Monitors the motion of objects passing through its gate, counting events as the object breaks the infrared beam.
- 1x Photogate Head with cable
See the Buying Guide for this item's required, recommended, and additional accessories.
Product Summary
The Photogate Head monitors the motion of objects passing through its gate, counting events as the object breaks the infrared beam.
Includes a swivel mount to attach to a photogate stand. It does not include the heavy base and standard rod of the Accessory Photogate (ME-9204B). Can be used with ScienceWorkshop interfaces or with PASPORT interfaces using Digital Adapter (PS-2159).
Applications
- Conduct basic motion experiments
- Measure acceleration of freefall
- Measure pendulum periods
What's Included
- 1x Photogate Head with cable
Product Specifications
Photogate Width | 7.5 cm |
Fall Time | <50 ns |
Spatial Resolution | <1 mm |
Timing Resolution | 0.1 millisecond |
Connector | Stereo phone plug |
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 |
---|---|---|
Photogate Stand | ME-9805 | -- |
Parts Available Separately | P/N | Price |
---|---|---|
Phone Jack Extender Cable | PI-8117 | -- |
Product Guides & Articles
Photogates, Fences, and Timers
Photogates, fences, and timers are a staple of every physics lab. We’ve developed two standalone photogates, as well as two software-dependent options with varying capabilities and applications. This page compares our products’ functions, applications, and connectivity to help you select the perfect fit for your lab.
Experiment Library
Perform the following experiments and more with the Photogate Head.
Visit PASCO's Experiment Library to view more activities.
Instantaneous and Average Speed
In this lab, students will measure a cart's average speed between photogates to observe the difference between instantaneous and average speed.
Impulse and Momentum
The relationship between momentum, force, and impulse is explored when a cart collides with a Force Sensor equipped with either a spring bumper, clay bumper, or magnetic bumper.
Projectile Motion
Use photogates to measure time of flight and the initial launch velocity of the ball and predict the range fired at an angle off the table onto the floor. Also, find the maximum range as a function of angle.
Oscillation of Cart and Spring
For a spring and cart system, the effect on the period is investigated when changing the spring constant, amplitude of the oscillation, and the mass of the cart.
Conservation of Energy on an Inclined Track
As a cart rolls freely downhill, gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. The cart is released from the same height, multiple times, with the photogate measuring the speed at a different location for each...
Atwood's Machine
In a study of an Atwood’s Machine apparatus, a photogate is used to measure the velocity of both hanging masses as one moves up and the other moves down. The slope of the graph of velocity vs. time is the acceleration of the...
Friction and Newton's Laws
Coefficients of static friction and kinetic friction are determined for a block connected by a string over a pulley to a hanging mass.
Friction and Newton's Laws
Sliding friction is measured by using a photogate to measure the acceleration of a Friction Tray as it is being pulled along a horizontal track by a falling mass.
Atwood's Machine
Using an Atwood’s Machine, a photogate is used to measure the velocity of both masses as one moves up and the other moves down. The slope of the graph of velocity vs. time is the acceleration of the system and compensation is...
Acceleration up an Inclined Plane
The hanging mass is connected to the cart by a string that runs up and over the pulley. The falling mass pulls the cart up the inclined track. The speed is measured by the photogate and pulley, and the acceleration is calculated...
Projectile against Wall
A ball is fired towards a wall at a fixed distance away. At what angle should the ball be launched so that it hits the wall at the highest location?
Freefall Picket Fence
In this lab, students generate velocity vs. time graph for a picket fence free-falling through a Photogate. Then, students will use their graphs to determine the acceleration due to gravity.
Support Documents
Manuals | ||
---|---|---|
Photogate Head Manual | English - 483.59 KB | |
Photogate Head ME-9498A | Russian - 433.24 KB | |
Knowledge Base | ||
Attaching single plug, digital devices to Smart Gate or Wireless Smart Gate | Aug 29th, 2023 | |
Improving accuracy of photogates when used with a sphere | Apr 14th, 2022 | |
Replacement cable for photogate head (ME-9498A) | Mar 27th, 2023 |