PASCO SPARKvue User Manual

User's Guide

Version 2.0

Document Number: 012-11074D

SPARKvue®

User's Guide

SPARKvue disclaimers

Document Number: 012-11074D

Version 2.0

Limited Warranty

Fora description ofthe productwarranty,see the PASCOcatalog.

Copyright

This user’s guide is copyrighted with all rights reserved. Permission is granted to nonprofiteducational institutions forreproduction ofany partofthis manual,providing the reproductions are used only in theirlaboratories and classrooms,and are notsold for profit. Reproduction underany othercircumstances,withoutthe written consentof PASCOscientific,is prohibited.

Trademarks

PASCO,PASCOscientific,DataStudio,PASPORT,SPARK,SPARK Science Learning System,SPARKlab,SPARKbook,SPARKvue,Xplorer,and XplorerGLX are trademarks orregistered trademarks ofPASCOscientific,in the United States and/orin othercountries. All otherbrands,products,orservice names are ormay be trademarks orservice marks of,and are used to identify products orservices oftheirrespective owners. For more information visit www.pasco.com/legal.

Software Licenses

All required licenses forsoftware components ofSPARKvue and the SPARK Science Learning Systemcan be found on the CD-ROMorDVD-ROMincluded with the product orare included in the software download. To obtain source code forGPL/LGPL licensed software components,contactPASCOatby phone at1-800-772-8700 (in the U.S),[phone] (worldwide),orby email [e-mail]

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SPARKvue®

Teacher and Technical Support

Teacher and Technical Support

Forhelp with SPARKvue and otherPASCOproducts,you can contactPASCOTeacher and Technical Supportstaffby phone,email,oron the Web.

	Phone:	1-800-772-8700 (in the U.S.)
		[phone] (worldwide)
	Email:	[e-mail]
	Web:	www.pasco.com/support/
	Tech Notes:	www.pasco.com/support/technical-support/technote/

