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Computer aided point track apparatus for measurement of uniform motion, motion on an incline, free
fall, upward throw, II. Newton's Law and energy transformations; patented in the USA
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Laser Timer is a demonstrational device for physics. It is
designed for demonstrating uniform and accelerated motion as well as energy
transformations. A record of the motion is made in a form of a string
of lit LEDs.
Test possible with the Laser Timer include:
- uniform
motion
- motion on an
incline
- free fall
- upward throw
- II. Newton's
Law
- energy
transformations (elastic, potential, kinetic)
The Laser Timer uses a
cart equipped with a laser sliding on two rails and a track of LEDs to record
motion. As the cart slides along the rails an internal timer lights the LEDs in
equal time intervals, recording the motion of the cart in a form of a string of
lit LEDs (see image on the right).
Students can quickly
determine the nature of motion by observing the distance between successive
recorded positions (LEDs) and by measuring the distances using the superimposed
ruler on the track. Knowing the time interval used, they can also accurately
calculate the speed and acceleration of the cart. By placing the Laser Timer in
various inclinations, different accelerated motions are obtained. Placing it
horizontally and giving the cart an initial push will give uniform motion. By
switching the Laser Timer record interval to continuous, the height achieved by
the cart after being launched and then its potential energy can be determined.
Finally, by placing the Laser Timer in an inclined position and loading the
cart with an additional set of various weights, Newton's second law can be
demonstrated: the acceleration of the cart remains the same regardless of its
mass.
The Laser Timer set includes:
- built-in
timer
- built-in
cart with laser
- pulley
- weights
- clinometer
- cable
- PC
interface with software
- extensive
manual
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Laser Timer provides the teacher with a versatile system for
demonstration of motion and energy transformations. LT.LED is designed
following the didactic guidelines given in Resource Kit for the New Physics Teacher developed by
American Association of Physics Teachers. It was patented in the USA [patent
no. US 6, 402, 521 - B1].
Computer aided
measurement
Computer
interface connects the Laser Timer to the serial port of computer. The software measures and
charts the movement of the cart:
- Distance vs.
time
- Speed vs.
time
- Acceleration
vs. time
- Table with
calculated average velocities and acceleration
 PDF file download
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