PASCO ME-9889, Product Manual

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The Drop Box can also be attached to a steel part of the ceiling
via the magnets on top of the main unit (see Figure 2). This
mounting method works well to maximize the height from which
objects are dropped.
Figure 2. Magnets for attaching the Drop Box to the ceiling. Remove the
screw from the top of the box when attaching the box in this way.
Timing device options
In order to time the object’s fall, the system must be connected
to one of the following timing devices:
• Smart Timer (ME-8930)
• 550 Universal Interface (UI-5001) or 850 Universal
Interface (UI-5001) connected to PASCO Capstone or
SPARKvue data collection software
• PASPORT interface with a Digital Adapter (PS-2159). Any
PASPORT interface can be connected to a computer
running PASCO Capstone or SPARKvue.
To download PASCO Capstone or SPARKvue, visit
pasco.com/downloads .
Equipment setup
1. Connect the included AC adapter to the POWER port on
the Drop Box control box. Plug the adapter into an electrical
outlet.
2. Connect one plug of the Timer Switch to the PHOTOGATE
port on the control box.
3. Use the included cable to connect the SIGNAL TO DROP
BOX port on the control box to the TO CONTROL BOX
port on the Drop Box main unit.
4. Mount the Drop Box as desired.
5. Place the Time-of-Flight Accessory directly below the Drop
Box.
6. If the object to be dropped is not steel, attach one of the
included washers to it using one of the included stickers, as
shown in Figure 3. The sticker is pressure activated; press
hard to make it stick permanently.
Figure 3. Attaching a washer to a non-steel object
7. Hang the object from the Drop Box magnet.
8. Set the ACTIVE/INACTIVE switch on the control box to
ACTIVE.
9. Select one of the timing options (Smart Timer, SPARKvue,
or PASCO Capstone) and follow the instructions in the
corresponding sections below to configure the timing
device and take data.
Figure 4. Proper equipment setup for the experiment
Test drop
1. Press the PUSH TO DROP button on the Drop Box control
box.
- If the object drops immediately, no adjustment is
necessary.
- If the object does not drop, or if it drops after a delay,
add a sticker to the object to increase the space
between the washer or steel part of the object and the
Drop Box magnet.
2. Hang the object from the Drop Box again. Retest if
necessary.
Timing option 1: Smart Timer
Setup
1. Connect the Smart Timer’s AC adapter to its power port
and plug the adapter into an electrical outlet, or use four AA
cell batteries.
2. Turn on the Smart Timer.
3. Connect the remaining plug of the Timer Switch to channel
1 of the Smart Timer.
4. Connect the Time-of-Flight Accessory to channel 2 of the
Smart Timer.
5. On the Smart Timer, press the 1 Select Measurement
button once to select Time.
6. Press the 2 Select Mode button three times to select Two
Gates.
Discover Free Fall System | ME-9889
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