Physics Lab question velocity/Δt simple

[munchy35]

Homework Statement

Hi all. I did a lab in physics and am struggling with a question. The lab involved dropping an object that had clear and black bands on it through a photogate to determine velocity and time.

The question I'm struggling with is...

Looking at the RAW DATA, you should notice that the Δt values are getting smaller as the falling proceeds. Why is this?

Homework Equations

There aren't really equations. It's just a question, but attempted answer below.

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm just confused on what this means. I'm pretty sure Δt is the time for which the photgate was open - between the bands on the falling object. Is the answer simply that the Δt becomes smaller, because as the object falls the velocity is increasing - so the time that the photogate was open will become shorter.

Is this right? If it is, can someone help me use clearer wording. Thanks!

 

[willem2]

I'm just confused on what this means. I'm pretty sure Δt is the time for which the photgate was open - between the bands on the falling object. Is the answer simply that the Δt becomes smaller, because as the object falls the velocity is increasing - so the time that the photogate was open will become shorter.

Is this right? If it is, can someone help me use clearer wording. Thanks!

Yes. As the object speeds up, the time for a band to pass the photogate becomes shorter.

 

[scupydog]

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm just confused on what this means. I'm pretty sure Δt is the time for which the photgate was open - between the bands on the falling object. Is the answer simply that the Δt becomes smaller, because as the object falls the velocity is increasing - so the time that the photogate was open will become shorter.

Is this right? If it is, can someone help me use clearer wording. Thanks!

Looks good to me..