®
V a r i a b l e S p e e d M o t o r i z e d C a r t
ME-9781
4
Suggested Activities
Relative Motion
Use a piece of paper on the floor to simulate the motion of a
river, and simulate the relative motion of a boat crossing the
river by moving the piece of paper while the cart is traveling
over it (see Figure 2).
Vectors with Relative Motion
Explore vectors by mounting a Motion Sensor at an angle on the
Variable Speed Motorized Cart. Place the track at an angle to the
wall and position the Motion Sensor parallel with the wall (see
Figure 3).
The Motion Sensor will record the relative velocity of the
Motion Sensor with respect to the wall. Next, orient the track so
that it is perpendicular to the wall. Repeat the data collection
process. The velocity measured by the Motion Sensor the sec-
ond time is the full velocity of the Motorized Cart. Use the data
acquisition software to plot both runs of data on a graph of
velocity versus time.
Independence of Vertical and Horizontal Motion
Mount a Ballistic Cart Accessory onto the Variable Speed
Motorized Cart. Arrange the equipment so that the Ballistic Cart
Accessory will launch the ball while the cart is moving forward
(see Figure 4).
NOTE
: When the TIME control switch is set to “3”, select the time interval by using the VARIABLE control
knob. Turn the knob to MIN for a time interval under one second, and turn the knob to MAX for a time interval
of approximately seven seconds. When using the VARIABLE control knob, the time interval will be propor-
tional to the position of the knob. For example, half-way between MIN and MAX is approximately 3.5 seconds.
Figure 2: Relative Motion
paper
Cart
Cart
Motion
Sensor
wall
track
Figure 3: Explore Vectors
Figure 4: Ballistic Cart Accessory
track
Cart
Ballistic Cart Accessory
