This study aims to compare the final acceleration of the RC car obtained upon using the

forward, backward and central difference formula of second-order derivative on the tabulated
data of the location of the RC car, and the final actual acceleration of the RC car calculated using
the formula

v f v i
a=
t

However, the researchers will use a speedometer application in their android phones to gather the
actual velocity of the RC car. The speedometer app will be the device that will verify the
accuracy of the data gathered. The calibration of the speedometer will be in ft/s. The android
phone will be then placed above the RC car.

Fig.1 Illustration of track (side view)

The designed track is 2 meters in length and on its sides, are barriers that will prohibit the
RC car to run away from the track. The researchers are planning to use an ultrasonic sensor to
determine the location of the RC car on time x up to its 10th iteration where h(step-size) is 0.25
sec. The sensor will be attached on the wall.
 Fig.2 Illustration of track (top view) Fig.3 Basic Sonar Illustration

This illustration shows how the sonar sensor will work. The sonar will be then programed
in Arduino software to record distances for every 0.25 second ten times. The sensor has 2
openings on its front. One opening transmits ultrasonic waves, (like a tiny speaker), the other
receives them, (like a tiny microphone).

The Remote-Control Truck Racing Car the researchers will use is made of plastic
materials and 20.5x8x5 (LxWxH cm) in size. 3 AA batteries will be used to operate the RC car.
And 2 AA batteries for its remote control.

Since the sensor will determine the position of the RC car at a specific time, the
researchers will able to calculate for the second-derivative of f(x).

We have x=time, and h(step-size) =0.25sec.

F(x)=displacement of the RC car

F(x)=acceleration

F(3)(x)= Jerk

And we have F(4)(x) =Jounce(also known as Snap)

For example,

x F(x) F(x) F(x) F(x) F(x)

0 0.5cm
0.25 sec 1.2cm
0.5 sec 3cm

Using the following formulas, we can get the acceleration of the gathered data

Forward Difference Formula

Backward Difference Formula

Central Difference Formula