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	SPARKvue®	User's Guide
Contents
SPARKvue disclaimers			i
Teacher and Technical Support			ii
Contents			iii
1	Introduction		1
	AboutSPARKvue		1
	Getting started		1
2	Starting an experiment		2
	Installing SPARKvue		2
	Launching SPARKvue		2
	Connecting an interface and sensors to yourcomputer		2
	SPARK Science Learning System		3
	Connecting a SPARK Science Learning Systemto yourcomputer		3
	Connecting sensors to the SPARKvue		4
	Connecting PASPORT sensors to the SPARK SLS		4
	Connecting a temperature probe to the SPARK SLS		4
	Connecting a voltage probe to the SPARK SLS		4
	XplorerGLX		5
	Connecting the XplorerGLX to yourcomputer		5
	Connecting sensors to the XplorerGLX		5
	Connecting PASPORT sensors to the GLX		5
	Connecting temperature probes to the GLX		5
	Connecting a voltage probe to the GLX		6
	Xplorerdatalogger		6
	PowerLink		6
	USB Link		6
	Connecting a bluetooth device		6
	iPad		7
	Android		7
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SPARKvue®	User's Guide
Mac and Windows	7
Connecting multiple interfaces to yourcomputer	8
Monitoring live data	8
Moving on fromthe Home screen	8
Opening a SPARKlab	9
Showing a SPARKlab	9
Building a SPARKlab	10
A. Fromthe Home screen create a new SPARKlab:	10
B. Within a SPARKlab add a new page:	10
Add additional pages:	11
3 Setting up an experiment	12
Customizing data collection	12
Setting the sample rate	12
Putting SPARKvue into periodic sampling mode	12
Putting SPARKvue into manual sampling mode	13
Setting an automatic stop condition	13
Customizing how numbers are displayed	14
Setting the numberofdecimal places displayed	14
Setting the numberofsignificantfigures displayed	14
Displaying numbers in scientific notation	15
Changing the units ofa measurement	15
Changing the units ofa measurementin an existing display	15
Changing the defaultunits ofa measurement	16
Calibrating sensors	16
Selecting a measurementto calibrate and a calibration type	16
Performing a calibration	17
Performing a 2-pointcalibration	17
Performing a 1-pointoffset-only calibration	18
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	SPARKvue®	User's Guide
	Performing a 1-pointslope-only calibration	18
	Calibrating a Drop Countsensor(example)	18
	Using sensoradapters	19
	Connecting a sensorthrough a Digital AdapterorPhotogate Port	19
	Connecting a sensorthrough an Analog Adapter	20
4	Data recording	21
	Recording a run ofperiodically sampled data	21
	Recording a setofmanually sampled data	21
	Deleting data runs	22
5	Data display	23
	Displaying data in a line graph	23
	Creating a new line graph	23
	A. Fromthe Home screen create a new SPARKlab:	23
	B. Within a SPARKlab add a new page:	23
	Showing and hiding the line graph tool palette	25
	Adjusting the scale ofa line graph	25
	Scaling a graph to fitall data	25
	Scaling by directmanipulation	26
	Selecting data to show in an existing line graph	26
	Showing and hiding data runs in a graph	26
	Changing the variable on the x- ory-axis	27
	Selecting data foroperation in a line graph	28
	Selecting a data run foroperation in a line graph	28
	Selecting partofa data run foroperation in a line graph	28
	Annotating data in a line graph	30
	Adding an annotation	30
	Editing ordeleting an annotation	31
	Displaying data in a Multiple y-axis graph	31
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SPARKvue®	User's Guide
Creating a multiple y-axes line graph		31
A. Fromthe Home screen create a new SPARKlab:		31
B. Within a SPARKlab add a new page:		32
Working with multiple y-axes		34
Displaying data in a bargraph		34
Creating a new bargraph		34
A. Fromthe Home screen create a new SPARKlab:		34
B. Within a SPARKlab add a new page:		34
Showing and hiding the bargraph tool palette		36
Showing data in bargraphs		36
Adding bars and barnames in bargraphs		36
Editing bars and barnames in bargraphs		37
Adding data in bargraphs		37
Entering data into bargraph manually		38
Collecting data forbargraph using a sensor		38
Adding additional data runs to a bargraph		38
Adding additional data runs to a bargraph using sensorreadings		39
Showing and hiding data runs in a bargraph		39
Selecting data foroperation in a bargraph		40
Annotating data in bargraphs		40
Adding annotations to bars		41
Editing ordeleting annotations to bars		41
Showing numeric values on bars		42
Viewing bargraphs		42
Scrolling a bargraph		43
Scaling a bargraph to show all data		43
Scaling a bargraph by expanding orcompressing the axes		43
Customizing axes labels and units on bargraphs		44
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SPARKvue®	User's Guide
Displaying data in a table	44
Creating a table	44
A. Fromthe Home screen create a new SPARKlab:	44
B. Within a SPARKlab add a new page:	45
Showing and hiding the table tool palette	46
Scrolling a table	46
Selecting data to show in an existing table	47
Selecting a run fordisplay in an existing column	47
Changing the variable displayed in an existing column	47
Adding a column	48
Removing a column	48
Selecting cells foroperation in a table	49
Displaying data in a digits display	50
Creating a new digits display	50
A. Fromthe Home screen create a new SPARKlab:	50
B. Within a SPARKlab add a new page:	51
Showing and hiding the digits display tool palette	52
Changing the variable in a digits display	52
Displaying data in a meter	52
Creating a new meter	53
A. Fromthe Home screen create a new SPARKlab:	53
B. Within a SPARKlab add a new page:	53
Showing and hiding the metertool palette	54
Adjusting the scale ofa meter	54
Scaling a meterto fitall data	55
Setting the scale ofa meter	55
Changing the variable displayed in a meter	55
Customizing the appearance ofa meter	56
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SPARKvue®	User's Guide
6 Image capture	57
Connecting a camera orothervideo device	57
Creating a new camera image	57
A. Fromthe Home screen create a new SPARKlab:	57
B. Within a SPARKlab add a new page:	58
Displaying a camera image	58
Fromthe Home screen	58
Fromwithin a SPARKlab	59
Showing and hiding the image tool palette	59
Capturing a camera image	60
Switching between live and captured camera images	60
Selecting a captured camera image fordisplay	61
Adjusting the scale and position ofa camera image	61
Zooming in	61
Zooming out	62
Scale to fit	62
Panning a camera image	62
Measuring in a camera image	62
Placing a Measurementtool	62
Moving a Measurementtool	63
Deleting a Measurementtool	64
Calibrating camera image measurements	64
Drawing on a camera image	65
Drawing	66
Erasing	66
Erasing all	67
Annotating a camera image	67
Adding an annotation	68
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SPARKvue®	User's Guide
Moving an annotation	69
Editing an annotation	69
Deleting an annotation	69
Naming an image	70
Deleting and Renaming an image	70
Exporting an image	71
7 Data analysis	72
Analyzing data in a graph	72
Viewing statistics in a line graph	72
Applying a curve fit	74
Removing a curve fit	75
Drawing a prediction	75
Finding the x- and y-values ofa point	75
Finding the x- and y-difference between two points	77
Finding the slope ata pointon a data plot	78
Finding the correlation coefficient(r)	79
Displaying the RMSE Root-Mean-Square Error	81
Analyzing data in a multiple-y axes graph	82
Viewing Statistics in a bargraph	82
Viewing statistics in a table	83
Viewing statistics in a digits display	85
Viewing statistics in a meter	86
8 Calculations and manually entered data	88
Working with calculations	88
Opening the calculatorscreen	88
Creating a calculation	88
Displaying a calculation	89
Entering data manually	90
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	SPARKvue®	User's Guide
	Opening the measurements list	90
	View the available measurements	90
	View the available User-entered Data	91
	Creating a data setformanual entry	91
	Creating a data setformanually entered numbers	91
	Creating a data setformanually entered text	91
	Preparing a table formanual data entry	91
	Entering data into a manual data set	92
	Displaying manually entered data	92
	Editing manually entered data	93
	EnterUser-defined Data	93
9	Building SPARKlab pages	94
	Starting a new SPARKlab page	94
	A. Fromthe Home screen create a new SPARKlab:	94
	B. Within a SPARKlab add a new page:	94
	Aboutadding elements to a SPARKlab page	95
	Removing orreplacing an image ormedia file	95
	Adding a background image	96
	Deleting a SPARKlab page	96
10	Saving and sharing	98
	Saving a SPARKlab (Locally and Online)	98
	To save yourwork locally:	98
	To save yourwork using Online Storage Services:	98
	Printing a lab	99
	Exporting data	99
	Opening a saved lab	100
	Using Online Storage Services	100
	Log in to Online Storage Services	100
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	SPARKvue®	User's Guide
	Open a file fromOnline Storage Services	101
	Save a file to Online Storage Services	101
11	Keeping a journal	102
	Taking a snapshot	102
	Opening the journal	102
	Adding a caption to a snapshotorediting an existing caption	103
	Navigating in the journal	103
	Deleting a journal entry orsnapshot	103
	Rearranging journal entries	103
	Closing the journal	103
	Saving a journal	104
	Printing a journal	104
12	Common tasks	105
	Turning pages	105
	Returning to the Home screen	105
	Entering symbols and Greek letters	105
	Opening the AboutSPARKvue screen	106
	Setting the language	106

