Hands-On Kinematics: Graphing Constant Velocity in the Classroom

Getting students to truly see constant velocity can be tricky. Diagrams and definitions only go so far before the idea fades. The Constant Velocity Car (Tumble Buggy) provides students with a clear and repeatable method for collecting data, analyzing motion, and understanding the concept of uniform motion through direct observation.

In small lab groups, students record positions at equal time intervals, build position–time and velocity–time graphs, and visually and quantitatively observe that slope of position over time is velocity. It’s a budget-friendly Best Seller that’s built for classroom use, simple to set up, and ideal for every level of physics or physical science.

What is the Constant Velocity Car?

The Constant Velocity Car is a small, battery-powered vehicle designed to move at a steady speed—perfect for investigating uniform motion and building graphical models of position and velocity. Students can mark its position over time or use a spark timer to collect evenly spaced data points.

Product Highlights:

🚗 Consistent speed for accurate graphing and data collection

🚗 Ideal for position–time and velocity–time investigations

🚗 Works on tile, lab tables, or butcher paper tracks

🚗 Simple operation—just turn it on and let it roll

Tip: Need to shorten the run? Wrap one battery in aluminum foil to reduce speed by half—great for comparing two at a time and smaller classrooms.

What You Can Teach

Graphing Motion
Students gather data points and plot position vs. time graphs that form a perfect straight line—revealing that the slope equals constant velocity.

Speed vs. Velocity
Switch directions to show positive and negative slopes on position–time graphs, reinforcing how direction impacts velocity but not speed.

Velocity–Time Relationships
Use spark timer or stopwatch data to plot velocity–time graphs, illustrating that a horizontal line represents constant velocity.

Uniform vs. Accelerated Motion
Compare the Constant Velocity Car with our Acceleration car to contrast linear vs. curved motion graphs.

Comparing Constant Velocities
Use one car with two batteries and another with one to create a constant-velocity race. Students can predict where the cars will meet or finish together, then test and refine their models. Turns a single-car lab into a full kinematics challenge that builds both modeling and problem-solving skills.

Uniform Circular Motion
Attach the car to a pole with a string and let it move in a circular path at a constant speed. Students see that while the car’s speed remains constant, its velocity is always changing direction, meaning it’s continuously accelerating toward the center.

Angular Velocity
By adjusting the length of the rope, they can observe how radius affects angular velocity, reinforcing relationships between linear speed, angular speed, and centripetal acceleration.

Faraday’s Law & Electromagnetic Induction
Manually push the car without any batteries inside—students will be surprised when the red light still turns on, glowing brighter the faster it moves. This simple twist turns the motor into a generator, illustrating how moving coils through magnetic fields induces current. It’s a fast, memorable way to connect mechanical motion to electricity and bring Faraday’s Law to life.

Why Teachers Love It

Hands-On Discovery: Students aren’t watching—they’re measuring, graphing, and reasoning.
Simple, Reliable, Repeatable: No software, sensors, or calibration—just consistent motion every time.
Perfect for Modeling Instruction: Supports representational thinking, linear modeling, and kinematics fundamentals.
Affordable & Durable: Designed for years of classroom use and backed by Arbor Scientific’s teacher-trusted quality.