I'm working on my science fair project for 5th grade. I want to measure the speed of rotation from an Ice skater. What type of equipment would I need to use? I think a video camera, a bright dot on the skater's chest and some type counter software. That's where I'm really stuck.

To measure the speed of rotation from an ice skater, you're on the right track with your equipment choices! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to set up your experiment:

1. Camera: Use a video camera or a smartphone with a high-speed video recording capability. Make sure the camera is stable and positioned to capture the skater's entire body.

2. Bright Dot: Attach a small, bright dot on the skater's chest using tape or a sticker. You want a dot that stands out clearly and can be easily tracked in the video footage.

3. Recording: Start recording the skater's performance from the moment they begin rotating. It's crucial to ensure that the skater remains in the camera's frame throughout the rotation.

4. Software: After recording, you would need video analysis software to track the movement of the bright dot frame by frame. There are different software options available, some of which can be found online for free while others may require a small purchase. Tracker and LoggerPro are two popular and user-friendly options.

5. Analysis: Use the video analysis software to pinpoint the dot's location in each frame. The software will generate data on the dot's position (x and y coordinates) over time.

6. Calculation: With the recorded position data at each frame, you can calculate the skater's rotational speed. By measuring the angular distance the skater traveled in a given time interval, you'll be able to determine their angular velocity (in degrees per second or radians per second).

Remember, you might need to consider other factors that could affect accuracy, such as camera frame rate and background distractions. Testing the setup in advance and making any necessary adjustments will help ensure precise measurements. Good luck with your science fair project!