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SPARKvue®	1 Introduction
	About SPARKvue

1 Introduction

n"About SPARKvue": 1

n"Getting started": 1

n"Teacher and Technical Support": ii

About SPARKvue

SPARKvue software combines multimedia curriculum,real-time data collection,and powerful scientific analysis tools in an easy-to-use,icon-based userinterface. SPARKvue is compatible with all PASCOPASPORT sensors and interfaces.

SPARKvue is designed to become the centerofyourschool's discovery-based science learning environment,providing both teacherand studentthe embedded supportfor exploring scientific concepts.

SPARKvue includes free pre-installed SPARKlabs™ — standards-based guided inquiry labs in a unique electronic notebook format. These SPARKlabs integrate background content,data collection and analysis,even assessment —all within the same environment. Everything you need is rightthere in context.

Getting started

There are three basic ways to startan investigation in SPARKvue.

nOpen an embedded SPARKlab and follow the on-screen instructions

nShow a SPARKlab with one measurementin a graph,table,digits display,and meter

nBuild a customSPARKlab with yourchoice ofdata,displays,text,and pictures

To startlearning SPARKvue,install the software,connectan interface to yourcomputer, plug in a sensor,and startthe software fromthe desktop icon. Ifyou need help doing a task,you'll find step-by-step instructions in this guide.

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2	Starting an experiment
SPARKvue®	Installing SPARKvue

2Starting an experiment

1."Installing SPARKvue": 2

2."Launching SPARKvue": 2

3."Connecting an interface and sensors to yourcomputer": 2

4."Monitoring live data": 8

Installing SPARKvue

1.Download SPARKvue from www.pasco.com/sparkvue/ orinsertthe SPARKvue USB drive into yourcomputer.

