The PASPORT Motion Sensor accurately measures the position, velocity, and acceleration of a target. It can be used to track the motion of balls, carts, people, and more.
See the Buying Guide for this item's required, recommended, and additional accessories.
Product Summary
The PASPORT Motion Sensor is used to measure the position, velocity, and acceleration of a target. The Motion Sensor can be set on a desktop, mounted to a rod stand, or attached to a PASCO Dynamics Track. The ultrasonic, pulse-ranging technology has a switch-selectable Standard Beam or Narrow Beam that rejects false signals for cleaner data collection.
Features
- Measures position, velocity, and acceleration
- False Target Rejection Technology collects clean data
- Switch-selectable short range and long range settings
- Snaps onto PASCO dynamics tracks
- Mounts to rods for easy positioning
- 360° pivoting head
Applications
- Discover the relationship between position, velocity, and acceleration
- Measure the motion of large objects, including students
- Monitor the sinusoidal motion of a mass on a spring
- Study conservation of energy and momentum during collisions
How It Works
An electrostatic transducer in the face of the Motion Sensor transmits a burst of 16 ultrasonic pulses with a frequency of about 49 kHz. The ultrasonic pulses reflect off the target and return to the face of the sensor. The target indicator flashes when the transducer detects an echo. The sensor measures the time between the trigger and echo rising edges, then, it uses this time and the speed of sound to calculate the object's distance. To determine velocity, it uses consecutive position measurements to calculate the rate of change. It similarly determines acceleration by using consecutive velocity measurements.
Product Specifications
Minimum Range | 0.15 meters |
Maximum Range | 8 meters |
Resolution | 1 mm |
Maximum Sample Rate | 250 Hz |
Transducer Rotation | 360° |
Narrow Near/Far Switch Settings | For distances up to 2 meters to reject false target signals or ignore air track noise. |
Standard Near/Far Switch Settings | For longer distances up to 8 meters. |
Cable Length | 1.8 meter |
Mounting Options | Non-skid rubber feet for table mount |
Maximum Ranges at Higher Sample Rates | 1.72 m (at 100 Hz); 0.86 m (at 200 Hz); 0.69 m (at 250 Hz) |
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 |
---|---|---|
Motion Sensor Guard | SE-7256 | -- |
Motion Sensor Bracket | PS-2546 | -- |
Cart Adapter Accessory | ME-6743 | -- |
Elastic Bumper | ME-8998 | -- |
Experiment Library
Perform the following experiments and more with the PASPORT Motion Sensor.
Visit PASCO's Experiment Library to view more activities.
Simple Harmonic Motion
In this lab, students will use force and motion sensors to determine the spring constant. Students will measure the spring extension created by three different masses suspended from the spring.
Driven Oscillation of Mass and Spring
The String Vibrator is used to drive the mass and spring, and the resulting oscillation is recorded using the Motion Sensor. The driving frequency is varied to observe the response above, below and at the resonance frequency of...
Graph Matching
In this lab, students will explore plots of position and velocity vs. time. The Motion Sensor is used to detect the motion of a person moving back and forth in front of the sensor along a straight line at different speeds. The...
Spring and Mass Oscillations
A Motion Sensor measures the position of the oscillating mass, and the Force Sensor is used to determine the spring constant. The period of oscillation is measured, and compared to the theoretical value.
Conservation of Energy
In this lab, students will use motion sensors to detect how energy is transformed in a dynamics system. Students will observe that the total energy of a system is conserved.
Periodic Motion: Mass And Spring
In this lab, students will use a motion sensor to determine the physical properties that affect the period of oscillation of a hanging mass and spring system. Then, students will use their data to support a mathematical model...
Force and Acceleration
Investigate the relationship between the net force applied to an object and the resulting acceleration of that object. A force is applied to a low friction cart using hanging masses over a pulley.
Newton's Second Law
Newton's Second Law is examined by measuring the resulting acceleration of a fan cart under two conditions: Variable force (while keeping the mass constant) and variable mass (while keeping the force constant).
Equations of Motion
In this lab, students will generate graphs of position and velocity for a cart accelerating down an incline. Then, they'll compare their user-defined curve fits to the standard equations of motion.
Inertia and the Second Law
A force is applied directly to the cart by pulling and pushing on the attached Force Sensor. The resulting acceleration is measured by the Motion Sensor, and the analysis of a Force vs. Acceleration graph allows the concept of...
Work-Energy Theorem
A force sensor is used to measure the changing force applied by a stretched elastic cord, while a motion sensor records the resulting velocity of the cart. The work done by the elastic cord is compared to the increase in kinetic...
Newton's First Law
Determine how external forces affect an object's motion as summarized by Newton's 1st Law of Motion.
Support Documents
Manuals | ||
---|---|---|
PASPORT Motion Sensor Manual | English - 982.25 KB | |
Knowledge Base | ||
Graph matching on a SPARK LXi2 with a PASPORT Motion Sensor | Sep 29th, 2023 | |
How to change display language in MatchGraph | Sep 18th, 2023 | |
Principle of Operation - Motion Sensor | Apr 14th, 2022 | |
Troubleshooting PASPORT and ScienceWorkshop Motion Sensors | Dec 2nd, 2022 | |
Use MatchGraph software on an older Macintosh computer | Sep 18th, 2023 | |
Use MatchGraph software on an older Windows computer | Sep 18th, 2023 |