ok were doing a lab
h t t p: / /i m g2 0 0. i m a ge s h a c k. u s / im g 2 0 0 / 30 3 8 /s k e t c h 2 p q g. j p g
the timer in the picture makes a mark on the tape at a set interval...
my question is well what is actually is happening is that I'm pulling the tape sense I'm taller then the table my arm isn't going to be pulling the tape straight out it'll have an x component and a y component
does this effect the data at all...
I can't decide because the distance is being measured through the timer which only has an x component and no y...
I can't make up my mind like if I pulled the tape with like a 90 degree angle with the surface it sits on would that matter???
For the benefit of other readers, here is the image link:
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3038/sketch2pqg.jpg
What is important is the rate at which you pull the tape, since the timer makes a mark at regular (time) intervals. The angle is not relevant as long as the tape comes out at the required rate, 1 ft/sec. or whatever. The angle will make a differnce in the force required to pull the tape. If the tape is perfectly flexible like a string, and there is a roller to change the direction of the tape, even the force will not make a difference.
If I have not understood your question, please send more clarifications.
no that was it thanks
You're welcome. :)
In your lab, you are pulling a tape and using a timer to measure the distance. You are wondering if the angle at which you pull the tape affects the data.
The angle at which you pull the tape will indeed affect the data. When you pull the tape at an angle, it will have both an x and y component. The timer only measures the x component of the distance because it is designed to measure along a single axis. This means that the timer will only capture the distance in one direction, while the y component will not be accounted for.
If you pull the tape at a 90-degree angle with the surface it sits on, it means you are pulling the tape straight out horizontally, and there will be no y component. In this case, the timer will accurately measure the distance. However, if you pull the tape at any other angle, the y component will come into play, and the timer will not capture that component, leading to inaccurate data.
To account for the angle at which you pull the tape, you can use trigonometry. By measuring the angle and the x-component distance, you can calculate the actual distance by using trigonometric functions such as sine or cosine.
For example, if you measure the angle θ and the x-component distance d, you can use the formula:
Actual distance = x-component distance / cos(θ)
This will give you the actual distance the tape has been pulled, taking into account the angle at which it was pulled.