2.  Track is made of.5 inch diameter tubing  The cart is a 0.005 kg metal ball  The initial height is 14 inches  The track is supported by wood dowels, metal brackets, and LOTS of hot glue!!!  It consists of a series of drops, hills, and horizontal spirals

3.  PE=mgh =(0.005 kg)(32.2 ft/sec)(1.167ft) =0.187887 J  PE turns into kinetic energy during the initial drop  Kinetic energy used while the ball is in motion  Potential energy is stored at the top of the smaller hills  Energy is lost by friction between metal ball and tubing

4.  Original tri-tubing system failed by coming apart  The intended loop was too inconsistent because the tubes tried to form back to original shape  One larger tube cut in half did not have enough surface area to keep the high velocity ball on the track  The original design was not enough track to run the complete 15 seconds