2.Follow the instructions provided with the download orUSB drive to complete the installation.

Launching SPARKvue

Click the SPARKvue icon to launch SPARKvue.

Connecting an interface and sensors to your computer

SPARKvue software running on yourcomputerormobile device receives data fromone ormore connected orbuilt-in sensors. In SPARKvue,sensors thatare builtinto a computerordevice are called Onboard sensors,such as Onboard Microphone,Onboard LightSensor,and so forth.

SPARKvue is compatible with mostcommon onboard sensors as well as several types ofexternal interfaces thatprovide access to sensors,including AirLink 2,SPARKLink, SPARKLink Air,SPARK Science Learning System,USBLink,and XplorerGLX. To collectdata with SPARKvue,you will need a computerormobile device with atleastone onboard sensororbe connected to an external interface with sensors attached.

You can connectmultiple interfaces to one computerin orderto do an experimentthat requires more sensors than can be connected to a single interface. The interfaces can be ofthe same type ordifferenttypes.

Use the following links to find instructions forconnecting interfaces and sensors to your computerormobile device.

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n"SPARK Science Learning System": 3

n"Xplorer GLX": 5

n"Xplorer datalogger": 6

n"PowerLink": 6

n"USB Link": 6

n"Connecting a bluetooth device": 6

n"Connecting multiple interfaces to your computer": 8

SPARK Science Learning System

The SPARK Science Learning System(SPARK)includes ports fortwo PASPORT sensors,a temperature probe,and a voltage probe. When itis notconnected to a computer,the device records data and displays iton its own screen;however,when connected to a computer,itpasses data through to be recorded and displayed on the computer. Itis powered eitherby its AC adapter,orby its rechargeable battery.

n"Connecting a SPARK Science Learning System to your computer": 3

n"Connecting sensors to the SPARKvue": 4

Connecting a SPARK Science Learning System to your computer

1.Use an A-to-mini-B USB cable (such as PASCOpartPS-2528)to connectthe smallerUSB portofthe SPARK to a USB porton yourcomputer(ora USB hub connected to the computer).

2.Connectthe AC adapter(included with the SPARK)to a wall outletand to the AC adapterporton the bottomofthe SPARK.

You can skip this step ifthe SPARK battery is charged and you wish to letitrun on battery power.

3.Press and hold the powerbutton. The SPARK turns on and boots up. AC adapterport. Powerbutton.

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SPARKvue®	2 Starting an experiment
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Connecting sensors to the SPARKvue

PASPORT ports. Temperature port. Voltage port.

You can use up to two PASPORT sensors plus a temperature probe and a voltage probe.

Complete one ormore ofthe following tasks to connectsensors to the SPARK.

n"Connecting PASPORT sensors to the SPARK SLS": 4

n"Connecting a temperature probe to the SPARK SLS": 4

n"Connecting a voltage probe to the SPARK SLS": 4

Connecting PASPORT sensors to the SPARK SLS

1.Plug a PASPORT sensorinto one ofthe PASPORT ports on the top ofthe SPARK SLS.

2.Optionally,plug a second PASPORT sensorinto the otherPASPORT port.

Connecting a temperature probe to the SPARK SLS

Plug the included fast-response temperature probe (orothertype oftemperature probe) into the temperature porton the top ofthe SPARK SLS.

Connecting a voltage probe to the SPARK SLS

Plug the included voltage probe into the voltage porton the top ofthe SPARK SLS.

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SPARKvue®	2 Starting an experiment
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Xplorer GLX

The XplorerGLX includes ports forfourPASPORT sensors,two temperature probes, and a voltage probe. When itis notconnected to a computer,the device records data and displays iton its own screen;however,when connected to a computer,itpasses data through to be recorded and displayed on the computer. Itis powered eitherby its AC adapter,orby its rechargeable battery.

n"Connecting the Xplorer GLX to your computer": 5

n"Connecting sensors to the Xplorer GLX": 5

Connecting the Xplorer GLX to your computer

1.Use USB cable (included with the GLX)to connectthe smallerUSB portofthe GLX to a USB porton yourcomputer(ora USB hub connected to the computer).

