Velocities of colliding carts

1. Each team should connect the SmartWheel to their handheld computer. Refer to Technical Hints to see how to connect the SmartWheel.

2. Predict what the velocity graphs will look like if one cart is stationary and you roll the other cart against it. What will be the velocity for each cart before and after the collision? What will the velocity graph do just at the moment of collision? Draw your predictions in Notes on the handheld computer.

3. Start the software to record a velocity versus time graph.

4. Start recording. Push one cart toward the other and let them bounce. Be sure the bumpers are lined up.

5. Try this again several times. When you get a good run, save your data to the handheld.

6. Look at the velocity graphs for both teams. Were they what you predicted? How did the initial velocity of one cart compare with the final velocity of the other? Draw the velocity graph for each cart, and write in the velocity values. Record your drawingsthoughts in Notes on your handheld computer.