Follow these steps to build and test the setup: Securely glue or tape the piece of cardboard onto the box.
Make lengthwise guides to keep the ball on the ramp. Connect three straws end to end. To connect them, squeeze the end of one straw and insert it into the end of another straw. Tape the guide along one side of the ramp. Make a second guide using three more straws. Tape it along the other side of the ramp. The space between the guides should be a little wider than the width of the ball.
Set up the ramp. The top of the ramp should be 12 inches off the floor. Place the box (vehicle 1) at the base of the ramp—the box should be touching the end of the ramp. The side with the added cardboard piece should face the ramp. Orient the box so it’s wider than it is high.
Let the ball roll down the ramp and hit the box. The box should fall over and move across the floor.
The amount of force in this collision can be measured indirectly. Simply measure the distance the box moved after the ball hit it. What procedure can you use to measure the distance?