Discover Free Fall System
(ME-9889)
Introduction
The PASCO Discover Free Fall System consists of the Drop Box
(ME-6839) plus three accessories: the Free Fall Ball Accessory
(ME-9890), the Timer Switch (ME-9819), and the Time-of-Flight
Accessory (ME-6810A).
The Discover Free Fall System allows students to precisely time
falling objects. The system includes several balls of various sizes
and masses, ranging from about 6 g to 70 g. Other objects of
similar masses can also be used. The object to be dropped is
suspended from a magnet. When the Timer Switch is pushed,
the object is released and the timing starts. Timing stops when
the object hits the Time-of-Flight pad. The system also includes
steel washers and adhesive stickers to allow non-steel objects to
be suspended from the magnet.
The Timer Switch is a push-button device that simultaneously
causes the Drop Box to release the object and triggers the
timing device to start timing. The Time-of-Flight Accessory is a
pad that triggers the timing device to stop timing when an object
hits it.
Equipment
Included equipment:
Drop Box (main unit)
Hang the object to be dropped from the magnet on the
underside of this box.
Drop Box control box
Coordinates signals between the components of the
Discover Free Fall System.
Drop Box AC adapter
Connect to the Drop Box control box and plug into an
electrical outlet.
Drop box cable
Use to connect the Drop Box main unit to the control box.
Free Fall Ball Accessory balls
Includes all of the following:
- Smaller stainless steel ball (1.6 cm diameter, 16 g)
- Larger stainless steel ball (2.5 cm diameter, 70 g)
- Yellow nylon ball (2.5 cm diameter, 10 g)
- Practice golf ball (4.2 cm diameter, 6 g)
- Regular golf ball (4.4 cm diameter, 50 g)
50× release washers
50× release stickers
Use the washers and stickers together to attach non-steel
objects to the Drop Box.
Timer Switch
When pressed, sends a signal to the Drop Box to drop the
object and another to the timing device to begin timing.
Time-of-Flight Accessory
When hit by a falling object, sends a signal to the timing
device to stop timing.
Required equipment:
• Timing device (see Timing device options)
• Mounting rods and base, or equivalent (see Mounting
options)
Mounting options
The main unit of the Drop Box can be mounted on a horizontal
rod attached to a vertical rod with a multi-clamp. Figure 1 shows
a typical setup using a large rod base (ME-8735), a vertical
120 cm rod (ME-8741), a horizontal 45 cm rod (ME-8736), and a
Multi-Clamp (ME-9507). Other similar configurations will work
just as well. For a greater fall height, place the rod stand on a
table and the Time-of-Flight Accessory on the floor.
Figure 1. Drop Box mounted on a rod stand. To increase fall height,
attach the clamp higher on the rod.
Product Guide | 012-09864D
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