How do I use the light gates to measure acceleration?
A guide for setting up the air track for Newton's Second Law
The glider must pass through the final gate just before the hanger touches the ground
Then slide the glider along the track until time mass holder is close to the pulley wheel. Position the start light gate just after the current position of the glider.
You will need to use 2 light gate and attach the pulley wheel at the end. On the end of the string you hang a 10g mass hanger.
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Select 'timing'
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Setting up the data logger
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Make sure the first gate is plugged into port A. Make sure the second gate is plugged into port B.
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Select 'acceleration'
2d.p. should be fine for this
The length of the card on top of the rider
Testing the set-up
Once set up it simply takes seconds to measure the acceleration, as shown in the video
To prevent damage to the air track it is best to have someone catch / stop the rider once it has travelled through the 2nd light gate.
Once set up, pupils can work together to collect results
