why doesn't the weight of the truck affect the distance it travels?

Question

i did an investigation which involved me letting a truck go down a ramp + putting weights in it each time...started with no weights then put 500g, then 1k, then 1500g, then 2k. need to know the answer for an assignment for uni.

Answer 1

First off becuase you have the same gravitanal acceleration, which does not depend on the weight. The only thing that would cause that truck to stop at a shorter distance would be a differcne in height that you started the truck. Or if there is some external friction like from wind or you put brakes on or something.

Answer 2

I suppose that's the same idea as the common experiments of gravity when someone drops to balls with the same size but different weights. All objects fall at the same speed with gravity, I think that may be one of Newton's laws.. The only time there is a difference in speeds is when one of the objects catches wind resistance (i.e. a feather or unballed up paper).