Instruction Manual Manual No. 012-08279B Visual Accelerometer Model No.
Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128 Table of Contents Equipment List........................................................... 3 Introduction ............................................................. 4 Operation Requirements and Procedures .............................. 4 Turning On the Visual Accelerometer ...........................................................................................4 Turning Off the Visual Accelerometer ...............................................................
Model No. PS-2128 Visual Accelerometer Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128 Equipment List 2 1 3 4 Included Equipment 1. Visual Accelerometer (1) 2. PASPORT™ extension cable, 5.5 feet (1) 3. Batteries, AA size, alkaline (4) (Note: Only 3 are required for operation.) 4. Thumbscrews (4) Replacement Model Number* PS-2128 514-07281 NSS 617-018 *Use Replacement Model Numbers to expedite replacement orders.
Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128 Introduction The Visual Accelerometer is a sensor designed for visual demonstration of acceleration along a horizontal axis. The Visual Accelerometer can be inserted into the top of any PASCO dynamics cart, PAScar, or GOcar or used by itself for acceleration studies. Green and red lights on the Accelerometer illuminate to indicate positive or negative increments of acceleration (in either units of m/s/s or g).
Model No. PS-2128 Visual Accelerometer Turning off the Visual Accelerometer Fig. 2a Fig. 2b Step: Press and hold the black button until two red and two green lights illuminate. Result: When you release the button, the sensor turns off. Note: If the unit ever fails to turn on or off using the push-button switch, open the case and remove any battery for a few seconds, then reinstall. The unit should operate normally.
Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128 Inserting/Replacing the Batteries When the Accelerometer is operating on batteries alone, a battery test is performed when you turn on the unit. When the first red and first green light on each scale alternately flash on and off, you have a low battery condition. To replace the batteries, do the following: 1. Turn the power off and/or disconnect the PASPORT extension cable.
Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128 Operating the Visual Accelerometer 1. a) For standalone use: Remove the case and install the batteries. (See “Replacing the Batteries” on page 6 of this manual.) OR b) For use with DataStudio or Xplorer: Connect the receptacle end of the PASPORT extension cable into the pin connector on the top of the Accelerometer. Connect the plug on the opposite end of the cable to either the USB link or the Xplorer. 2.
Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128 Green lights - represent the positive horizontal acceleration scale (m/ s2). As acceleration increases in the positive direction, more green lights turn on. Red lights - represent the negative acceleration scale (m/s2). As horizontal acceleration increases in the negative (or opposite horizontal direction) more lights turn on. Selecting an Acceleration Scale Full Scale switch- Use this switch for selecting a scale: 0 to 1 m/s/s (0 to 0.1 g), 0 to 5 m/s/s (0 to 0.
Model No. PS-2128 Visual Accelerometer Peak Hold - Select this switch to tell the Accelerometer to search for the peak acceleration and hold the display. Peak hold operates only in the positive (green LED) direction. The peak hold only applies to the peak in the acceleration before the acceleration changes sign. Before switching to peak hold, set the full scale switch to the desired scale resolution. To reset to a new peak hold, push in the black on/off button.
Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128 To change acceleration units: 1. On the main toolbar, click the Setup button. 2. In the Experiment Setup window, click the Maximize button and scroll to the Visual Accelerometer options. 3. Use the down arrow to select either the m/s/s or g units. When you close out of this window, the unit change is automatically saved. Using the Accelerometer with Xplorer The Visual Accelerometer can be used with Xplorer in the classroom.
Model No. PS-2128 Visual Accelerometer Setup Options The Visual Accelerometer can be mounted in various ways for studies of linear, rotary, and centripetal acceleration, elastic and inelastic collisions, friction, free fall, etc. The following paragraphs and photographs describe some sample experiment setup options. If you plan to use the Visual Accelerometer in various orientations, consider purchasing a Visual Accelerometer Accessory Kit (PS-2516).
Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128 2) Visual Accelerometer with Mass Bars and Picket Fence (Photogate Studies) The Visual Accelerometer can be used with a picket fence (flag) for photogate studies. A mass bar can be placed on the top of the Accelerometer to study the affect of mass on acceleration. Use the Figure 1.2: Visual Accelerometer provided thumbscrews to with flag, mass, and PAScar attach the Visual Accelerometer to a PAScar or Dynamics Cart.
