Name:________________________________________Section:________Date:_________________

Investigating Acceleration Using a Spark Timer

Materials

spark timer spark timer tape ruler rolling cart tape

ramp books for

stacking ramp

Introduction
In this laboratory, you will be using a device called a spark timer to accurately measure displacements that
occur between set intervals of time. A spark timer is used to make accurate time and distance measurements for
a moving object. It consists of an electronic circuit which creates, at regular intervals, a spark between two
external needles. The interval between consecutive sparks can be set at either 1/10 or 1/60 of a second. 1/10 of a
second is 10 Hertz (Hz) and 1/60 of a second is 60 Hertz (Hz). To record data, timer tape is attached to the
moving object in the experiment. The timer tape slides through the timer under the needles. It has a coating on
which a pair of marks is left by each spark. The marks on the timer tape provide both distance information and
time information for the object attached to the tape.

Procedure

1. Stack two or three books on the laboratory countertop to create a workable height with the adjacent
table. Place one end of the ramp on the books, with the other end on the adjacent table.
2. Place the spark timer on top of the books the pointed ends of the timer facing the ramp. Make sure that
it is turned off at this point.
3. Make sure the spark timer is set to 10 Hz, not 60 Hz.
4. Thread the spark timer tape through the spark timer with the shiny side of the tape facing upward.

5. Fasten the end of the tape that was just threaded through the spark timer to then end of the cart. Secure
the cart so it doesn’t roll down the ramp yet. (Hold on to it while one of your lab partners does the rest!)
6. Turn on the spark timer. Make a note or mark where the sparks begin to mark the tape.
7. Let go of the cart and allow it to roll down the ramp, taking the tape with it.
8. Turn off your spark timer
9. Put away your equipment and analyze your data.

10. Data and Analysis

1. Using a ruler, draw a straight line through each of the sets of spark marks on the tape and then number
the spaces between the spark timer marks.
Name:________________________________________Section:________Date:_________________

2. Starting at your origin, carefully measure the distances between the origin and each mark on the spark
timer tape and then record the cumulative distances in a data table. The title for this column is
Δxcumulative.

3. Include in this data table the corresponding times (in seconds) that match each cumulative displacement.
4. Create a position-time graph using time as your independent variable and cumulative displacement as
your dependent variable.
5. Carefully measure the distances between the numbered spaces and record them in a data table. The title
for this column is Δxintervals.

6. Record the time interval that corresponds to each change in length. Make sure you use proper SI units.
This is your Δt (Hint: The time intervals should be the same at this point!)
7. You will find the average increase in velocity by measuring the displacements between points divided
by the time interval, in this case our time interval of 0.1 seconds.
8. Your table should include the corresponding time that matches the average velocity.
9. From your data table, create a velocity-time graph.

Questions and Discussion

1. Look at your position-time graph. What does the shape of the graph tell you about the change in
displacement? What type of mathematical formula would you use to describe your line? Why?

2. From your velocity-time, you should be able to derive a mathematical value for acceleration. From your
data, create a definition for acceleration, including units.