FINAL INVESTIGATION QUESTION
How does road surface affect the mean stopping distance of a toy car when ramp height and release point are kept fixed?
Our prediction: the car would stop at 90 cm (0.90 m).
LAHORE AMERICAN SCHOOL · GENERAL PHYSICS
Group: BTB – Beat the Brakes · Supervisor: Mr. Mostafa Allam
Our model.
Our final evidence.
Motion Project Showcase · Monday, October 12, 2026
What our trials can tell us
All nine trials reached the road end before stopping naturally. These values are road-limited recorded travel distances, not valid natural stopping distances.
The surface means below preserve the values we recorded. They cannot reliably rank surfaces by natural stopping distance or confirm our 90 cm prediction.
A fair test
- Independent variable: flat-road surface — smooth cardboard, felt or sandpaper.
- Intended dependent variable: natural stopping distance on the flat road.
- Fixed ramp height: 25 cm.
- Controlled: same car, release point, ramp height and release without a push.
- Measuring reference: front wheels; distance from the ramp exit.
- Repeat: three trials for each surface.
ALL NINE REPORTED MEASUREMENTS
Recorded travel distances
| Surface | Trial 1 (cm) | Trial 2 (cm) | Trial 3 (cm) | Mean (cm) | Mean (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth cardboard | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100.00 | 1.000 |
| Felt | 100 | 95 | 98 | 97.67 | 0.977 |
| Sandpaper | 85 | 90 | 95 | 90.00 | 0.900 |
Mean = (Trial 1 + Trial 2 + Trial 3) ÷ 3. Convert cm to m by dividing by 100. Calculations use the original values before rounding.
- Smooth cardboard: (100 + 100 + 100) ÷ 3 = 100.00 cm = 1.000 m.
- Felt: (100 + 95 + 98) ÷ 3 = 97.67 cm = 0.977 m.
- Sandpaper: (85 + 90 + 95) ÷ 3 = 90.00 cm = 0.900 m.
Mean recorded distance by surface
Zero-based vertical axis · metres · three trials per surface · fixed 25 cm ramp
These bars represent road-limited recorded travel, not mean natural stopping distance.
Download graph image (SVG) →Our conclusion
Recorded means were 100 cm on smooth cardboard, 97.67 cm on felt and 90 cm on sandpaper. Because every car reached the road end, the investigation did not establish natural stopping distances. The sandpaper mean matching our prediction does not confirm it: the car was still stopped by the road end.
Our improvement
Make the road longer so the car can stop naturally. Repeat three trials per surface using one fixed ramp height and release point. If a longer road is impossible, choose a lower fixed height for a completely new set of trials.
No other unexpected problems were reported. The road-end limit is the main issue to resolve.
THE ACTUAL GROUP-BUILT PROJECT
Our model gallery
Photos of our physical model with blurred room backgrounds.
25-second working demonstration
This clip shows the physical model working. It is a road-end-limited demonstration, not evidence of a natural stopping trial.
Download the 25-second video →EVERY MEMBER PARTICIPATES
Names and speaking roles
Mohammad Mustafa Hussain Chattha
Introduction, final question and our prediction
Aisha Shariq Shaffi
Variables and fair testing
Usman Anjum Jajja
Model demonstration and safety
Nivyan Asif Ali
Data, mean calculations and graph
Ibrahim Bilal Haye
Physics, conclusion, improvements and website
READY TO PRINT & REHEARSE
Our final materials
Final A2 posterDownload PDF →Data and calculationsDownload PDF →Final labeled graphDownload PDF →Scripts and showcase packDownload PDF →
The poster includes the school name and logo, General Physics, group name, all five full names, supervisor, question, variables, prediction, data, graph and honest conclusion.
What still needs to happen
- Experiment: extend the road and collect natural stopping trials, or explain the current limitation to Mr. Allam.
- Display: print and mount the final poster, then photograph it and the completed data/graph display.
- Speaking: all five members rehearse their roles and prepare to answer questions.
- Submission: one student submits the files via Google Classroom or email. Publishing this page does not submit the assignment.
- Monday: bring the complete physical model and poster to class.
The teacher's stated deadline was Sunday, October 11 at 3:00 PM. An extension request is not a confirmed approval.
Try the idea yourself.
Open the simulation →Record new experiments →The game uses illustrative physics; it is separate from our measured evidence.