2.Connectthe included AC adapterto a wall outletand to the AC adapterporton the rightside ofthe GLX.

You can skip this step ifthe GLX’s battery is charged and you wish to letitrun on battery power.

3.Press and hold the powerbutton.

4.The GLX turns on and boots up. IfSPARKvue is running,the GLX screen displays a message indicating thatitis connected.

Connecting sensors to the Xplorer GLX

You can use up to fourPASPORT sensors plus two temperature probes and a voltage probe.

Complete one ormore ofthe following tasks to connectsensors to the GLX.

n"Connecting PASPORT sensors to the GLX": 5

n"Connecting temperature probes to the GLX": 5

n"Connecting a voltage probe to the GLX": 6

Connecting PASPORT sensors to the GLX

1.Plug a PASPORT sensorinto one ofthe PASPORT ports on the top ofthe GLX.

2.Optionally,plug additional PASPORT sensors into the otherPASPORT ports.

Connecting temperature probes to the GLX

1.Plug one ofthe included fast-response temperature probes (oranothertype oftemperature probe)into one ofthe temperature ports on the leftside ofthe GLX.

2.Optionally,plug a second temperature probe into the othertemperature port.

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SPARKvue®	2 Starting an experiment
	Connecting an interface and sensors to your computer

Connecting a voltage probe to the GLX

Plug the included voltage probe into the voltage porton the leftside ofthe GLX.

Xplorer datalogger

The Xplorerdataloggercontains a single portfora PASPORT sensor. When itis notconnected to a computer,the device records data and displays iton its own screen;however,when connected to a computer,itpasses data through to be recorded and displayed on the computer. When connected to a computer,itis powered by the USB port,and itdoes notrequire batteries.

1.Use the included USB cable to connectthe Xplorerto a USB porton yourcomputer(ora powered USB hub connected to the computer).

2.Connecta PASPORT sensorto the Xplorer.

PowerLink

The PowerLink contains ports forup to three PASPORT sensors. Italso includes two USB ports thatotherinterfaces can be connected to. Itis powered by its AC adapter,or by replaceable batteries.

1.Connectthe AC adapter(included with the PowerLink)to a wall outletand to the AC adapterporton the back ofthe PowerLink,orinstall two “C”batteries in the PowerLink.

2.Use the included USB cable to connectthe PowerLink to a USB porton yourcomputer(ora USB hub connected to the computer).

3.Connectup to three PASPORT sensors to the PowerLink.

USB Link

The USB Link contains a single portfora PASPORT sensor.

1.Connectthe USB Link to a USB porton yourcomputer(ora powered USB hub connected to the computer).

2.Connecta PASPORT sensorto the USB Link.

Connecting a bluetooth device

The bluetooth device can connectto only one hostata time and mustremain within approximately 10 meters. (An errormessage displays ifthe device is already connected to anothersystem.)

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SPARKvue®	2 Starting an experiment
	Connecting an interface and sensors to your computer

The AirLink2 and SPARKlink Aircan also connectvia USB.

Note:Ifprompted,enterpass code "1234" forSPARKlink Airdevices.

iPad

1.Use the standard iPad process to pairthe PASCObluetooth device.

2.Connectsensors as needed.

Android

1.Use the standard Android process to pairthe PASCObluetooth device.

2.Continue to step 1 ofthe Mac and Windows process.

Mac and Windows

To connect a device (no pairing necessary)

1.Turn on the AirLink2,SPARKlink Airorothersupported bluetooth device.

2.Click the DeviceTools button to open the Device Tools screen.

3.Click the ConnectSensorviaBluetooth button.

SPARKvue searches foravailable bluetooth sensors and lists the supported devices within range.

Note:In a classroomsetting,there may be many devices available forconnection. To ensure you are connecting with the correctPASCOdevice,check the back for its identification number.

Note:Ifthe device is notlisted,pairthe device using the standard Mac orWindows process before continuing.

4.Click Connect.

The selected device will change from Connect to Disconnectupon successful connection.

5.Click OK twice to close the Device Tools screen.

6.Optional:plug in sensors into the bluetooth interface.

To disconnect a device

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2	Starting an experiment
SPARKvue®	Monitoring live data

1.Click the DeviceTools button to open the Device Tools screen.

2.Click the ConnectSensorviaBluetooth button.

