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School Physics Notes: Forces & motion 3.2 The ticker tape velocity experiment

GCSE level Physics exam revision notes on Forces & Motion

Part 3.3 Demonstrating the terminal velocity of a moving object experiencing friction resistance using the ticker tape experiment

[Author © Dr Phil Brown PhD: Doc Brown's physics exam revision notes suitable for students of UK IGCSE & GCSE level physics courses, ~ US grades 9-10 physics [updated Mar 22nd 2026 *]

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INDEX for physics notes on acceleration of falling objects, experiments, friction, drag effects, gravity, terminal velocity

3.3 Terminal velocity experiments - ticker tape experiment

(balancing forces - rolling down hill along a running board)

What do we mean by 'terminal velocity? Describe an experiment to illustrate terminal velocity?

Terminal velocity and a trolley - running board experiment

If you set up a running board and let an object like a trolley roll down it, the 'diluted' effect of gravity gets the object to roll down the incline. Need simple diagram to go with graph.

The resistance is due to the friction of the wheels moving on the axles and the contact between the wheels and the running board.

At first it speeds up as the force of gravity exceeds the friction of the trolley movement.

The force of gravity is constant, but as the speed of the trolley increases, so does the effect of friction e.g. the wheels and axle, wheel contact with running board.

Eventually the resistive forces of friction balance the diluted gravity effect and the trolley continues moving at a constant speed.

This final maximum speed is called the terminal velocity.

You can actually demonstrate this with a ticker tape timer experiment (results illustrated above).

You attach a long piece of ticker tape to the trolley and the tape passes through a little 'ticker tape' machine that stamps a dot onto the tape every fraction of a second.

The distance between the dots gives you the relative speed - you can measure it to the nearest mm.

At the start the dots are close together at the lowest speeds, but as the trolley speeds up the distance between the dots increases.

Eventually the dots are evenly spaced at their maximum distance apart showing the terminal velocity of the trolley was reached (first at time T).

I presume you can do a similar experiment with a series of light gates to show the same effect, not as much fun though!

The above example illustrate the idea of terminal velocity, but next we consider objects falling down in a fluid due to the force of gravity (air or a liquid -  see part 3.4).

 

Physics notes index on acceleration of falling objects, experiments, friction, drag effects, gravity, terminal velocity

Key points force and motion: Ticker tape experiment to illustrate terminal velocity

Information sources for Doc Brown's key points: IGCSE-GCSE physics are based on textbooks & syllabus-specifications for students taking the UK AQA, Edexcel, OCR 21st Century Science, OCR Gateway science suite, WJEC, CCEA and CIE GCSE physics 9-1 level science examinations

A structured set of summary revision notes on the ticker tape experiment and terminal velocity, tailored to the major UK GCSE/IGCSE physics exam boards: WJEC, CCEA, CIE, AQA, Edexcel, and OCR. These notes cover essential theory, practical applications, and exam tips to help students master the topic.

Ticker Tape Experiment

Purpose

  • Used to measure motion (speed, acceleration) of a moving object.
  • Demonstrates how velocity changes over time.

How It Works

  • A ticker timer marks dots at regular intervals (e.g. 50 Hz = 50 dots per second).
  • Tape is attached to a moving object (e.g. trolley).
  • As the object moves, the tape passes through the timer, creating a series of dots.

Interpreting the Tape

Dot Spacing Interpretation
Equal spacing Constant velocity
Increasing spacing Acceleration
Decreasing spacing Deceleration

Typical Exam Board Specifications

  • Often used in required practicals to investigate motion and acceleration.
  • May appear in coursework or practical questions.
  • Used to explore Newton’s laws and motion graphs.

Definition of terminal velocity

  • The maximum constant velocity an object reaches when falling through a fluid.
  • Occurs when drag force equals weight—no net force, no further acceleration.

Forces Involved

  • Weight (gravity): Acts downward.
  • Drag (air resistance): Acts upward, increases with speed.
  • Terminal velocity is reached when:
    Weight = Drag force

Velocity-Time Graph

  • Starts with increasing velocity (acceleration).
  • Levels off when terminal velocity is reached (constant speed).

Required Practical Example

  • Dropping paper cake cases from a height and timing their fall.
  • Used to investigate how mass affects terminal velocity.

Typical Exam Board Specification Content

  • Focus on forces in fluids, terminal velocity, and motion graphs.
  • Include drag forces and streamlining.
  • Link terminal velocity to energy loss and efficiency.
  • Often explored through Newton’s laws and free-fall scenarios.

Student Tips for Exams

  • Define clearly: Terminal velocity = constant speed when forces balance.
  • Use diagrams: Force arrows and velocity-time graphs help explain concepts.
  • Revise practicals: Know how to measure motion and interpret ticker tape.
  • Link topics: Newton’s laws, drag force, acceleration, and energy transfer.
  • Use examples: Skydivers, falling objects, and fluid resistance.

Keywords, phrases and learning objectives for the ticker tape experiment on terminal velocity

Be able to describe and explain an experiment to demonstrate terminal velocity of moving object using a ticker tape experiment with a trolley running down an inclined board - know the apparatus, method, and analysing the results from the ticker tape.

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INDEX for physics notes on acceleration of falling objects, experiments, friction, drag effects and terminal velocity

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Physics notes index on acceleration of falling objects, experiments, friction, drag effects, gravity, terminal velocity

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