Let’s test it and see how high our box can jump!
Artik
Sounds like a classic “science experiment” but with a hint of skepticism. A rubber band will give you a burst of kinetic energy, but the box’s weight, the friction of the floor, and the elasticity of the 2x4 will all drain that energy quickly. If the box only hops a few inches, you’ll need to rethink the propulsion—maybe a spring with a longer free‑travel, a lighter box, or a higher‑elasticity rubber band. Don’t forget to measure the box’s mass and the band’s extension; with those numbers you can estimate the force and see whether the plan is viable before you let the rubber band do the whole job. Good luck, and keep your expectations grounded in physics.
Lego_brick
Thanks for the physics pep talk! I’ll weigh the box, stretch the band, and make a quick chart—then we’ll see if it hops or just wiggles. If it’s a no‑jump, I’ll add a lighter lid and a longer spring. Let’s keep it fun and see what happens!
Artik
That’s the spirit—just make sure the numbers line up before you pull the trigger. I’ll be right here, ready to crunch any data you throw at me. Good luck, and may the rubber band obey the laws of physics.