Apr 20 2016
To teach concepts in forces and motion, many schools utilize low-friction dynamics carts and tracks, and then attach sensors to allow students to collect data from their experiments. PASCO® Scientific, a leader in 21st century science education, today announces a new solution to make quantitative forces and motions experiments for physics and physical science far easier and more affordable: the PASCO Smart Cart.
Unlike any cart before it, the PASCO Smart Cart takes all of the sensor technology previously connected via lengthy wires and embeds it directly into the cart. Its onboard sensors wirelessly transmit position, velocity, acceleration and force data directly to a computer or mobile device via Bluetooth®. Not only does this lower the cost of conducting quantitative experiments, but it provides improved measurements because there are no cords to interfere with experiment outcomes. In addition, the Smart Cart can be used to collect data on or off a track.
Using the Smart Cart, teachers can lead hands-on demonstrations to collect and analyze data for concepts including position and displacement, speed and velocity, one dimensional motion, acceleration, Newton’s laws, friction, kinetic energy, conservation of momentum, elastic and inelastic collisions, conservation of energy, and more.
Priced at $159 for U.S. educators, the Smart Cart takes hundreds of dollars worth of technology and wirelessly integrates it into a single simplified system. The cart is based on a durable ABS body with nearly frictionless wheels. It includes a built-in force sensor that measures forces up to 100N collisions, three-axis accelerometer, built-in motion encoder for measuring position and velocity on or off a track, rubber bumper, magnetic bumper, hook, three-position spring plunger, mass tray, Velcro® tabs, rechargeable battery, and USB port and cable for charging.
The Smart Cart was named a finalist for a prestigious GESS (Global Education Supplies and Solutions) Innovation Product award for 2016.
Source: https://www.pasco.com/