Inquiring Minds

How Are Athletes Timed In A Race? (1x14)

Air date: Dec 12, 1999

The history of the stopwatch and analysis of its accuracy. The starter's pistol, the starting block sensors, and the horn in present-day races are used for timing modern races. How a high resolution video camera and computer technology help to determine the runner's finish time in a race - the finish time is the moment when the person's torso crosses the line.