TOPIC:

ID Code: C2-02
Purpose: Measure acceleration using two different procedures
Description: All gliders are equipped with a 5 cm tab which interrupts the light beam when passing through the photocell gate. The timing system can be set to measure the time, ta or tb, a tab takes to move through the gate or the time, tab, taken for the glider to move from gate A to gate B (not B to A). The timer can be set at full scale ranges from 99.9 ms through 999 seconds for a range of applications.

One timer is set so that it records the time for a glider to move from A to B. The second timer is set to measure the time the tab requires to move through gate A, and then after resetting, the time required for the tab to move through gate B. The acceleration, to an accuracy of less than about ten percent, can be computed using the equation:

a = (v2-v1)/tab = mg/(M+m).
where v1=5cm/ta and v2= 5cm/tb

Note: IMPORTANT NOTE: This demonstration uses BOTH photocell timing devices. You cannot do this demonstration and any other that uses photocell gates without major setup changes during class. We suggest that you do not request this demonstration for the same class as any other photocell timing demonstration.

Availability: Available