1.4 describe experiments to investigate the motion of everyday objects such as toy cars or tennis balls
Experiment: Measuring speed using light gate
- Attach a cart of measured length centrally to the top of the toy car.
- Air track ensures a frictionless way for the toy car.
- A gentle push can move the toy car at a steady speed.
- Arrange for the card to block a light gates beam as it passes through it.
- Electronic timer measures how long the card takes to pass through the beam.
- Now calculate the toy car’s average velocity as it passes the light gate by: v = length of the card / interruption time