PASCO ME-6962 User Manual
®
Instruction Manual and
PAStrack Systems
Models ME-6961 and ME-6962
Experiment Guide
012-10393B
*012-10393*
PAStrack Systems Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
About the Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Spare Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
About the Experiments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Experiment 1: Conservation of Momentum in Explosions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Experiment 2: Conservation of Momentum in Collisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Experiment 3: Simple Harmonic Oscillator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Experiment 4: Oscillations on an Incline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Experiment 5: Springs in Series and Parallel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Experiment 6: Launch Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Experiment 7: Newton’s Second Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Experiment 8: Acceleration Down an Incline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Additional Experiment Suggestions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
PAStrack Systems
®
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3
4
5
6
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1
Included Equipment Quantity Replacement Part Number
1. PAScars 2 ME-6950 (set of 2 with masses)
2. 250 g Stackable Cart Masses 2 ME-6756
3. Adjustable End Stops 2 ME-8971 (2-pack)
ME-6962
4. PAStrack 1 ME-6960
ME-6961
5. Pivot Clamp 1 ME-9810
6. Spring Set 1 set of 12 ME-8999
7. Super Pulley with Clamp 1 ME-9448A
Introduction
PASCO PAStrack Systems include equipment for a variety of experiments and demonstrations. You can expand
your system with other PASCO products—both traditional and computer-based—for a greater range of uses.
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PAStrack Systems About the Equipment
PAS t r a ck Pa r t s
1: Connector 2: Connector screws 3: Release tabs
4: Lock nut 3: Foot
This manual contains descriptions of the equipment included in the various systems,
complete instructions for nine experiments, and ten additional experiment suggestions.
About the Equipment
PAS tr ack The PAStrack consists of two sections that can be
joined together with the included connector and split apart for
storage. Together the two sections form a 1 m track. An extra connector is included, allowing any number of tracks to be joined
together.
1
To assemble the track:
1. Slide a connector piece into the “50 cm” end of one track section. Push it hard until you hear it snap.
2. Slide the other track section onto the connector piece. Push it
until it snaps.
3. Turn the track upside down and tighten the screws on the connector.
To level the track:
1. Set the track upright on a level surface.
2. Place a cart on the track to test it for level.
3. Adjust the feet to make the track straight and level.
4. Tighten the locknut of each foot.
To disassemble the track:
1. Loosen the connector screws.
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2
4
5
2. Press and hold the release tabs on the bottom of the track.
3. Pull the track sections apart.
For more information, see the instruction sheet packaged with the track.
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PAStrack Systems About the Equipment
1
2
Plunger Cart
1: Push plunger in.
2: Press button to trigger.
1
3
2
4
Cart Features
1: Slots 2: Threaded
inserts 3: Bumpers
4: Attachment points
Cart Masses
1
2
3
4
Adjustable End Stop
1: Slide tab into T-slot on side of track. 2: Tighten
thumbscrew to secure end stop. 3: Magnets repel
cart’s magnetic bumper 4: Spring attachment stud
PAS ca rs These carts run along the track on low-friction wheels.
Each cart includes a spring-loaded plunger that launches the cart off of an end stop or
another cart. Push the plunger in to the first, second, or third “click” (for a slow,
medium, or fast launch). To make the plunger pop out, press the trigger button. When
the plunger is not in use, push it all the way in to the fourth position for storage.
For elastic and inelastic collisions, both carts have hook-and-loop bumpers on one
end and magnetic bumpers on the other end. When the hook-and-loop bumpers collide, the carts stick to each other. When the magnetic bumpers collide, the carts repel
each other without touching. The magnetic bumpers also repel the magnets in the end
stops.
The top or each cart forms a tray designed to hold the included masses. The carts also
feature threaded inserts for attaching accessories and sensors, and slots for holding a
picket fence (such as PASCO part ME-9804) or the included angle indicator.
At each end are two attachment points for connecting a string or spring.
For more information, see the manual packaged with the PAScars.
Cart Masses These masses are designed to be placed on the upper tray of a cart.
Adjustable End Stops Attach the end stops to the track
as illustrated. The end stops contain magnets to repel the magnetic bumper of a cart. A stud is provided as an attachment
point for a spring.
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PAStrack Systems Spare Parts
Harmonic Spring
Pivot Clamp
T- s lo t
Harmonic Springs (Part of ME-6961.) Ideal for studying
harmonic oscillation of carts on a flat or inclined track, these
springs hook onto holes at the ends of the carts and to studs on
top of the end stops.
The spring set includes 12 springs with approximate spring
constants of 3.4 N/m (three long springs and three shorts
springs) and 6.8 N/m (three long springs and three shorts
springs).
Pivot Clamp (Part of ME-6961.) Attach the pivot clamp to the T-slot of the track
(as illustrated) to elevate one end of the track on a vertical rod.
