Analysing Linear Motion

A common way of analyzing the motion of objects in physics labs is to perform a ticker tape analysis.
A ticker timer (as shown) is a device used to study motion in a short time interval.

A long tape is attached to a moving object and threaded through a device that places a tick upon the tape at regular intervals of time.

As the object moves, it drags the tape through the "ticker," thus leaving a trail of dots. The trail of dots provides a history of the object's motion and therefore a representation of the object's motion.

A ticker timer consists of an electrical vibrator, which is connected to an alternating current power supply (12 V or 6 V).
A vibrating metal strip with a pin is set to vibrate up and down 50 times per second (i.e. 50 hertz, which is the frequency of the a.c. supply)

Each time the metal pin moves down, it makes a dot on the pre-carbonated ticker tape which passes underneath.
The ticker tape is attached to the trolley which moves on the bench or runaway. As the trolley moves, it pulls the tape through the ticker timer. A trail of dots is punched along the ticker tape.

The ticker timer can be used to determine the following variables:

Time interval of the motion o Displacement of the object o Velocity of the object o Acceleration of the object o Type of motion of the object
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A ticker timer will lodge dots on the ticker tape at the rate of 50 dots per second.

The time interval between 2 adjacent dots is known as 1 tick or 1 unit time.
50 dots = 1.0 s

Constant velocity

The distance between the dots are equally distributed

The length of all tapes are equal.

Uniform acceleration

The distance between the dots increases uniformly.

The length of strips of tape increases uniformly.

Uniform Deceleration
The distance between the dots decreases uniformly.

The length of strips of tape decreases uniformly.

Ticker Timer