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 »
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 |
---|---|---|
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.
Relative Motion
In this lab lab, students will use motion sensors to apply the concepts of relative motion and frames of reference to understanding velocity as a vector quantity in one-dimensional motion.
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.
Position: Match Graph
In this lab, students will use motion sensors to track and graph their motion in real time. Students will get a hands-on introduction to the concept of motion being a change in position.
Great Race
In this lab, students will race the Fan Cart and Motorized Cart.The Fan Cart gets off to a slow start, but has a constant acceleration. The Motorized Cart has a constant speed and initially pulls out ahead. But what determines...
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,...
Newton's First Law
Determine how external forces affect an object's motion as summarized by Newton's 1st Law of Motion.
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.
Oscillation Equations of Motion
The motion of an oscillating mass is measured using a Motion Sensor, and graphs are produced of position, velocity and acceleration. The relative phase of each is examined, and compared to theory. Calculations are made for the...
Near and Far
In this lab, students use a motion sensor to describe the position of an object as being near or far from another object. This lab will help students recognize that an object in motion changes its position.
Air Drag
A large sail causes drag, slowing the moving cart. Three different size sails are used to study the relation between the drag force and the area of the sail. The effect of cart speed is also investigated, including the concept...
Magnetic Drag
As a cart moves along an aluminum track, the magnets induce eddy currents in the track, causing magnetic drag on the cart. The magnitude of this force is measured by analyzing the deceleration of the moving cart and the relationship...
Conservation Of Momentum
In this lab, students use a motion sensor and a dynamics system to demonstrate that linear momentum and kinetic energy are conserved in an elastic collision, and linear momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is not conserved...
Support Documents
Manuals | ||
---|---|---|
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 |