GRADE 10 PHYSICAL SCIENCES

TERM 3 PRACTICAL INVESTIGATION

DATE: 12 SEPTEMBER 2023 MARKS: 50

A ticker timer is a set of apparatus used to determine the velocity and acceleration of an
object by measuring the object’s displacement against time. It consists of a ticker tape, ticker
and a ramp.

In this experiment, you are to determine the acceleration of a trolley of a fixed mass as it
freely moves down an inclined ramp.
Method
 Attach a ticker tape that runs through a ticker to a trolley (of fixed mass).
 Adjust the frequency of the ticker to 50Hz.
 Allow the trolley to freely run down an inclined ramp while the ticker ticks on the
tape.
 Repeat the procedure 3 times and choose your best tape to compile data on the
1
displacement of the trolley with time. The period of the ticker-timer (T= f )

QUESTIONS
1.1 What is the aim of this investigation? (2)
1.2 Determine the following variables for this investigation:
1.2.1 Two controlled variables (do not consider temperature) (2 + 2) (4)
1.2.2 Independent variable. (2)
1.2.3 Dependant variable. (2)
1.3 Why must the experiment be repeated at least 2 times? (2)
1.4 Calculate the period of the ticker. (4)
The following ticker was recorded during a similar experiment.
Ticker tape
A B C D E
• 4mm • 8mm • 12mm • 16mm •
2.1 Calculate average velocity between the following points
2.1.1 A and B. (3)
2.1.2 B and C. (3)
2.1.3 C and D. (3)
2.1.4 D and E. (3)
2.2 Define displacement. (2)
2.3 What is the distance (in meters) covered by the trolley in this investigation? (2)
2.4 In this case is the distance and the displacement of the trolley the same? Give a reason
for your answer. (3)
2.5 Use the grid provided to plot a graph of velocity against time. (8)
2.6 Define acceleration. (2)
2.7 Use your graph to determine the acceleration of the trolley. (5)
Total marks [50]

NAME:_______________________________________________________
 MARKING GUIDELINES
1.1 To determine the acceleration of a trolley of fixed mass. √√ (2)
1.2
1.2.1 Controlled variables: mass of a trolley√√; angle of inclination of the ramp√√or angle
ramp makes with the horizontal; √√ length of the ramp. √√ (2+2)
1.2.2 Independent variable: Time√√ (2)
1.2.3 Dependent variable: Displacement√√ (2)
1.3 To increase the reliability of the experiment. √√ (2)
1
1.4 f= √
T
1
50= √
T
T =0.02 s √ √ (4)
∆x
2.1.1 v= √
∆t
0.004
V AB= √ (3)
0.02
= 0.2 m. s−1 √

∆x
2.1.2 v= √
∆t
0.003
V BC = √
0.02
= 0.4 m. s−1√ (3)

∆x
2.1.3 v= √
∆t
0.012
V CD = √
0.02
= 0.6 m . s−1√ (3)

∆x
2.1.4 v= √
∆t
0.016
V DC = √
0.02
= 0.8 m . s−1√ (3)

2.2 Displacement is the change in position of an object measured in a straight line from
the start to the end. √√ (2)
 40
2.3 Distance in meters ¿ = 0.04 m. √√ (2)
1000
2.4 Yes√ the distance and the displacement is the same because the change in position of
the trolley from the starting point to the end (displacement) in a straight line is equal
to the distance covered by the trolley. √√ (3)
2.5 On the graph paper.
2.6 The rate of change of velocity. √√ (2)

2.7 acceleration = gradient of the graph

∆v ∆y
= / √
∆t ∆x
0.7−0.1 √
=
0.07−0.01 √
−2
= 10 m. s . √√ (5)