Speed
Speed tells us how much distance an object covers per unit time. Average speed = distance ÷ elapsed time.
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Watch the car move from one position to another.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE STOP
Motion you can see.
Use these short demonstrations to connect your observations to speed, resistance, and deceleration.
Resistance and friction
Wheel, axle and surface resistance remove mechanical energy. Texture and deformation can affect how freely a toy car rolls.
The toy car has no active brake mechanism.
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Deceleration
When the car slows, its acceleration points against its motion. In the game, speed decreases steadily until it reaches zero.
Starting speed and stopping distance
In a constant-deceleration model, d = v² / (2a). If speed doubles while deceleration stays the same, stopping distance becomes four times as large.
Relative model distances; actual kit measurements may differ.
Ramp height and energy
Raising the car increases its gravitational potential energy. Some becomes motion; some is transferred through wheel rotation and resistance.
Test a ramp-height comparison →