Model No. PS-2128 Visual Accelerometer 4) Visual Accelerometer with Fan Accessory (and Time Pulse) The Visual Accelerometer can be used with the ME-9491 Fan Accessory for motion and constant acceleration experiments. Use the provided thumbscrews to attach the Visual Accelerometer to a PAScar or Dynamics Cart. The Fan Accessory clips onto the side rails of the Visual Accelerometer the same as it does to a Dynamics Cart or a PAScar. The Time Pulse Accessory allows the fan Figure 1.
Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128 6) Visual Accelerometer with Friction Accessory To study the effect of friction on acceleration, the Visual Accelerometer has a recess in the bottom that allows use of the Friction Accessory (available for the PAScar). The friction accessory inserts through a hole in the bottom of the PAScar. Make sure you adjust the amount of friction you want before you fasten on the Visual Accelerometer. Figure 1.
Model No. PS-2128 Visual Accelerometer Additional equipment required: A second Visual Accelerometer (PS-2128), Dynamics Track [(1.2m (ME-9435A) or 2.2m (ME-9458)], Dynamics Carts (ME-9430) or PAScars (ME-6950) 8) Visual Accelerometer and Spring Oscillations For oscillation or Newton’s Law studies, place the Visual Accelerometer and Cart on a Dynamics Track. Connect springs from the cart to the end stops on the Dynamics Track. Figure 1.
Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128 It is easier to adjust for level if you don’t tie the thread to the Visual Accelerometer. Run the thread from the pendulum clamp down through the loops (See Figure 1.9b) in the Visual Accelerometer and then back up to the clamp. Zero the Accelerometer when it is at rest at the bottom of its swing.
Model No. PS-2128 Visual Accelerometer from the pendulum plate down through the loop on the Visual Accelerometer (see Figure 1.11b) and then back up to the plate. Zero the Accelerometer when it is at rest at the bottom of its swing. Figure 1.11a:Visual Accelerometer Swinging Parallel to Rod Stand Figure 1.
Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128 There is a ridge on the bottom of the case (Figure 1.12b) to help align the clamps square to the case. Zero the Accelerometer in its vertical orientation. Additional equipment required: Visual Accelerometer Accessory Kit (PS-2516) Additional Equipment Recommended: Small Base and Support Rod (SE-9451) 13) Visual Accelerometer Hanging from a Rope (Free Fall) For free fall studies, the bottom of the Visual Accelerometer has a channel that accepts a cord or a small rope.
Model No. PS-2128 Visual Accelerometer Appendix A: Specifications Visual Accelerometer: Sensor range: Manual scale: ±0.1 g, ±0.5 g, ±2 g (±1, ±5, ±20 m/s/s) Auto scale: ±0.02 to ±2 g (±0.2 to ±20 m/s/s) Maximum acceleration measurement: ±2 g (20 m/s/s), single axis Maximum acceleration without damage: 1000 g (10,000 m/s/s) Accuracy: ±0.02 g (0.2 m/s/s) Resolution: LEDs: 20% of full scale range DataStudio output: 0.001 g (0.
Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128 Appendix B: Troubleshooting Problem Possible Cause(s) Possible Solution(s) One or more lights flicker, regardless of the direction of movement. The Accelerometer is in an unstable position or you have a low battery condition. Prior to using the Visual Accelerometer, use the thumbscrews to mount it to a cart or a steady base. Replace the batteries. One red and one green light alternately flash at turn on. Batteries are low.
Model No. PS-2128 Visual Accelerometer Appendix C:Technical Support For assistance with the PS-2128 Visual Accelerometer or any other PASCO products, contact PASCO as follows: Address: PASCO scientific 10101 Foothills Blvd. Roseville, CA 95747-7100 Phone: (916) 786-3800 FAX: (916) 786-3292 Web: www.pasco.com Email: techsupp@pasco.
Visual Accelerometer Model No. PS-2128 Appendix D: Copyright and Warranty Information Copyright Notice The PASCO scientific 012-08279A Visual Accelerometer Manual is copyrighted and all rights reserved. However, permission is granted to non-profit educational institutions for reproduction of any part of the 012-08279A Visual Accelerometer Manual, providing the reproductions are used only for their laboratories and are not sold for profit.
