The PASPORT Motion Sensor accurately measures the position, velocity, and acceleration of a target. It can be used to track the motion of balls, carts, people, and more.
See the Buying Guide for this item's required, recommended, and additional accessories.
Product Summary
The PASPORT Motion Sensor is used to measure the position, velocity, and acceleration of a target. The Motion Sensor can be set on a desktop, mounted to a rod stand, or attached to a PASCO Dynamics Track. The ultrasonic, pulse-ranging technology has a switch-selectable Standard Beam or Narrow Beam that rejects false signals for cleaner data collection.
Features
- Measures position, velocity, and acceleration
- False Target Rejection Technology collects clean data
- Switch-selectable short range and long range settings
- Snaps onto PASCO dynamics tracks
- Mounts to rods for easy positioning
- 360° pivoting head
Applications
- Discover the relationship between position, velocity, and acceleration
- Measure the motion of large objects, including students
- Monitor the sinusoidal motion of a mass on a spring
- Study conservation of energy and momentum during collisions
How It Works
An electrostatic transducer in the face of the Motion Sensor transmits a burst of 16 ultrasonic pulses with a frequency of about 49 kHz. The ultrasonic pulses reflect off the target and return to the face of the sensor. The target indicator flashes when the transducer detects an echo. The sensor measures the time between the trigger and echo rising edges, then, it uses this time and the speed of sound to calculate the object's distance. To determine velocity, it uses consecutive position measurements to calculate the rate of change. It similarly determines acceleration by using consecutive velocity measurements.
Product Specifications
Minimum Range | 0.15 meters |
Maximum Range | 8 meters |
Resolution | 1 mm |
Maximum Sample Rate | 250 Hz |
Transducer Rotation | 360° |
Narrow Near/Far Switch Settings | For distances up to 2 meters to reject false target signals or ignore air track noise. |
Standard Near/Far Switch Settings | For longer distances up to 8 meters. |
Cable Length | 1.8 meter |
Mounting Options | Non-skid rubber feet for table mount |
Maximum Ranges at Higher Sample Rates | 1.72 m (at 100 Hz); 0.86 m (at 200 Hz); 0.69 m (at 250 Hz) |
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 »
Interface Required
This product requires a PASCO Interface to connect to your computer or device. We recommend the following option(s). For a breakdown of features, capabilities, and additional options, see our Interface Comparison Guide »
Buying Guide
Recommended Accessories | P/N | Price |
---|---|---|
Motion Sensor Guard | SE-7256 | -- |
Motion Sensor Bracket | PS-2546 | -- |
Cart Adapter Accessory | ME-6743 | -- |
Elastic Bumper | ME-8998 | -- |
Experiment Library
Perform the following experiments and more with the PASPORT Motion Sensor.
Visit PASCO's Experiment Library to view more activities.
Newton's First Law
Determine how external forces affect an object's motion as summarized by Newton's 1st Law of Motion.
Graph Matching
In this lab, students will explore plots of position and velocity vs. time. The Motion Sensor is used to detect the motion of a person moving back and forth in front of the sensor along a straight line at different speeds. The...
Simple Harmonic Motion
In this lab, students will use force and motion sensors to determine the spring constant. Students will measure the spring extension created by three different masses suspended from the spring.
Impulse Momentum
In this lab, students will use motion and force sensors to explore changes in momentum during a collision. Students will determine how that change is related to the impulse associated with the collision.
Conservation of Momentum
In this lab, students will use pairs of motion sensors to explore the concept of momentum and its conservation during common types of collisions.
Conservation of Energy
In this lab, students will use motion sensors to detect how energy is transformed in a dynamics system. Students will observe that the total energy of a system is conserved.
Newton's First Law
In this lab, students will use motion sensors to determine how force influences the motion of an object. Students will observe that an object’s motion is unchanged in the absence of an external force.
Spring and Mass Oscillations
A Motion Sensor measures the position of the oscillating mass, and the Force Sensor is used to determine the spring constant. The period of oscillation is measured, and compared to the theoretical value.
Magnetic Damped Oscillations
As a cart oscillates on an aluminum track, the magnets induce eddy currents in the track, causing magnetic drag on the cart. The amount of damping is varied by changing the spacing between the magnets and the track. Systems are...
External Forces and the Third Law
To investigate Newton's Third Law, the forces are examined that are exerted on the two sensors by a connecting string. Also, the external force exerted by hand on an elastic cord is compared to the internal forces created by the...
Hooke's Law and Elastic Potential Energy
As the spring cart launcher is loaded, a force sensor and a motion sensor are used to measure the spring constant and the amount of potential energy stored in the compressed spring. Then cart is launched and its final kinetic...
Coefficients of Friction
A motorized cart is used to pull the friction trays in a controlled manner along the track, as a force sensor directly measures the frictional force. All parameters affecting the frictional force are investigated, including material,...
Support Documents
Manuals | ||
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PASPORT Motion Sensor Manual | English - 982.25 KB | |
Knowledge Base | ||
Graph matching on a SPARK LXi2 with a PASPORT Motion Sensor | Sep 29th, 2023 | |
How to change display language in MatchGraph | Sep 18th, 2023 | |
Principle of Operation - Motion Sensor | Apr 14th, 2022 | |
Troubleshooting PASPORT and ScienceWorkshop Motion Sensors | Dec 2nd, 2022 | |
Use MatchGraph software on an older Macintosh computer | Sep 18th, 2023 | |
Use MatchGraph software on an older Windows computer | Sep 18th, 2023 |