Improving Time Measurement Using Current: How Can I Make it Work?

[blackcat]

Hi,

I am making something to measure how much time two objects are in contact
when one of them is accelerated towards the other. To do this, I'm going to
put a wire on one object and another on the other, and make the objects
complete the circuit when they touch obviously. What happens with this is is
these wires link to a stopclock/watch (i can give the model name if you
want) and this stopwatch starts timing when it receives a current and stops
when it receives ANOTHER current. I mean, you give it a current. Starts
time. You "break the circuit." It still times. You give it another current,
it stops. This isn't useful because I need it to start timing when it
receives a current and stop when that current is taken away (as the objects
are no longer in contact; no more current).

What can I do to make this work? Is there anyway I would generate/make a
current come when the circuit is broken? How does a potential divider fit
into this? I am grateful for help. Thank you.

 

[Almsco]

Hi there,

It sounds like you are looking for a way to measure the amount of time two objects are in contact when one of them is accelerated towards the other. A potential divider could be used here as it is a device that divides the voltage of a circuit by a resistor so that a lower voltage can be measured. You could use this to measure the current in the circuit. You could also use a transistor switch which would allow you to start and stop the timing when the circuit is open or closed.

I hope this helps!