Domino Rallies

Today in class, we discovered what photo gate timers were. They are pieces of digital technology that are shaped like arcs and connected to poles. These poles are connected to either a small weighted platform (secondary timer) or a larger thicker platform that actually records the time on a display. We then discussed what the timers can measure, what they can help measure, or how they measure. It turns out the timers measure time and not necessarily speed itself, however they can't always be used in the traditional way (to tell/take times). They only record time INTERVALS in a way that is somewhat similar to a stopwatch. The choice to either use a photo gate timer or a stopwatch needs to be made carefully. A stopwatch is used to record general time intervals, but a photo gate timer records time intervals with more precise accuracy.

To make a photo gate timer work, you choose one of the three settings (pulse, gate,
pendulum). Next, you activate one of the arcs by breaking this line of light between (one end of the arc and another end). This starts the timer, and to stop the timer, the other arc's line of light must be broken. When we got to the subject of dominoes, we brainstormed ideas for experiments/labs that would lead us to the discovery of something new. We eventually concluded on the question,"Does the spacing of dominoes affect the speed of a domino rally". We selected a set number of dominoes and spaced them using a certain length from back to front. Next, we set up the photo gate timers with one arc right behind the first domino, and the second directly over the last domino. We knocked the dominoes over, then recorded the time that appeared on the timer. We recorded data for all trials, then recorded a class table with all of our results.

After the class table was made, we discussed graphing. If you did not know, the dependent variable goes on the Y(vertical axis) and the independent variable goes on the X(horizontal axis). The dependent variable is the non constant (uncontrolled) variable, and the independent variable is the controlled variable. Always include labels, units, a title, and a line of correlation. Plot coordinates based on your data.

This is what took place in class today

The next scribe will be Kathryn

Ace Neely-Chandler (Cornelius Chandler)