3.Click Disconnect.

The selected device will change from Disconnect to Connect upon successful connection.

4.Click OK twice to close the Device Tools screen.

Connecting multiple interfaces to your computer

nIfthe computerhas enough available USB ports,connecteach interface to a USB on the computer.

nIfthe computerhas only one available USB port,connecta powered USB hub to the computer,and connectthe interfaces to the hub.

nIfatleastone ofthe interfaces is a PowerLink,you can connectthe PowerLink to the computerand connecttwo additional interfaces to the USB ports on the back ofthe PowerLink.

Monitoring live data

Live data fromall connected sensors are displayed wheneverthe Home screen is open.

The Home screen is the firstscreen thatappears when SPARKvue starts.

Ifthe Home screen is notvisible,click the Home button to return to the Home screen.

Moving on from the Home screen

With the Home screen displayed,you are ready to move into a SPARKlab. A SPARKlab is a multiple page environmentwhere yourscience investigation takes place.

Complete one ofthe following tasks to open an embedded SPARKlab,show a measurementin a SPARKlab,orbuild a customSPARKlab.

n"Opening a SPARKlab": 9

n"Showing a SPARKlab": 9

n"Building a SPARKlab": 10

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SPARKvue®	2 Starting an experiment
	Moving on from the Home screen

Opening a SPARKlab

SPARKvue includes embedded SPARKlabs. Additional no-costlabs are available from PASCO. Complete these steps to open a SPARKlab:

1.Connectthe sensors required forthe SPARKlab thatyou wish to do.

2.Ifthere are unneeded sensors connected,disconnectthem.

3.In the SPARKlabs pane,navigate to the foldercontaining the SPARKlab thatyou would like to open.

4.Click a SPARKlab to preview.

The lab preview opens in the rightpane.

5.Click the preview to open the lab. The SPARKlab opens.

Follow the on-screen instructions to continue yourscience investigation.

6.Click the PageNavigator to turn pages.

Showing a SPARKlab

A show-path SPARKlab is the fastestway to record data and display itin a graph,table, digits display,and meter.

Complete these steps to show a SPARKlab:

1.Connecta sensor.

2.In the Home screen,click the measurementthatyou would like to show. The selected measurementis highlighted.

3.Click Show.

Note:A measurementmustbe selected for Show to be available. A four-page SPARKlab opens.

4.Click the Start button to record data.

Click the PageNavigator to see yourdata in the differentdisplays.

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SPARKvue®	2 Starting an experiment
	Moving on from the Home screen

Building a SPARKlab

When you build a customSPARKlab,you design each page with yourchoice ofmeasurements and displays. You can also add textand pictures.

Connecta sensor(orsensors)and complete these steps to startbuilding a SPARKlab.

A. From the Home screen create a new SPARKlab:

Touch Build.

Continue to step 1.

B. Within a SPARKlab add a new page:

Touch the NewPage button.

Continue to step 1.

1. Selecta template fromthe library.

Scroll up and down to view templates

2. Touch a display type foreach placeholder.

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	SPARKvue®	2	Starting an experiment
		Moving on from the Home screen
	Line	Digits	Table
	Graph
	BarGraph	Meter	Camera
	Media	Text	Assess-
			ment

3.ForTextBoxes:Type in textinto the TextBox.

4.ForCameras:Touch the ImageTools button. See Capturing a camera image.

5.Forotherdata displays:Selectthe data foreach display on the page.

a.Touch the display data label(s),forexample: SelectMeasurement, X-AxisVari- able,Y-Axis Variable, SelectaMediaFile,Add an Assessment

or

b.Open the display properties and selectthe data.

i.Touch the DisplayTools button nearthe lowerorupperleftcornerofthe display.

ii.Touch the Properties button.

Add additional pages:

Repeatedly click the NewPage button to add pages to yourSPARKlab.

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SPARKvue®	3 Setting up an experiment
	Customizing data collection

3 Setting up an experiment

n"Customizing data collection": 12

n"Customizing how numbers are displayed": 14

n"Calibrating sensors": 16

n"Using sensor adapters": 19

Customizing data collection

You can startrecording data using the defaultsettings,orcomplete one ormore ofthe following tasks to change the sampling rate orsampling mode.

n"Setting the sample rate": 12

n"Putting SPARKvue into periodic sampling mode": 12

n"Putting SPARKvue into manual sampling mode": 13

n"Setting an automatic stop condition": 13

Setting the sample rate

With SPARKvue in periodic sampling mode (the defaultmode),complete these steps to sethow many data points are recorded each second orhow much time elapses between data points:

1.Click the SamplingOptions button.

