Experiment 30: Introduction to the Ticker Timer
Aim: To use the ticker timer to measure distance and speed of a piece of ticker tape
ticker tape
Equipment
• A ticker timer
• 12V AC power supply
• ticker tape,
• two 4mm connecting leads
• scissors
• glue or sticky tape.
magnet
carbon
paper
disc
power input (a.c.)
coil
Method (Practical):
1. Connect the timer to the power supply.
2. Put a 1 m length of tape under the
carbon disc and switch on. Pull the
tape through steadily.
vibrating bar
Method (Data)
1.Count 5 space lengths and mark a line across the ticker tape at the dot that
completes each 5 space length.
2.Measure the distance from the start point to each of the lines you have marked.
3. Record these distances in a table
4. Cut the tape into FIVE SPACE lengths and stick them into your books side by side as
shown in the diagram.
5. Measure the length of each of your FIVE SPACE lengths
and
calculate the average speed through this section
6. Record your results in a table.
7. Graph the results as both s/t and v/t graphs.
Remember that you must measure FIVE SPACES and NOT 5 DOTS.
The sample pieces of ticker tape shown in the diagram are not all quite the same
length. What does this tell you about the speed with which the ticker tape was pulled?
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Results (Part 1)
Table 1: Total Distance v Time
Time (s)
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
Distance
(cm)
Distance
(m)
In the space provided below, draw a distance v time graph
Graphing Checklist
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
Graph heading
Label and units on each axis
regular scale on each axis
plot points in pencil
line of best fit.
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
Results (Part 2)
Paste the 5 interval strips you cut out earlier into your practical book here.
Measure the length of each strip and record the value in the table over the page.
Results (continued)
Table 1: Total Distance v Time
Time (s)
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
Distance
(cm)
Speed
(m/s)
Calculations
To calculate the speed of the ticker tape in each 0.1s strip, use the following formula
speed = distance in centimetres / 100
0.1
Complete this equation for each ticker tape strip and record the data in the table the
graph the data.