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3. Acceleration

We begin our story as we find Lucy, Lenny, Lisa and Louie in Gym Class.

Unhappily, Lucy and Lenny are complaining about being sweaty during a team time out instead of discussing soccer strategy with their teammates. Their team is losing to Lisa and Louie's by one goal in a well fought match. But, an idea comes to Lucy's mind.... " Hey Lenny, instead of moaning about sweat, we could use this time to figure out our group Science project on acceleration." "Yeah, Lucy, good thought. But how are we going to motivate Lisa and Louie to think after the game when all they'll want to do is rag on our loss?" "That's easy Lenny, we'll get Louie to talk about that Tour de France race again. He'll never shut up and probably figure out all the examples we need for the project. Lisa will just go along with it...I'll give her the evil eye; she'll understand."

An hour later, at the library. " Ok Louie", said Lenny. "Enough is enough!! Lucy and I know our team stinks, in addition to our sweaty bodies. Oh, thank God for showers! And, by the way got any more stories about that Tour de uhhh...? " France" said Louie "Pick another good one." said Lucy. "Why?" questioned Louie. "Our group acceleration project is due tomorrow." responds Lucy. Louie shockingly admits. Tomorrow? Oh no, I forgot about it, better get busy then." "Lisa, you write down notes on what Louie says, Lenny, go on the internet and find photos of these cyclists and I'll pick Louie's brains for answers. Ok Louie we need an example where we show that acceleration in Science refers to increasing speed, decreasing speed or changing direction." Mmmm, Lucy that's tough" said Louie. " Don't be pressured, Louie, just think of all the brownie points we'll get. You know it's a unique example and you know how the teach is so sportful, you might think she's a gym teacher or somethin'! She'll love us!" exclaims Lucy. "I got it!" cried Louie. Remember that tough climb, Stage 15 finishing at Luz-Ardiden? Well, all of a sudden, Lance pulls out from behind Ian Ulrich speeding up this real steep climb with a vengeance. Iban Mayo then overtakes Lance and Ulrich from his third place position, then Lance attacks and passes Mayo. These would be examples of increasing speed. Then out of nowhere, a spectator's bag gets caught on Lance's front brake handle and down he goes, taking Mayo with him to the pavement. At that point the cyclists are experiencing decreasing speed and stopping." "And big time butt bruises" shouted Lenny. "Don't add that Lisa", sternly states Lucy. "Oh my God, what happens to these cutie petuties...good pictures Lenny, they're hot!" "Lisa, stay focused!!!! " screams Lucy. Louie continues. "Well both got up, checked their bikes and Lance became a man with a mission. He accelerated further and ascended the curved roads of the climb." "Hey, that's changing direction too! exclaimed Lisa. " And he won the stage which ultimately made him the winner of the 2003 Tour." " Great, we're done!" said Lucy. " I don't think so. What about circular motion? These guys didn't ride in circles or did they?" questioned Lenny. "No circles; but...on the Champs-Elysees; you know that famous boulevard in Paris? Well there's a big beautiful Ferris wheel situated in the center of the boulevard." said Louie. "How's that solve our problem?" queries Lenny. " Don't you remember from class the teach said: "the seats on the Ferris wheel will accelerate because they are moving in a circle."" said Louie. Confidently, Lisa concludes and closes the report by stating: the cyclists got bored after the race , wanted to party, hopped in a seat on the Ferris wheel and enjoyed some circular motion. Mmm, think that's a rap guys; solid "100"!!!"