Inspired by the recent paper1 in The Physics Teacher on the dynamics of vehicle rollovers, we modeled “rollover” in a laboratory experiment. The combination of fundamental physical principles, application to a “real world” problem, and ease of doing the experiment with readily available material and equipment makes the experiment an attractive one for use in a high school or introductory college physics course. A suggested method, sample results, and suggestions for further experimentation follow.

1.
Desmond N.
Penny
, “
Rollover of sport utility vehicles
,”
Phys. Teach.
42
,
86
91
(Feb.
2004
).
2.
Fact sheet, http://www.saferoads.org/issues/fs-rollover.htm.
3.
See Ref. 1, p. 87.
4.
See Ref. 1, p. 88.
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