Topic 1.3: Nerf Car Analysis & Presentation Worksheet

Names (team of 4): _______________________________________________ Date: _______________

Step 1 — Calculate Average Velocity by Interval (pick one trial per car)

Use $v_{avg} = \dfrac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}$ for each 0.5 m segment.

Car A (Trial ___):

Interval	Δx (m)	Δt (s)	v_avg (m/s)
0 → 0.5	0.5
0.5 → 1.0	0.5
1.0 → 1.5	0.5
1.5 → 2.0	0.5
2.0 → 2.5	0.5
2.5 → 3.0	0.5

Car B (Trial ___):

Interval	Δx (m)	Δt (s)	v_avg (m/s)
0 → 0.5	0.5
0.5 → 1.0	0.5
1.0 → 1.5	0.5
1.5 → 2.0	0.5
2.0 → 2.5	0.5
2.5 → 3.0	0.5

Did either car's velocity stay about the same across every interval, or did it change (sped up / slowed down as it went)? What do you think caused that? _________________________________________________________________

Step 2 — Overall Average Velocity, All 4 Trials

Trial	Car A: 3.0 m ÷ total time	Car B: 3.0 m ÷ total time
1
2
3
4
Average of all 4

Spread check: highest trial − lowest trial, for each car: Car A spread: ___________ Car B spread: ___________ (A smaller spread means more consistent, more trustworthy data.)

Step 3 — Build Your Graph

Use the space below (or a separate sheet) to graph either average velocity by interval, or position vs. time for one trial of each car. Label your axes and units.

Step 4 — Your Verdict

Which car do you recommend betting on? _________________ Evidence (use real numbers): _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ One source of error that might have affected your data: _________________________________________________________________ How could you reduce that error if you ran this again? _________________________________________________________________

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Keep This Sheet!

This sheet builds into your semester study guide, same as your daily Concept Sheets.