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Abstract

Theoretical Backdrop

Experimental Design

Apparatus

Method

Experimental Data

Graphed Results

Interpretation

Conclusion

Key Learnings

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Theoretical Backdrop

Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) established the scientific laws that govern 99% or more of our everyday experiences – from how the Moon orbits the Earth and the planets orbit the Sun to how a hockey puck slides over ice, how a person rides a bicycle, or how a rocket launches a satellite into space or how automobiles run on different surfaces or how does a skater skate on ice and the functioning of roller coasters and bumper cars in amusement parks! We may say that, Newton’s Laws of Motion chime with life’s everyday experiences as they apply to macroscopic systems – things we can feel and see.

In 1686, Newton presented his Three Laws of Motion in his book the "Principia Mathematica Philosophiae Naturalis". In fact Newton’s Laws are the basis of automobile engineering and design in relation to motion: Why does an object move like it does? How does the object accelerate or decelerate? What is the relationship between force and motion?

Focus of this experiment is to study the ‘natural motion’ of a car and determine the variations in stopping distance when traveling on different surfaces and incline plane. The data obtained are interpreted with reference to Newton’s Three Laws of Motion.

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