2.The Sampling Options screen opens.

3.Click the SampleRate box and click a value.

4.Click the SampleRateUnit box and click Hz, seconds, minutes,or hours.

5.Click OK.

Putting SPARKvue into periodic sampling mode

In periodic sampling mode (the defaultmode,sometimes known as “continuous”mode), SPARKvue records data points atregularintervals. IfSPARKvue is in manual sampling mode,complete these steps to putitinto periodic sampling mode:

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SPARKvue®	3 Setting up an experiment
	Customizing data collection

1.Click the SamplingOptions button.

The Sampling Options screen opens.

2.Click Periodic.

3.Click OK.

Putting SPARKvue into manual sampling mode

In manual sampling mode,a single value fromeach measurementis recorded each time you manually triggerSPARKvue. Complete these steps to putSPARKvue into manual sampling mode:

1.Click the SamplingOptions button.

The Sampling Options screen opens.

2.Click Manual.

3.Click OK.

Setting an automatic stop condition

When a stop condition is set,SPARKvue automatically stops recording data aftera set time interval.

Complete these steps to seta stop condition:

1.Click the SamplingOptions button.

The Sampling Options screen opens.

2.Under AutomaticStopCondition:,click the Condition: box and click Stopafter duration.

3.Click the Value box and entera time value.

4.Click the Units box and click units oftime.

5.Click OK.

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SPARKvue®	3 Setting up an experiment
	Customizing how numbers are displayed

Customizing how numbers are displayed

n"Setting the number of decimal places displayed": 14

n"Setting the number of significant figures displayed": 14

n"Displaying numbers in scientific notation": 15

n"Changing the units of a measurement": 15

Setting the number of decimal places displayed

1.Click the ExperimentTools button.

The ExperimentTools screen opens.

2.Click DataProperties.

The Data Properties screen opens.

3.Click the Measurement box and click a measurementorothervariable.

4.Click the NumberStyle box and click FixedPrecision.

5.Click the Digits box and selectthe numberofdigits to be displayed afterthe decimal point.

6.Click OK.

Setting the number of significant figures displayed

1.Click the ExperimentTools button.

The ExperimentTools screen opens.

2.Click DataProperties.

The Data Properties screen opens.

3.Click the Measurement box and click a measurementorothervariable.

4.Click the NumberStyle box and click SignificantFigures.

5.Click the Digits box and selectthe numberofsignificantfigures to be displayed.

6.Click OK.

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SPARKvue®	3 Setting up an experiment
	Customizing how numbers are displayed

Displaying numbers in scientific notation

1.Click the ExperimentTools button.

2.Click DataProperties.

The Data Properties screen opens.

3.Click the Measurement box and click a measurementorothervariable.

4.Click NumberFormat.

The numberformatoptions appear.

5.Click the NumberStyle: box and click ScientificNotation.

6.Click the Digits box and selectthe numberofdigits to be displayed.

7.Click OK.

Changing the units of a measurement

Do one orboth ofthe following tasks to selectdifferentunits fora measurement.

n"Changing the units of a measurement in an existing display": 15

n"Changing the default units of a measurement": 16

Changing the units of a measurement in an existing display

Complete these steps to change the units ofa measurementdisplayed in an existing graph,digits display,table,ormeter:

1.Click the Measurement button to change;skip to step 4.

2.Or,click the applicable DisplayTools button to open the tools palette.

3.Click the Properties button to open the Properties screen.

4.Click the Units box and selecta unitofmeasure.

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SPARKvue®	3 Setting up an experiment
	Calibrating sensors

5.Click OK.

The display shows the measurementwith the selected units.

Changing the default units of a measurement

Complete these steps to change the units thatwill be used by defaultwhen you selecta measurementin the future:

1.Click the ExperimentTools button to open the ExperimentTools screen.

Note: The ExperimentTools button is visible in data collection mode.

2.Click DataProperties to open the Data Properties screen.

3.Click the Measurement box and selecta measurement.

4.Click the Units box and selectunits ofmeasure.

5.Click OK.

