The Smart Cart is the ultimate tool for your physics lab with built-in sensors that measure force, position, velocity, three axes of acceleration, and three axes of rotational velocity. U.S. Patent No. 10,481,173
- 1x Hook
- 1x Rubber bumper
- 1x Magnetic bumper
- 1x USB cable for charging
See the Buying Guide for this item's required, recommended, and additional accessories.
Product Summary
The patented Smart Cart is the ultimate tool for studying kinematics, dynamics, Newton’s Laws, and more. It is based on a durable ABS body with nearly frictionless wheels, just like our high quality PAScars. Now, we’ve added built-in sensors that measure force, position, velocity, and acceleration. The versatile Smart Cart can collect measurements on or off a track and transmit the data wirelessly over Bluetooth. In essence, it is a wireless dynamics cart that combines all the necessary sensors, without requiring any additional hardware.
Smart Carts are ideal for studying mechanics topics, such as kinematics and dynamics. The built-in load cells enable two Smart Carts to visually demonstrate Newton’s Third Law with ease. Additionally, built-in sensors for force and acceleration enable students to investigate Newton’s Second Law in minutes. Smart Carts truly are a physics lab on wheels, and now you can own the most advanced physics cart ever created, all without the restrictions of cables.
 |
 |
 |
Features
- Built-in ±100N force sensor
- 3-axis accelerometer
- 3-axis rotational velocity sensor
- A Built-in wheel encoder
- Bluetooth® connectivity
- Rechargeable battery
- Magnetic bumper for force sensor
- 3-position plunger
- Mass tray
- Velcro® tabs
- Force sensor hook and rubber bumper
Applications
- Kinematics
- Acceleration on an incline (determining g)
- Newton’s Laws
- Impulse
- Conservation of Momentum
- Elastic & Inelastic Collisions
- Conservation of Energy
- Simple Harmonic Oscillators (using the spring set)
- Magnetic damping (using the Magnetic Damping Bumper)
- And much more!
What's Included
- 1x Hook
- 1x Rubber bumper
- 1x Magnetic bumper
- 1x USB cable for charging
Product Specifications
| Optical Encoder |
|
| Accelerometer |
|
| Force Sensor |
|
| Gyro Sensor |
|
| Mass Without Accessories | 250 g |
| Patent No. | 10481173 |
| Connectivity | USB and Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Logging | No |
| Battery Type | Rechargeable LiPo |
Battery & Logging
| Stored Data Points Memory (Logging) 1 | Not Supported |
| Battery - Connected (Data Collection Mode) 2 | Up to 7 hr |
| Battery - Logging (Data Logging Mode) 3 | Not Supported |
| Battery Type | LiPo |
1 Minimum # of data points with all measurements enabled, actual results depend on enabled measurements.
2 Continuous use in a connected state until battery failure, actual results will depend on sample rate, active measurements, and battery condition.
3 Logging until battery failure, actual results will depend on sample rate, active measurements, and battery condition.
* Normal classroom use is the sensor in active use for 20min/lab for 120 lab periods/yr.
Data Collection Software
This product requires PASCO software for data collection and analysis. We recommend the following option(s). For more information on which is right for your classroom, see our Software Comparison: SPARKvue vs. Capstone »
Connectivity Options
This product can connect directly to your computer or device with the following technologies. No Interface required. See the following guide for details regarding device compatibility: Wireless Bluetooth Product Compatibility »
Buying Guide
| Recommended Accessories | P/N | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cart Mass (Set of 2) | ME-6757A | -- |
| Smart Fan Accessory | ME-1242 | -- |
| Smart Cart Rod Stand Adapter | ME-1244 | -- |
| Smart Cart Charging Garage | ME-1243 | -- |
| Bumper Accessory Set | ME-9884 | -- |
| Smart Cart Motor | ME-1247 | -- |
| Replacement Parts | P/N | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Magnetic Bumper Set | ME-9885A | -- |
| Micro USB Cable | PS-3584 | -- |
| Also Available | P/N | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Cart (Red) | ME-1240 | -- |
| Dynamics Cart Magnetic Damping | ME-6828 | -- |
| USB Bluetooth Adapter | PS-3500 | -- |
| Standard Metal Cart Metal Track 1.2 m System | ME-5715A | -- |
Product Guides & Articles
Dynamics Cart & Track System Configuration
Dynamics Systems provide an engaging and affordable method for physics educators to teach a variety of complex concepts in Kinematics and Dynamics. We offer a wide range of carts and tracks that make it easy to design your ideal Dynamics System, while staying under budget. In addition to durable equipment, PASCO Dynamics Systems also include access to a wealth of downloadable lab acitivities designed to get students hands-on and experimenting with key physics concepts.
Smart Cart to Vernier Comparison
The Smart Cart may appear to be equivalent to competitors like Vernier’s Go Direct Sensor Cart–they include many of the same features and specifications–but several distinctions set the PASCO Smart Cart apart.
Experiment Library
Perform the following experiments and more with the Smart Cart (Blue).
Visit PASCO's Experiment Library to view more activities.
Speed and Velocity Graphs
Use a Smart Cart to perform a conceptual exploration of graphs of speed versus velocity.
Acceleration on an Inclined Track
The purpose of this lab is to study the relationships between position, velocity and acceleration for a Smart Cart moving up and then down an inclined track.
Archimedes’ Principle
In this lab, the buoyant force on an object is measured by taking the difference between the object's weight in air, and its apparent weight in water. This measured buoyant force is compared to the theoretical value calculated...
Impulse and Momentum
A cart with a bumper runs down a track and collides with the end stop. The cart experiences a variable force during the time of the collision, causing it to change its velocity. In this experiment, the relationship between momentum,...
Smart Cart Out of the Box Experiments
A collection of quick experiments you can perform with the Smart Cart.
Inertia and Newton's Second Law
When you shake an object back and forth, you feel a “resistance” to the acceleration you are causing. We commonly refer to this as the “inertia” of the object. The Smart Cart, alone and then with extra masses on board,...
Graph Matching
This activity uses PASCO's MatchGraph! software. The purpose of this activity is to explore graphs of position vs. time and velocity vs. time. The motion will be measured for a Smart Cart moving along a straight line at different...
Acceleration on an Inclined Plane
What is the acceleration of an object down an inclined plane? What do the motion graphs of an object down an inclined plane look like? Galileo Galilei used inclined planes for his quantitative experiments into the nature of position,...
Inelastic Collisions
In this investigation you will explore how the total kinetic energy and momentum of a closed system involving two carts is affected by a perfectly inelastic collision between the carts.
Graphing Motion
How is the shape of an object’s position-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time graph related to its motion? Experimentally determine the relationships between a cart’s position-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time...
Instantaneous and Average Velocity and Speed
Velocity, speed, and position vs. time are graphed for a Smart Cart moving up and down an inclined track. Software tools are used to find instantaneous velocities and speeds at different moments of the motion, and average velocities...
Acceleration Due to Gravity
The purpose of this lab is to measure the acceleration of a cart moving down an incline, and compare the measured value to the theoretical.
