PASCO PS-2128 User Manual

Instruction Manual

Manual No. 012-08279B

Visual

Accelerometer

Model No. PS-2128

Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128

Table of Contents

Equipment List........................................................... 3

Introduction ............................................................. 4

Operation Requirements and Procedures .............................. 4

Turning On the Visual Accelerometer...........................................................................................4

Turning Off the Visual Accelerometer..........................................................................................5

Battery Life and Power..................................................................................................................5

Inserting/Replacing the Batteries...................................................................................................6

Zeroing the Visual Accelerometer.................................................................................................6

Operating the Visual Accelerometer..............................................................................................7

The Visual Acceleration Scale .......................................................................................................7

Selecting a Visual Acceleration Scale ...........................................................................................8

-Full Scale............................................................................................... ...... ...... .......................8

-Manual Scale ............................................................................................................................8

-Auto Scale.................................................................................................................................8

-Peak Hold .................................................................................................................................9

Using the Visual Accelerometer with DataStudio® Software ........ 9

Using the Visual Accelerometer with a PASPORT™ Xplorer ........10

Setup Options ..........................................................11

1) Visual Accelerometer on an Inclined Track............................................................................11

2) Visual Accelerometer with Mass Bars and Picket Fence (Photogate Studies)........................12

3) Visual Accelerometer and Force Sensor (Newton’s Law Studies) ......................................... 12

4) Visual Accelerometer with Fan Accessory (with Time Pulse)................................................13

5) Visual Accelerometer on a Motorized Cart (with Time Pulse)...............................................13

6) Visual Accelerometer with Friction Accessory.......................................................................14

7) Visual Accelerometers on Colliding Carts (Collision Studies)...............................................14

8) Visual Accelerometer and Spring Oscillations........................................................................15

9) Visual Accelerometer and Pendulum (Horizontal Orientation) ..............................................15

10) Visual Accelerometer and Pendulum (Vertical Orientation).................................................16

11) Visual Accelerometer Parallel to Pendulum..........................................................................16

12) Visual Accelerometer Clamped to a Rod Stand....................................................................17

13) Visual Accelerometer Hanging from a Rope.........................................................................18

14) Visual Accelerometer on a Rotating Platform ......................................................................18

Appendix A: Specifications............................................ 19

Appendix B: Troubleshooting .......................................... 20

Appendix C: Technical Support ....................................... 21

Appendix D: Copyright and Warranty Information .................. 22

Model No. PS-2128 Visual Accelerometer

Visual Accelerometer

Model No. PS-2128

Equipment List

Included Equipment Replacement

1. Visual Accelerometer (1)

2. PASPORT™ extension cable, 5.5 feet (1)

3. Batteries, AA size, alkaline (4) (Note: Only 3 are required for operation.)

4. Thumbscrews (4)

Model Number*

PS-2128

514-07281

617-018

*Use Replacement Model Numbers to expedite replacement orders.

NSS

Additional Equipment Recommended

Visual Accelerometer Accessory Kit (See page 11 for an itemized list.) USB link or Xplorer DataStudio software (version 1.6 or later) A USB-compatible computer

NSS = not sold separately from PASCO NA = not available for sale from PASCO

PS-2516

PS-2100 or PS-2000

CI-6870C

Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128

Introduction

The Visual Accelerometer is a sensor designed for visual demonstration of acceleration along a horizontal axis. The Visual Accelerometer can be inserted into the top of any PASCO dynamics cart, PAScar, or GOcar or used by itself for acceleration studies.

Green and red lights on the Accelerometer illuminate to indicate positive or negative increments of acceleration (in either units of m/s/s or g). The scale range and resolution can be controlled through either an auto or manual scale switch. A “Peak Hold” switch allows the user to capture the display of maximum acceleration.

The Visual Accelerometer can also be used with DataStudio software to measure or graph acceleration changes. The Visual Accelerometer is ideal for the study of Newton’s law with carts and tracks, collision experiments, and rotational motion studies.

Operation Requirements and Procedures

Operation Requirements: The Accelerometer requires 3 “AA” alkaline cells and/or USB power . USB operation requires a PASPOR T USB link (PS-2100) and DataStudio software or a PASPORT Xplorer (PS-2000).

Turning on the Visual Accelerometer

Fig. 1a

Step: Push in and release the black button.

Fig. 1b

Green lights

Fig. 1c

red lights

If the Accelerometer is plugged into a USB Link or Xplorer, the battery test (five alternating flashing red and gr een lights) does not occur at turn on.

Result: When you release the button, five green and red lights illuminate and turn off. (Note: At turn on, the alternating of five flashing red and green lights is the battery test, which only occurs during battery operation.)

