This unique system allows quantitative study of energy and motion.
See the Product Description for this item's included accessories.
See the Buying Guide for this item's required, recommended, and additional accessories.
Product Summary
The PASCO Roller Coaster Complete System makes it easy for students to set up any number of track configurations as well as get quantitative measurements.
Using the rigid support pegs and the white board support panels (use a dry erase pen to make notes or calculations right on the panels) the track can be setup quickly and easily and in a variety of manners.
Photogates can be added at many positions around the track to measure the low friction Mini Car’s velocity. Create a simple incline to measure constant acceleration, a traditional coaster for conservation of energy, a loop for centripetal acceleration or even a brachistochrone to show that the car following that path will take less time than the straight line path.
Features
- Support Panels: Have a variety of track configuration holes predrilled for easy student assembly. Feature a dry erase surface so calculations can be performed at the point of interest on the track.
- Mini Cars: Feature low-friction ball bearings and ABS construction to withstand repeated impacts. One red, one yellow and one green Mini Car included. Each car includes a slot for a supplied photogate flag, cup/mass holder and cup. The body of the car extends just far enough below the wheels to protect them should the car leave the track.
- Ballast Mass: Can be added to the mass tray of a Mini Car or hidden under a Mini Car to increase the energy without changing the car’s appearance.
- Flexible track: Guides carts on their path, yet is flexible enough to form loops and hills, or can be rolled out flat on a table. Easily attaches to the support pegs using the twist-on track clips. Long pegs allow two tracks side-by-side for comparison.
- Probeware Compatible: Threaded support pegs and Mini Car photogate flags allow photogates to be used at many positions around the track to measure velocity and acceleration.
Applications
- Conservation of Energy: Release the Mini Car and measure its velocity and height at several points along the track. Use these values to calculate total energy of the Mini Car. Frictional losses are less than 5%.
- Constant Acceleration: Several straight inclined sections can be used to measure and demonstrate constantly accelerated motion.
- Projectile Motion/Conservation of Energy: Use the initial height of the Mini Car to determine its speed as it flies off the end of the track. Using this speed and height above the ground when it leaves the track, predict where the Mini Car will land.
- Multi-car Train: Mini Cars can be coupled to form a train and the velocity of each car can be measured with a photogate and a Smart Timer. The velocities are not the same.
- Brachistochrone: A Mini Car traveling between two points along a brachistochrone path takes less time compared to the straight line path.
How It Works
Roller Coaster tracks are constructed by securing flexible track on pegs in the three large support panels. Because the pegs are easily moved, runs on multiple track configurations can be tested and compared. You can even place two tracks side-by-side for a race! The plastic track comes in a roll and is easy to cut so you can make tracks of any length you need.
What's Included
- 1x Roller Coaster Track (ME-9814)
- 1x Support panel (3 sections)
- 4x Support feet
- 3x Mini Car collision accessory
- 3x Mini Cars
- 3x Mini Car photogate flags
- 2x Mini Car starter bracket
- 2x Mini Car catcher
- 2x Track couplers
- 50x Track clips
- 43x Support pegs for track
- 4x Photogate mounting pegs
- 4x Photogate brackets
- 3x Mini Car ballast mass
- 3x Water cup
Buying Guide
| Recommended Accessories | P/N | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Timer Photogate System Allows you to track the speed of the roller coaster at different points on the track to perform analysis, such as conservation of energy. | ME-8932 | -- |
| Wireless Smart Gate A computer-based alternative to the Smart Timer Photogate System. Requires PASCO Capstone or SPARKvue software. | PS-3225 | -- |
| Replacement Parts | P/N | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Spares Kit - Roller Coaster | ME-9815 | -- |
| Mini Cars (Set of 3) | ME-9813 | -- |
| Roller Coaster Track | ME-9814 | -- |
| Mini Car Track Spares | ME-6974 | -- |
| Photogate Brackets (2 Pack) - IDS | ME-9806 | -- |
Support Documents
| Manuals | ||
|---|---|---|
| Roller Coaster Complete System Manual | English - 3.09 MB | |
