Motion Detector 2
(Order Code MD-BTD)
The Motion Detector is used to collect position,
velocity, and acceleration data of moving objects.
Students can study a variety of motions with the
Motion Detector, including
Walking toward and away from the Motion
Detector
Dynamics carts moving on track
Objects in simple harmonic motion, such as a mass hanging on a spring
Pendulum motions
Objects dropped or tossed upward
A bouncing object
Note:
Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not
designed nor are they recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial
process such as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing
process, or industrial testing of any kind.
What's Included
Motion Detector
Digital Sensor Cable
Compatible Software and Interfaces
See
www.vernier.com/manuals/md-btd
for a list of interfaces and software compatible
with the Motion Detector.
Getting Started
1. Connect the sensor to the interface (LabQuest Mini, LabQuest 2, etc.).
2. Start the appropriate data-collection software (Logger
Pro
, Logger Lite,
LabQuest App) if not already running, and choose New from File menu.
The software will identify the sensor and load a default data-collection setup. You
are now ready to collect data.
If you are collecting data using a Chromebook™, mobile device such as iPad
®
or
Android™ tablet, or a Vernier wireless sensor or interface, please see the following
link for up-to-date connection information:
www.vernier.com/start/md-btd
Using the Product
Connect the sensor following the steps in the Getting Started section of this user
manual.
Note:
Connect the Motion Detector to the interface using the included
Digital Sensor Cable. Connect the cable to the DIG/SONIC port on the side of the
Motion Detector. Connect the other end of the cable to a DIG port on the
interface.
Here are some suggestions for getting good results with the Motion Detector:
The Motion Detector is capable of measuring objects as close as 0.15 m and as
far away as 6 m. The short minimum target distance allows objects to get close
to the detector, which reduces stray reflections.
The Motion Detector has a pivoting head, which helps you aim the sensor
accurately. For example, if you wanted to measure the motion of a small toy
car on an inclined plane, you can lay the Motion Detector on its back and
pivot the Motion Detector head so that it is perpendicular to the plane.
The Motion Detector has a Sensitivity Switch, which is located under the
pivoting Motion Detector head. To access it, simply rotate the detector head
away from the detector body.
Slide the Sensitivity Switch to the right to set the switch to the
Ball/Walk setting. This setting is best used for experiments such as
studying the motion of a person walking back and forth in front of the
Motion Detector, a ball being tossed in the air, pendulum motion, and any
other motion involving relatively large distances or with objects that are
poor reflectors (e.g., coffee filters).
The Track sensitivity setting works well when studying motion of carts on
tracks like the Dynamics Cart and Track System, or motions in which you
want to eliminate stray reflections from objects near to the sensor beam.
Videos
View videos related to this product at
www.vernier.com/md-btd
Calibration
You cannot perform a traditional two-point calibration of the Motion Detector.
But in most cases, calibration is unnecessary. You can make several adjustments to
the readings by zeroing and changing the direction of the coordinate system. You
can find details on how to adjust Motion Detector readings at
www.vernier.com/til/2972
/
Specifications
Range
0.15 to 6 m
Resolution
1 mm
2
