The Smart Cart is the ultimate tool for your physics lab with built-in sensors that measure force, position, velocity, three axes of acceleration, and three axes of rotational velocity. U.S. Patent No. 10,481,173
- 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 ±100N force sensor
- 3-axis accelerometer
- 3-axis rotational velocity sensor
- A Built-in wheel encoder
- Bluetooth® connectivity
- Rechargeable battery
- Magnetic bumper for force sensor
- 3-position plunger
- Mass tray
- Velcro® tabs
- Force sensor hook and rubber bumper
Applications
- Kinematics
- Acceleration on an incline (determining g)
- Newton’s Laws
- Impulse
- Conservation of Momentum
- Elastic & Inelastic Collisions
- Conservation of Energy
- Simple Harmonic Oscillators (using the spring set)
- Magnetic damping (using the Magnetic Damping Bumper)
- 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 |
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Force Sensor |
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Gyro Sensor |
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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 »
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 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 (Red) | ME-1240 | -- |
Dynamics Cart Magnetic Damping | ME-6828 | -- |
USB Bluetooth Adapter | PS-3500 | -- |
Standard Metal Cart Metal Track 1.2 m System | ME-5715A | -- |
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 (Blue).
Visit PASCO's Experiment Library to view more activities.
Newton's Third Law
In this lab, students will investigate how two Smart Carts exert forces on each other in different scenarios. Using force sensors on each cart, students will compare force measurements to better understand Newton's Third Law of...
Average Speed and Velocity
Use a Smart Cart to graph position versus time. Use the data to compare average speed and velocity to instantaneous velocity.
Coefficients of Friction
Experimentally determine the static and kinetic friction coefficients between two contacting surfaces.
Graph Matching
This activity uses PASCO's MatchGraph! software. The purpose of this activity is to explore graphs of position vs. time and velocity vs. time. The motion will be measured for a Smart Cart moving along a straight line at different...
Forces and Motion
In this lab, students explore the relationship between force, mass, and motion using a Smart Cart on an aluminum dynamics track. The objective is to investigate how changes in cart mass and hanging mass impact the velocity and...
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!
Periodic Motion: Mass and Spring
Experimentally determine the physical properties of a hanging mass and spring system that affect its period of oscillation.
Oscillation of a Cart and Springs
The period of oscillation of the cart and spring system is measured using the Smart Cart Position Sensor. The effect on the period is investigated when changing the spring constant, amplitude of the oscillation, and the mass of...
Equations of Motion for Constant Acceleration
The motion of a Smart Cart as it accelerates down an incline is measured using Capstone software. Graphs of position and velocity are studied and comparisons are made to the standard equations of motion using User-Defined curve...
Blockly Extension: Making a Mass-o-meter
Students create a Blockly program that determines the mass of a Smart Cart and its contents based on measurements of the force and acceleration while the cart is moved back and forth. They modify the code to improve reliability...