Name:________________________
Science 1206
Physics Lab
A common way of analyzing the motion of objects in physics labs is to perform a ticker tape analysis. A long tape is
attached to a moving object and threaded through a device that places a tick upon the tape at regular intervals of
time - say every 0.10 second. As the object moves, it drags the tape through the "ticker," thus leaving a trail of dots.
The trail of dots provides a history of the object's motion and therefore a representation of the object's motion.
The distance between dots on a ticker tape represents the object's position change during that time interval. A large
distance between dots indicates that the object was moving fast during that time interval. A small distance between
dots means the object was moving slowly during that time interval. Ticker tapes for a fast- and slow-moving object
are depicted below.
The analysis of a ticker tape diagram will also reveal if the object is moving with a constant velocity or accelerating. A
changing distance between dots indicates a changing velocity and thus an acceleration. A constant distance between
dots represents a constant velocity and therefore no acceleration.
Using the ticker tape below, Follow the instructions provided and fill-in the corresponding table.
Procedure:
1. Start by calculating the midpoint time by taking the average of the start time and the end time, the dots are
separated by a time of 0.10s (Refer to the chart below).
2. Determine the time interval by subtracting the end time from the start time.
3. Measure the distance (to the nearest hundredth) between each point in the given time intervals to determine the
change in distance.
4. The total distance traveled is the total distance covered from t=0 to the final end time for each interval.
5. To calculate the speeds use the change in distance for that start and end time, and divide by the time
interval.(Show your workings) (
Start Time-End Time
Midpoint
Time
)
Time
interval
Change in
distance (cm)
Total distance
traveled (cm)
Speed (cm/sec)
0.00 sec – 0.10 sec
0.10 sec – 0.20 sec
0.20 sec – 0.30 sec
0.30 sec – 0.40 sec
0.40 sec – 0.50sec
Analysis:
Is the object represented by the ticker tape, moving at a constant speed or accelerating? How do you know?
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Name:________________________
Using the information from your table, determine the acceleration for each of the given time intervals. Once
calculated for each interval, determine the average acceleration. (Time intervals are determined by the midpoint
time for each speed in your table)
Interval
Acceleration
0.05 s – 0.15
0.15 s – 0.25
0.25 s – 0.35
0.35 s – 0.45
Average Acceleration
=
Now use the information from your table to create a distance time graph and a velocity time graph. Be sure to
connect the points on your graph. (For the V-t graph use the midpoint time when plotting the points)
Fig 1.1 – Distance – Time Graph
Fig 1.2 – Speed Time Graph
Extra Problems:
1. A car moving at 15.0 m/s accelerates for 6.00 s and reaches a final speed of 25.0 m/s. What was the car’s
acceleration?
2
2. A runner accelerates at 2.00 m/s for 2.00 s If her initial speed was 2.00 m/s, what is her final speed?
2
3. A balloon, sitting on the ground, accelerates up at a rate of 1.50 m/s . It reaches a final speed of 7.50 m/s. How long
did it take to reach its final speed?
2
4. A rocket car has an acceleration rate of 10.0 m/s . If it accelerates for 5.00 s and reaches a final speed of 80.0 m/s,
what was its initial speed?