Speedy Hot Wheels

During April, the Physics classes found a relationship between potential and kinetic energy by driving Hot Wheels down a ramp. Data was used to make a bar graph. The dependent variable, the distance the car traveled past the end of the ramp, was plotted on the y-axis (vertical). The position of the car on the ramp, the independent variable, was plotted on the x-axis (horizontal).

Students discovered that the higher a car was placed on the ramp, the farther the car would roll until it came to a stop. That's because the a car higher on the ramp has more potential energy (energy of position due to gravity) than a car placed lower on the ramp. Once the car is released, the potential energy changes to kinetic energy (energy of motion), which makes the car roll until friction causes it to stop.

There was keen competition for the best rides, but groups selected Hot Wheels from Mrs. Cureton's new car lot at random. Random, meaning that the first picker got one pick, as did others through the first round, then the last picker got to pick three cars, and pickers then went in backwards order, getting two picks apiece. All groups had three cars to test, before choosing the best one for the experiment. Some shrewd groups chose their slowest car, the reason being that they would not have to measure as much distance.

And in case anybody wants to make a note-to-self for future reference, it is NOT acceptable to roll a Hot Wheels down the ramp and up another group's ramp to see if it goes over the top. It will not, because you can't get more energy out of a system than you put into it. Neither is it acceptable to put your ramp up on a desk to see how far your Hot Wheel will fly. That will result in Mrs. Cureton revoking your Hot Wheels license, because it means she will have to operate a used car lot next year.

Special thanks to Mrs. Scandrett for loaning us her ramps.