Exploring Uniform Motion with Ticker Tape

In summary, during the lab for UNIFORM MOTION, a ticker tape was used to record the position of a moving object over time. By pulling the tape at a steady rate while walking, a position-time graph was created. If the velocity is not constant, the dots on the tape will appear closer together or farther apart, indicating a change in velocity. If the position-time graph is not a straight line, it suggests that the velocity is changing, and the gradient of the graph represents this change. Repeating the experiment at different speeds will result in a steeper or shallower slope on the graph, depending on the velocity. Pulling the tape through at changing rates will also affect the holes on the tape, potentially creating a pattern that
  • #1
Karma
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ok this is a basic and simple question for UNIFORM MOTION. We did a lab in which a a Ticker tape and ticker tape was used. We were to hold on to the end of a tape while we walk severel steps as our partner operates the ticker timer. As I am walking I am pulling the tape as smoothly and steady as possible.
And then we had to draw a position time graph by measuring and recording the position for each time interval (6 dots, with each space representing an elapsed time of 1/60s, so each time interval consists of 0.10s ((6x 1/60s=0.10s))
I just need help with answering these questions

suppose you were to walk with a non-constant velocity. How might this appear on your ticker tape? Describe and explain the appearance of the dots on the tape.

If you postion time graph were not a straight line, what conclusions could you draw about your motion.

How would the graph change if you repeated the experiment but moved more quickly? more slowly?
 
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  • #2
Karma said:
suppose you were to walk with a non-constant velocity. How might this appear on your ticker tape? Describe and explain the appearance of the dots on the tape.

If you postion time graph were not a straight line, what conclusions could you draw about your motion.

How would the graph change if you repeated the experiment but moved more quickly? more slowly?

If you are walking at a non-constant velocity, this means that your velocity is changing, and therefore the rate that you pull the tape through the timer is changing. How do you think pulling the tape through at changing rates will affect the holes?

If your position vs time isn't a straight line when plotted, it must be curved. If its curved, then the gradient is changing. Knowing what you do about what the gradient of position vs time plot represents, what can you say about your motion.
 
  • #3


If you were to walk with a non-constant velocity, the dots on the ticker tape would be spaced unevenly. This is because the ticker tape records the position of the object at specific time intervals, and if the object is moving with a non-constant velocity, the distance it covers in each time interval will be different. This would result in dots that are closer together or further apart, depending on the speed of the object at that particular time interval.

If the position-time graph is not a straight line, it means that the object is not moving with a constant velocity. This could indicate that the object is accelerating or decelerating, or that it is moving in a curved path.

If the experiment is repeated with a faster speed, the dots on the ticker tape would be spaced further apart as the object is covering more distance in each time interval. This would result in a steeper slope on the position-time graph, indicating a higher velocity. On the other hand, if the experiment is repeated with a slower speed, the dots on the ticker tape would be closer together, resulting in a shallower slope on the position-time graph, indicating a lower velocity.
 

FAQ: Exploring Uniform Motion with Ticker Tape

What is ticker tape?

Ticker tape is a long strip of paper that is marked at regular intervals with dots, lines, or numbers. It is used to record and analyze the motion of an object.

How does ticker tape help in exploring uniform motion?

Ticker tape allows us to measure the distance an object travels in equal time intervals, which helps us determine its speed and acceleration. This makes it useful for studying uniform motion, where an object moves at a constant speed in a straight line.

What is the process of using ticker tape to explore uniform motion?

The process involves attaching the ticker tape to an object, such as a toy car, and pulling it along a smooth surface at a constant speed. The dots or lines on the tape will be evenly spaced, indicating uniform motion. The tape can then be analyzed to calculate the speed and acceleration of the object.

Can ticker tape be used to study non-uniform motion?

Yes, ticker tape can also be used to study non-uniform motion, where an object's speed or direction changes. However, the analysis can be more complex as the dots or lines on the tape will not be evenly spaced.

What are some limitations of using ticker tape to explore motion?

One limitation is that ticker tape can only record the motion of an object in one dimension, usually in a straight line. It also requires a smooth surface for accurate measurements. Additionally, the tape can tear or get tangled, making it difficult to analyze the data. More advanced methods, such as video analysis, may be used to overcome these limitations.

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