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 |
|
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 | -- |
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.
Work and Kinetic Energy
Students use a Smart Cart and dynamics system to investigate the relationship between the change in kinetic energy of an object experiencing a non-zero net force and the work done by that net force on the object, and then use...
Coefficients of Friction
Experimentally determine the static and kinetic friction coefficients between two contacting surfaces.
Newton's Second Law
The acceleration of a Smart Cart with Smart Fan Accessory is measured for varying forces, while keeping the mass constant. The Smart Fan is used to produce a thrust, and the Smart Cart’s sensors are used to measure both the...
Conservation of Momentum
Students use two Smart Carts 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 in an inelastic...
A Model for Accelerated Motion
How can a velocity versus time graph be used to determine displacement? An object’s position changes as it accelerates.
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.
Work-Energy Theorem
A Force Sensor is used to measure the changing force applied by the stretched elastic cord, while the Smart Cart records its resulting velocity. Calculations are made and the work done by the elastic cord is compared to the increase...
Newton's First Law
The purpose of this experiment is to determine how external forces influence the motion of a Smart Cart, either by itself, or together with a Friction Block, or tied by a string to masses hanging over a pulley. Analysis of this...
Newton's Third Law
In this lab, two Smart Carts exert forces on each other in a variety of situations. Each Smart Cart’s force sensor measures the force acting on that cart. In comparing the force measurements for the two carts, the student will...
Momentum and Impulse
How is the impulse imparted to an object in a collision related to the change in momentum of the object? Investigate the relationship between the change in momentum of a cart undergoing a collision and the impulse imparted to...
Crash Barrier
Construct a crash barrier designed to minimize the impact force experienced by a cart in a collision.
Momentum and Explosions
How is the total momentum of a two-object system affected by an explosion? Experimentally determine if linear momentum is conserved in a system that experiences an explosion.