I enjoyed this experiment. If done correctly it produces very consistent data. There are a couple of things that are key when making sure this experiment is done properly.
I know previously this experiment was conducted by lifting the track with books, but after running through it a couple times I noticed that this produced some inconsistent data. Instead, I used the stand which made the track stable and gave me better data.
It is also very important to make sure that your picket fence is lined up perfectly with the photogate. If it isn't you will collect data on some runs and not on others. The best way to make sure it is aligned is to do a slow test run. Place the fence on the cart and try to line it up so the 13 bands block the photogate beam. Then slowly drive the cart through the photogate. The red light on the photogate should flash as each band blocks the beam.
Lastly, it is very important to make sure you start your cart from the exact same place each test run. This ensures that the distance doesn't create a hiccup in your data.
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