The Buggy Lab

The Buggy Lab

Pre-Lab Observations

• Stays in straight line 
• Makes noise 
• Has lights flowers
• Wheels 
• Red 
• Forward only
• Keeps going 
• Two seats 

Objective

The objective of this experiment is to interpret the change in position vs time of the buggy with a graph. By following the simple procedure steps, we will be able to see if there is a pattern visible in the trials. We will be able to understand the concept of motion and velocity more clearly. good

• Collect and organize data of the car’s motion. 
• Create a position vs. time graph using data collected. 

Procedures 

• After carefully aligning the rulers after each other,  we measured how far the car is able to travel from 0 inches,  every 2 seconds. We marked the buggy's position with tape wherever the car was every 2 seconds. By doing so, the floor was filled with tape marks that were separated by roughly the same distance from each other. In the second trial, we changed the direction the car was going. We started the car from the endpoint of the first trial and repeated the process, but going backwards. 
• By marking the position of the buggy, we were able to record the constant increasing position of the car. This proved that the speed was always constant and we were more likely to find a pattern. 

Data 

Trial 1                                                 Trial 2

Time(sec)(x)	Position(in)(y)
2 sec	37 in
4 sec	83 in
6 sec	121 in
8 sec	152 in
10 sec	178.2 in
12 sec	208 in

Time(sec)(x)	Position(in)(y)
2 sec	208 in
4 sec	177 in
6 sec	151.7 in
8 sec	119 in
10 sec	86 in
12 sec	34.5 in

Data Analysis
Trial 1

y=16.75x+12.667

Position=(16.75in/sec)time + 12.667 inches
VM: As the time increases, the position increases consistently.   (time vs position)
Slope: For every 1 second the buggy's position increases by 16.75 inches.
Y int: When the position is 0 inches, the time is 0 seconds.

Trial 2 

y=-16.22x+244.19

Position=(-16.22in/sec)time+244.19 inches
VM: As the time increases, the position decreases consistently. (time vs position)
Slope: For every 1 second, the buggy's position decreases by 16.22 inches.
Y int: When the position is 208 inches, the time is 0 seconds.
excellent!

Conclusion:
Claims/Evidence

1. The speed of the buggy is never-changing, therefore based on the graphs, the distance between the positions are roughly the same. (Slopes are roughly the same) 
2. To compare two or more theses, you need to have at least one constant variable that will never change and another variable that is different. In this case, the speed and time were always the same, while the direction/position were different in trial 2. time wasn;t the same was it?  if time was same, how could position be different?
3. Based on the two graphs, no matter what the position or which direction the buggy is traveling, the slope is not going to be affected as long as the velocity remains the same. Although the first linear graph had slanted right line and the second graph had a slanted left line, the positions were roughly the same(just opposite bc of the direction). 
4. what dos y-intercept tell you?

Errors

• Something we could do better next time as a group includes paying more attention to our measurements and the objectives. In our first trial, we didn't make sure the all the rulers were measuring the same unit. Because some of our measurements were in inches and others in centimeters, our graph was off but we were able to catch our errors and fix them before it was too late. yikesAnother thing we could do is use other advanced tools to get more of exact measurements. 

After completing this experiment, I have concluded that physics includes a lot of hands-on activities, with graphs, trials, and experiments. This wasn't the most exciting experiment for me, but served as a good fundamental first step to the basic concepts of physics.  agreed.  It will get more involved and hopefully provide more challenge for you!

And remember to invite me again so I can answer in my work email.  Nice work!