INTRO & MATERIALS

Once you have acquired a matchbox or hotwheels car you can start your project!
Place the rocket on top of the car by either gluing it with hot glue or strapping it on with zip ties. ( I prefer both). While the glue is drying, remove the actual pen and ink from the pen tube and cut the tube in half. After the rocket is secured to the car, glue the pen tubes to the sides of the car. (about mid way between the rocket and the car) Dont forget to glue something straight up on top of the rocket, like a pen cap. ( so the photogates can detect an object moving though it.) You may also weigh the car and include it in your data. (maybe the cars weight affects the speed of the car?)
Now the car is READY!!!

Setting up the track!

Once you have measured the distance of the 2x4 ply wood board, take the metal piece and nail or screw it into the end of the ply wood. Once both sides are secured, string the wire of your choice, through the holes on each end.  Start at one side of the wood by putting the wire through the metal piece and securing it. Feed the wire to the other hole at the other end of the ply wood and come back to where you started. Make sure the wire is pulled tight. Once the track is set up, place the photogates at 10cm from the starting point, 1 meter, 2 meters, 3 meters, and 4 meters.
 

Once the car and track are set up, feed the wire through the pen tubes on both sides. Make sure the photogates are working properly by running the car through it by just pushing it manually. After everything is working properly push the car back to its starting position. Make sure all viewers are standing behind the track and not in front where the car's destination is. Place the 12-volt battery behind the track and attach the coated wire to the ignitor wires at the end of the car. (Make sure the wires don't touch) Once everything is in place, and the Vernier software is fired up, touch one wire to the negative and the other to the positive at the same time and watch the car take off!