2/16/12 - 6th Grade

Guys,

Today we looked at graphing distance over time for the entire class.  Each group plotted their points on the graph and we were able to see that although the car were similar some outperformed others.  Below is a graph of each group's car average distance and time over the three trials.

In class we discussed some reasons that some cars worked better and what could have affected the each car's performance.  Some suggestions were...

        - too much friction between the wheels

        - too much drag (or wind friction) on the car

        - poor construction of car - different size wheels on each side of the car

Some of the things we said could make our car's better were increasing the mass of the car because as we learned last week F = MA and if the mass increases, so will the acceleration and hopefully the car will go further.  Making a more aerodynamic car would be beneficial as well.

For homework you must do the three things listed below

- Find the average distance and time of the whole class data below 

- Graph the class average and your team's car average on one graph. Please draw a line to represent the speed of your car from the 0,0 mark to the points on the graph like I did in class. 

- Write down how your car did compared to the class's average and why you think it performed that way. Also include the modifications your team plans to make to your car and why.

On the homework site there is a PDF that is blank graph paper.  Have a good night and see you tomorrow.