The nexttime you selectthatmeasurementfordisplay,itwill appearwith the units thatyou selected.

Calibrating sensors

Sensorcalibration is an optional step thatcan help to make measurements more accurate.

Complete the following tasks to selecta measurementand calibration type and perform

acalibration.

1."Selecting a measurementto calibrate and a calibration type": 16

2."Performing a calibration": 17

Selecting a measurement to calibrate and a calibration type

1.Click the ExperimentTools button.

The ExperimentTools screen opens.

2.Click CalibrateSensor.

The Calibrate Sensor: Select Measurement screen opens.

3.Click the Sensor box and click the sensorto be calibrated.

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	Calibrating sensors

4.Click the Measurement box and click the measurementto be calibrated.

5.Click the CalibrationType box and click a calibration type.

See the instructions provided with yoursensorforinformation aboutwhattype of calibration is appropriate foryoursensor.

6.Click Next.

The Calibrate Sensor Enter Values screen opens.

7.Continue to "Performing a calibration": 17.

Performing a calibration

Afteryou have selected a measurementto be calibrated and a calibration type (see previous task),you are ready to performa calibration.

Depending on the calibration type thatyou have selected,performa 2-pointcalibration, a 1-pointoffset-only calibration,ora 1-pointslope-only calibration.

n"Performing a 2-point calibration": 17

n"Performing a 1-point offset-only calibration": 18

n"Performing a 1-point slope-only calibration": 18

n"Calibrating a Drop Count sensor (example)": 18

Performing a 2-point calibration

In the Calibrate Sensor Enter Values screen,complete these steps:

1.Apply a known quantity to the sensor. Forexample,place a pH probe in a pH 4 buffersolution.

2.Under CalibrationPoint1Click the StandardValue box and enterthe known value.

Forexample,enterthe known pH ofthe buffersolution.

3.Under CalibrationPoint1Click ReadFromSensor.

The value measured by the sensoris transferred to the SensorValue box.

4.Apply a differentknown quantity to the sensor. Forexample,place the pH probe in a pH 7 buffersolution.

5.Under CalibrationPoint2Click the StandardValue box and enterthe known value. Forexample,enterthe known pH ofthe buffersolution.

6.Under CalibrationPoint2Click ReadFromSensor. The value measured by the sensoris transferred to the SensorValue box.

7.Click OK.

Calibration is complete.

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SPARKvue®	3 Setting up an experiment
	Calibrating sensors

Performing a 1-point offset-only calibration

In the Calibrate Sensor Enter Values screen,complete these steps:

1.Apply a known quantity to the sensor. Forexample,place a temperature probe in ice waterknown to be 0 °C.

2.Under CalibrationPoint1 Click the StandardValue box and enterthe known value.

Forexample,enterthe known temperature ofthe water.

3.Under CalibrationPoint1 Click ReadFromSensor.

The value measured by the sensoris transferred to the SensorValue box.

4.Click OK.

Calibration is complete.

Performing a 1-point slope-only calibration

In the Calibrate Sensor Enter Values screen,complete these steps:

1.Apply a known quantity to the sensor. Forexample,place a dissolved oxygen probe in a bottle known to contain 9.1 mg/L ofdissolved oxygen.

2.Under CalibrationPoint2 Click the StandardValue box and enterthe known value.

Forexample,enterthe known dissolved oxygen concentration.

3.Under CalibrationPoint2 Click ReadFromSensor.

The value measured by the sensoris transferred to the SensorValue box.

4.Click OK.

Calibration is complete.

Calibrating a Drop Count sensor (example)

Tip: The Drop Dispenserhas two stopcocks. The top stop cock is used to regulate flow rate and the bottomstopcock is used to turn the flow on and off. The bottomstopcock should eitherbe in the completely open orcompletely closed position.

The drop counteris calibrated,using the SPARKvue ExperimentTools to correlate the numberofdrops counted to the volume ofliquid dispensed fromthe Drop Dispenser.

1.Attach the Drop Dispenser(syringe,two stopcocks and drop tip)to a supportrod.

2.Fill the syringe with titrant.

3.Open both stopcock valves and adjustthe valve on the top stopcock so thatthe drops fall ata rate ofabout1 drop persecond. Close the bottomvalve afterthe rate is achieved.

4.Connectthe Drop Counterand launch SPARKvue.

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