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GCSE Combined Science · key term
A device that detects when an object interrupts a light beam, allowing its motion to be timed electronically.
Used by Edexcel
Paper 5, Paper 6
Revise: Speed, distance–time graphs and measuring speedA light gate contains a light beam and a detector. A flag attached to a moving trolley interrupts the beam as it passes. Electronic timing avoids the human reaction time involved in starting and stopping a stopwatch.
With one light gate, use the flag length; with two light gates, use the distance between the gates.
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