Calculating Time and Velocity with a Spark Tape

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around using a spark tape and spark timer to calculate time and velocity in a physics context. Participants are exploring the mechanics of measuring motion using this equipment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the method of calculating time from the number of dots on the tape and the relationship between distance and time for velocity. Questions are raised about the nature of the marks on the tape and their relation to the mains frequency, as well as the types of velocity that can be calculated.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided clarifications about the spark tape and its function. There is an ongoing exploration of how to interpret the data collected from the spark tape, with various questions about the relationship between distance, time, and velocity being posed.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the differences in timing marks based on geographical location (1/60s in the USA/Canada and 1/50s in Europe), which may affect calculations. There is also a focus on understanding the implications of the measurements taken.

Nick A
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Well I used a spark timer and got a spark tape, but forgot how to use the spark tape to calculate time and velocity.
I think its something like the number of dots/60 to get time and v=d/t to get velocity
Am I right?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What's a spark tape?

Sounds like you have the right idea, though.
 
Spark Tape is the tape u insert into the spark timer
 
I'm guessing it's like the ticker tape counters in school dynamics experiments.

You have a length of lightweight paper tape which attaches to the moving object and goes through a mains fed coil which taps a bit of carbon on the paper every 1/50 or 1/60 second to give a time-displacement relation. I suppose you could use a mains spark to burn marks on the paper rather than draw them.

Nick - The marks will be either 1/60s apart in USA/Canada or 1/50s in Europe.
 
yea that was what we did, thx!
 
Thanks mgb_phys, I'd never heard of that before.
 
So, measure the distance between each spot. Make a chart. What does this represent?
What is the time between each spot? What made them? How are they related to the frequency of the power mains?
How can you manipulate (add, subtract, multiply, or divide?) those quantities to get velocity? What kind of velocity (average or instantaneous) do you think you have?
What else could you do with the velocities?
 

Similar threads

Kinematics physics lab help sources of error
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Punching a hole in a tape moving at relativistic speed
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
2K
Spacetime Invariant interval and gamma
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
Errors in calculating the acceleration of gravity
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
% error over many, many measurments
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Measuring Acceleration on a Bike using Phyphox
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
Undergrad What Direction Do Sparks Travel from Steel-on-Steel Friction in Railroad Wheels?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Circular motion of a Weightless rod
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
1K
Projectile motion on an inclined plane and linear equations
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Relating acceleration to distance and time
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K