Super Pulley with Clamp (Part of ME-6961.) This low-friction, low-inertia pulley is designed for clamping onto the end of the track. Tie a string to the hole in the
end of the cart an run it over the pulley. Adjust the height of the pulley to make the
string parallel to the track.
The pulley can also be mounted in the lower position as illustrated. Tie the string to
the opposite end of the cart and wrap it underneath the cart. In the lower position, the
string can be run under an end stop, another cart, or a motion sensor.
Super Pulley with string in normal position (left) and lower position (right)
Spare Parts
You can order any of the major components of the system using the part numbers
listed in the table on page 3. For an assortment of smaller parts, the following kits are
available.
IDS Spares Kit (ME-9823) This kit includes assorted thumbscrews, square nuts,
and harmonic springs.
For help identifying a part, contact PASCO technical support (see page 28).
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PAStrack Systems About the Experiments
About the Experiments
These eight experiments can be done with the equipment included in the system and
other equipment commonly found in introductory physics labs. See each experiment
for a specific equipment list.
1. Conservation of Momentum in Explosions (page 8): Demonstrate conservation
of momentum when two carts push off from each other.
2. Conservation of Momentum in Collisions (page 10): Demonstrate conservation of momentum in elastic and inelastic collisions.
3. Simple Harmonic Oscillator (page 12): Study how the period of oscillation of a
system varies with its mass.
4. Oscillations on an Incline (page 15): Study the oscillation of a cart attached to a
spring on an inclined track.
5. Springs in Series and Parallel (page 18): Examine how springs combined in
different ways affect the period of oscillation of a cart.
6. Launch Speed (page 20): Show qualitatively how the final speed of the plunger
cart depends on its mass and the initial compression of the plunger spring.
7. Newton’s Second Law (page 21): Show quantitatively how the acceleration of a
cart is related its mass and net force.
8. Acceleration Down an Incline (page 23): Determine the strength of earth’s
gravity (g) by measuring the acceleration of a cart on an inclined track.
Additional Experiment Suggestions (page 26): Many of these suggestions are variations on the above experiments. Some require additional carts.
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PAStrack Systems Experiment 1: Conservation of Momentum in Explosions
pm1v1m2v
2
–0==
v
1
v
2
-----
m
1
m
2
------
=
v
1
v
2
-----
x
1
t
---------
x
2
t
---------
---------------
x
1
x
2
---------
==
x
1
x
2
---------
m
1
m
2
------
=
Experiment 1: Conservation of Momentum in Explosions
Required Equipment from PAStrack System
PA St r a ck
(2) End Stops
(2) PAScars
Cart Masses
Other Required Equipment Suggested Model Number
Mass set ME-9348
Purpose
The purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate conservation of momentum with
two carts pushing away from each other.
Theory
When two carts push away from each other (and there is no net force on the system),
the total momentum is conserved. If the system is initially at rest, the final momentum
of the two carts must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to each other so
the resulting total momentum of the system is zero:
Therefore, the ratio of the final speeds of the carts is equal to the ratio of the masses of
the carts.
To simplify this experiment, the starting point for the carts at rest is chosen so that the
two carts will reach the ends of the track simultaneously. The speed, which is the distance divided by the time, can be determined by measuring the distance traveled since
the time traveled by each cart is the same.
Thus the ratio of the distances is equal to the ratio of the masses:
Procedure
1. Level the track. Install one end stop at each end with the magnetic sides facing
away from the carts.
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PAStrack Systems Experiment 1: Conservation of Momentum in Explosions
Figure 1.1
2. For each of the cases in Table 1.1, place the two carts against each other with the
plunger of one cart pushed completely in and latched in its maximum position
(see Figure 1.1).
3. Tap the plunger release button with a short stick and watch the two carts move to
the ends of the track. Experiment with different starting positions until the two
carts reach the ends of the track at the same time. Measure the masses of the
carts. Record the masses and the starting position in Table 1.1.
Table 1.1: Results
Additional
Mass on
Cart 1
00
500 g 0
1000 g 0
500 250
Additional
Mass on
Cart 2
m
1
m
2
Starting
Position
x
1
Data Analysis
1. For each of the cases, calculate the distances traveled from the starting position to
the end of the track. Record the result in Table 1.1.
2. Calculate the ratio of the distances traveled and record in the table.
3. Calculate the ratio of the masses and record in the table.
Questions
1. Does the ratio of the distances equal the ratio of the masses in each of the cases?
In other words, is momentum conserved?
x
2
x1/x
2
m2/m
1
2. When carts of unequal masses push away from each other, which cart has more
momentum?
3. When the carts of unequal masses push away from each other, which cart has
more kinetic energy?
4. Is the starting position dependent on which cart has the plunger? Why?
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