Things to Measure: As you pull away from the school or from a stop light, find the time it takes to go from stopped to 20 miles per hour. You may have to get someone up front to help out on this. t=___________ seconds.
Things to Calculate: Show equations used and your unit cancellations:
1. Convert 20 mph to m/s. (1.0 mph = 0.44 m/s)
v = _____________ m/s
2. Find the acceleration of the bus in m/s
.
a = ___________ m/s
3. Using your mass in Kilograms, calculate the average force on you as the bus starts up. (1 kg of mass weighs 2.2 lbs.)
F = _______________ N
4. Using your mass in kilograms, calculate your weight in Newtons. (W = mg).
W = ______________ N
5. How does this force (#3) compare to the force gravity exerts on you [your weight in Newtons (#4)]? Circle one:
6. How many g's are you experiencing during the bus's acceleration?
# g's = Force Experienced (#3) / Force gravity normally exerts (your weight in Newtons)
= ________________ g's
Things to Notice as you Ride:
7. As you start up, which way do you FEEL thrown, forward or backward? Why?
8. If someone were watcing the bus accelerate from the side of the road, what would that person see happening to you in relation to the bus?
9. How can you explain the difference between what you feel as the bus starts up and what the observer sees?