Senior Physics and a Pinewood Derby
The Advanced Senior Physics classes held a pinewood derby, but this time with science!
The Mission: To figure out what actually matters when you want to make a fast car!
The Project: Each student made a car, measured its friction properties, then used numerical differential equation techniques to predict how fast their car would go.
The Result: Students formed groups to tackle different aspects of the project, from building a ramp that follows a precise parabolic curve, to building a wind tunnel to measure the air resistance of the cars, to collecting and analyzing all the data.
The Project: Each student made a car, measured its friction properties, then used numerical differential equation techniques to predict how fast their car would go.
The Result: Students formed groups to tackle different aspects of the project, from building a ramp that follows a precise parabolic curve, to building a wind tunnel to measure the air resistance of the cars, to collecting and analyzing all the data.
- GANN ACADEMY
- 333 Forest Street
- Waltham, MA 02452
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- F: 781.642.6805
