How Can a Mask, Light Gate, and Motion Computer Measure Instantaneous Speed?

[Revolutionz]

Homework Statement

Describe how you would use a mask, light gate and motion computer to measure the instantaneous speed of the trolley at the bottom of the slope. (specify what the computer measures, what it calculates and what has to be programmed into its memory.

(3 Marks)

Homework Equations

N/A

The Attempt at a Solution

This came up in my homework questions that has to be in for monday.
im having a lot of trouble to get max marks out of this question.

Here's what i have.
You set up a light gate on the slope and at the bottom. you release the trolley at the top of the slope and the computer measures the time took from light gate 1 to light gate 2 and calculates the acceleration. But i don't knw what has to be programmed into it memory

If anyone could help me get max marks and improve my answers, i will be grateful.

 

[CompuChip]

Suppose the computer measures a time of 1 second. What other information do you need to find the instantaneous speed? Does it matter where on the slope you put the first gate?

Otherwise, try doing the calculation by hand. Suppose you are only given the time (e.g. 1 second), go through the calculation, and box all the additional information you have to use to do the calculation. If possible, give a formula which only gives the answer in terms of the measurement and the additional parameters you specified, such that a computer would just have to fill in the numbers to find the answer.

 

[baba89]

To measure the instantaneous speed of the trolley at the bottom of the slope, you would need to use a mask, light gate, and motion computer. The mask would be used to block the light beam from the light gate until the trolley passes through it, triggering the motion computer to start recording the time. The light gate at the bottom of the slope would be used to stop the timer on the motion computer once the trolley passes through it. The computer would measure the time taken for the trolley to travel between the two light gates and use this information to calculate the instantaneous speed using the formula speed = distance/time. In order for the computer to accurately calculate the speed, it would need to know the distance between the two light gates, which would need to be programmed into its memory. Additionally, the computer would need to be set to record time in milliseconds in order to get a more precise measurement of the instantaneous speed.