The picture below shows Peggy's new racetrack. It has different starting positions and an upside-down loop for cars to go through. She has 3 cars that she wants to try on the track: a sports car, a truck, and a jeep.

Question

Peggy knows that height can change how fast a car will go. Which experiment will help Peggy choose the starting position that allows every car to complete the loop?

Answer 1

To determine the best starting position for each car to complete the loop on Peggy's racetrack, she should conduct an experiment that systematically tests the starting heights with each car. Here’s a proposed experiment:

1. Select Starting Heights: Choose a range of starting heights above the loop. For example, Peggy could start the cars from different heights (e.g., 1 meter, 1.5 meters, 2 meters, etc.) until she finds a height that works for all cars.

2. Test Each Car: For each selected starting height, Peggy should send each of the cars (sports car, truck, and jeep) down the track one at a time.

3. Record Results: After each run, record whether each car successfully completes the loop. She should note how each car performs at each height, paying attention to any differences in speed or performance.

4. Analyze Data: Once all trials are complete, Peggy can analyze which starting height allowed each car to complete the loop. She can identify the minimum height necessary for each car, and see if there is a common height that works for all three.

5. Choose Optimal Height: Finally, Peggy can choose the starting position that is high enough for all three cars to successfully complete the loop.

This experimental approach will give her practical insights into how initial height affects the ability of each car to navigate the loop, ensuring she selects the best starting position for her racetrack.