Rolling to a stop
Using the ramp to initiate motion of the cart, design a method to slow down the cart and bring it to a stop in exactly 5 seconds as it rolls across a rug or another rough surface. What is your method? Explain your design in Notes on your handheld computer.
What will the position versus time graph look like? Sketch the graph in Notes on your handheld computer. Share your method with other members of your group.
Connect the SmartWheel to your handheld computer. Refer to Technical Hints to see how to connect the cables.
Now try your method out. Start the software and observe the position versus time graph as you roll the cart down the ramp. Be sure to drape the wire to the SmartWheel so that the cart rolls freely. Observe how the acrobat responded during the motion.
Save your data to the handheld.
Look at your position versus time graph. How do you know that your cart slowed down? Did it slow down at the same rate for the entire 5 seconds? If not, when and why did the rate change? Explain your reasoning in Notes on your handheld computer.
