The Smart Cart is the ultimate tool for your physics lab and includes built-in sensors for measuring force, position, velocity, three axes of acceleration, and three axes of rotational velocity. Patent No. 10481173
- 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 ±100 N force sensor
- 3-axis accelerometer
- 3-axis rotational velocity sensor
- Bluetooth® connectivity
- Rechargeable battery
- Motion encoder measures position and velocity on or off the track
- Magnetic bumper for force sensor
- 3-position plunger
- Mass tray
- Velcro® tabs
- Force sensor hook and rubber bumper
Applications
- Kinematics
- Newton’s Laws
- Impulse
- Conservation of Momentum
- Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
- Conservation of Energy
- Simple Harmonic Oscillators
- Magnetic damping
- Determining g using acceleration on an incline
- And much more!
What's Included
- 1x Hook
- 1x Rubber bumper
- 1x Magnetic bumper
- 1x USB cable for charging
Product Specifications
Optical Encoder |
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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 »
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
- Universal Serial Bus (USB)
Dedicated Datalogging with SPARK LXi2
Consider an all-in-one, touchscreen data collection, graphing, and analysis tool for students. Designed for use with wired and wireless sensors, the SPARK LXi2 Datalogger simultaneously accommodates up to five wireless sensors and includes two ports for blue PASPORT sensors. It features an interactive, icon-based user interface within a shock-absorbing case and arrives packaged with SPARKvue, MatchGraph!, and Spectrometry software for interactive data collection and analysis. It can additionally connect via Bluetooth to the following interfaces: AirLink, SPARKlink Air, and 550 Universal Interface.
Buying Guide
Recommended Accessories | P/N | Price |
---|---|---|
Cart Mass (Set of 2) | ME-6757A | -- |
Smart Ballistic Cart Accessory | ME-1245 | -- |
Smart Cart Vector Display | ME-1246 | -- |
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 | -- |
Wireless Sensor 300 mAH Replacement Battery | PS-3296 | -- |
Wireless Sensor 300 mAH "B" Replacement Battery Use this battery if your sensor has a "B" printed on the back. See product page for details. | PS-3298 | -- |
Also Available | P/N | Price |
---|---|---|
Smart Cart (Blue) | ME-1241 | -- |
USB Bluetooth Adapter | PS-3500 | -- |
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 (Red).
Visit PASCO's Experiment Library to view more activities.
Crash Barrier
Construct a crash barrier designed to minimize the impact force experienced by a cart in a collision.
Periodic Motion: Mass and Spring
Experimentally determine the physical properties of a hanging mass and spring system that affect its period of oscillation.
Force and Acceleration
A Smart Cart is accelerated by the tension in a string that goes over a pulley and has mass hanging at its other end. The Smart Cart’s sensors are used to measure both the force and acceleration of the cart. A force vs. acceleration...
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.
Newton's Second Law
Students use a Smart Cart to determine the relationship between a system’s mass, acceleration, and the net force being applied to the system.
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.
Blockly Extension: Vector Display
Students create a Blockly program that outputs text that indicates the magnitude and direction of the velocity and acceleration of a Smart Cart.
Conservation of Momentum
Elastic and inelastic collisions are performed with two Smart Carts of different masses. Magnetic bumpers are used in the elastic collision and Velcro® bumpers are used in the completely inelastic collision. In both cases, momentum...
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 on a Ramp
What is acceleration and how does it relate to speed and velocity? A car rolling down a ramp accelerates. A car given an initial velocity up a ramp accelerates at the same rate!
Conservation of Energy on an Inclined Track
As the cart rolls freely up and then back down the track, mechanical energy changes form from kinetic energy to gravitational energy, and then back again.
Graphing Motion
Students measure the position and velocity of a cart on a track to determine the relationship between position, velocity, and acceleration versus time graphs.