Middle School Smart Cart Labs
Students investigate elements of mechanics (force, mass, and motion) using Smart Carts.
Grade Level: Middle School
Subject: Physical Science
Activities
01) Graph Matching
The purpose of this activity is to explore graphs of position versus time and velocity versus time. The motion will be measured for a Smart Cart moving along a straight line at different speeds and in different directions. The challenge is to move the cart in such a way that a graph of the motion ‘matches’ the graph that is provided. This is an excellent way to learn the physical meaning of position and velocity versus time graphs.
02) 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 motion of the cart. Key equipment includes a PASCO Smart Cart, pulley, aluminum track, and SPARKvue data collection software. Students predict and analyze velocity graphs to draw conclusions about the influence of force and mass on the motion of the cart.
03) 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 Motion.
04) Building Better Barriers
In this investigation, students explore collisions using a PASCO Smart Cart, which records forces during collisions. SPARKvue software is used for data collection and analysis. Students will design their own crash barriers to reduce the maximum impact force on the Smart Cart.
