Science in Toyland

Go the Distance!




Does the height of the track affect the speed of the cars? Change the track's height and see what it takes to get your car through the loop.

A: When the car stands still at the top of the track it has potential energy only. The higher the track the more potential energy the car has.

B: Potential energy is converted into the energy of motion, or kinetic energy, as the car races down the track.

C: At the bottom of the track the car has kinetic energy only. The more potential energy a car has at the top the more kinetic energy it will have at the bottom, and the farther the car will go.

Toy cars, racetracks and other toys with wheels are excellent for experimentation with potential and kinetic energy, acceleration and momemtum.

Science in Toyland was created by the California Museum of Science and Industry, with support from members of the Science Museum Exhibit Collaborative.
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