The same factors influence the speed of a lab car or model car going down a ramp. For this contest, you will use some of the same principles that you have learned in science as you race your car down a ramp and apply motion concepts. The fastest car will be the one that reaches the highest maximum velocity going down the ramp. You will measure velocity with a computer-interfaced motion detector. In this contest, you will also have a little fun.
Explanation Remember that speed and velocity are rates.
They tell you how much distance is covered in a unit of time. Velocity differs from speed because velocity depends on direction, while speed does not. Stick Setting Up the Ramp Set up the ramp as shown in the figure below. The high end of the ramp should be 45 cm from the floor. Place a large book 1 m from the bottom end of the ramp.