Edible Race Cars

Purpose: To design, construct, and race cars to maximize either their displacement, Δx,
or average velocity,
• All components of the race car must be materials that are edible for humans,
with the exception of 2 bamboo shish kabob skewers;
• All cars must have four separate wheels (two on one side and two on the
other side of one axle does not count).  Wheels or the wheel/axle must revolve and be
fixed below the vehicle;
• Race cars must move a minimum of 1 m in a forward direction from the
bottom of the launch ramp;
• The race car should be no larger than 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm.

Requirements for written portion:
• As you build your car and test it prior to the in-class race day, keep a written
record of any modifications you make to improve its performance. Include
what you tried and why it did or didn’t work well. Describe why you chose
each component in your final design and how it optimizes the performance of
your car.
• INCLUDE A PHOTO of your car and email it to marciarpowellATgmail.com or twitpic it to me.

• Look up and write down the definitions and/or equations for “displacement”
and “average velocity.” You will need to know these on race day to make
your measurements and do your calculations.
On race day:
• Your car will be launched from a ramp propped up to form a 30º angle with
the floor. A line is drawn crosswise 1.00 m above the bottom of the ramp. The
front end of the car is lined up with the edge of the marked line and released
from rest.
• Displacement is measured from the bottom of the ramp to the stopping point
of the furthest part of the car.).
• Time is measured with photogates for the first 1.00 m from the bottom of the
ramp, and for the total trial.
Data:
displacement from the end of the ramp to stopping point: Δx = ______________
time from end of ramp until the 1.00m mark: t = ______________
time from the end of the ramp to stopping t(total)=_____________

Calculations (show work!):
average velocity of car in the first 1.00 m:  = ______________
average deceleration value of your car in the total trip =____________ m/s/s

Lab Rubric for Grading will be developed in class