Model No. PS-2128 Visual Accelerometer

Turning off the Visual Accelerometer

Fig. 2a

Step: Press and hold the black button until two red and two green

Fig. 2b

Result: When you release the button, the sensor turns off.

lights illuminate.

Note: If the unit ever fails to turn on or off using the push-button switch, open the case and remove any battery for a few seconds, then reinstall. The unit should operate normally.

Battery Life and Power

The unit has a internal timer that will automatically turn power off after three hours, even if the unit is being used at the time. To resume operation, just press the black push button (also called the ON/ZERO/ OFF button).

When the unit is powered from a USB port or hub, the unit cannot be turned off and the 3-hour automatic-off feature stops functioning. When you disconnect the unit from USB power , the push button on-of f and auto-off timer functions operate normally.

When the Accelerometer is turned off, it draws only a fraction of a milliamp from the batteries. Under intermittent operating conditions, battery life is 6-9 months (with the batteries installed). If you do not expect to use the unit for several weeks, always remove the batteries; this can increase the battery life to years and reduce the risk of leaky batteries damaging the unit.

Note: Always fasten the V isual Accelerometer to a steady base, such as a dynamics cart, to prevent noise from the LEDs (light-emitting displays).

With battery-powered operation, a battery test occurs every time you turn on the Accelerometer and release the button. If the battery test is okay, you will see the green and red lights turn briefly on and off. (If

the red and gr een lights continue to alternately flash for a few seconds, you have a low battery condition). (Note: If the Accelerometer is

connected to a USB Link or Xplorer and turned on, the battery test does not occur.)

Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128

Inserting/Replacing the Batteries

When the Accelerometer is operating on batteries alone, a battery test is performed when you turn on the unit. When the first red and first green light on each scale alternately flash on and off, you have a low battery condition. To replace the batteries, do the following:

1. Turn the power off and/or disconnect the PASPORT extension cable. CAUTION: In the case of a malfunction, do not tamper with any of

the internal components on the circuit board of the Visual Accelerometer. Refer to the T roubleshooting section (Appendix B) or call Technical Support for assistance or a replacement (See Appendices C and D).

2. Loosen the screws on the underside of the casing.

3. Remove the bottom casing and replace the

batteries in the orientation shown in Figure

3. (Note: The Accelerometer will turn on as the last battery is installed.)

4. Realign the bottom casing with the top

casing. Replace the screws and tighten.

Figure 3

Zeroing the Visual Accelerometer

The Visual Accelerometer was calibrated at the factory and does not require calibration. However, if you plan to use the Visual Accelerometer in an inclined (or other than horizontal position), you should always zero the Accelerometer in the same position that you plan to use during an experiment.

Note: The Visual Accelerometer only measures acceleration measurements in a single plane. If you need to simultaneously measure acceleration in multiple planes, order a PS-2118 or PS-2119 Acceleration Sensor from PASCO.

To zero the sensor:

1. Place the sensor in a resting position (in the same orientation that you

plan to use during the experiment).

2. Press and release the black button on the side of the sensor. (The

sensor requires about one second to complete the zeroing function. Try not to move or jar the sensor during this operation.)

3. To verify the zero, open DataStudio and click the Start button. Your

reading should be zero.

Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128

Operating the Visual Accelerometer

1. a) For standalone use: Remove the case and install the batt erie s.

(See “Replacing the Batteries” on page 6 of this manual.)

b) For use with DataStudio or Xplorer: Connect the receptacle

end of the PASPORT extension cable into the pin connector on the top of the Accelerometer. Connect the plug on the opposite end of the cable to either the USB link or the Xplorer.

2. Press in the black push button to turn on the Visual Accelerometer .

3. Move the scale switch to “Manual Scale.” Use the Full Scale

switch to select a full scale value (1, 5, or 20 m/s/s). (For more information on scaling options, see “Selecting an Acceleration Scale” in this manual.)

4. Use the provided thumb screws to fasten the Accelerometer to the

top of a PAScar, Dynamics Cart or GOcar.

5. Place the Visual Accelerometer in the desired orientation for your

experiment and push in the black button to zero the Accelerometer .

6. Move the cart and watch the display lights illuminate as you

accelerate the car in any direction.

The Visual Acceleration Scale

On the side of the Visual Accelerometer is the visual scale, the green and red light-emitting displays for showing the amount of horizontal acceleration.

negative scale (red)

Figure 4

positive scale (green)

Each light display represents a one-fifth (1/5) division of the maximum on either the positive or negative scale.

+ 16 hidden pages

PASCO PS-2128 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual