The simplest approach yet to this basic experiment in mechanics. By squeezing the “ears” of the release unit the ball bearing is released and the circuit connections to a timer are broken at the same instant. The base unit is a sensitive microswitch “trapdoor” giving either make or break contacts at the moment of impact.
No power supplies are required, just a sensitive millisecond timer with any START and STOP triggering.
Connections by 4mm leads.
See millisecond timer below.