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This kit is designed for physics experiments at the middle school and high school levels. These sensors aren't just black boxes - they're easy to inspect, modify, and repair.
This kit includes the following items:
- force sensor
- pulley rotation sensor
- laser gate
- sonar
- accelerometer
- compass
This documentation assumes that you've already installed the WireGarden browser plugin. If you have not, please visit the Using Sensors page.
Getting Started
The force sensor, pulley rotation sensor, and laser gate require some easy assembly. You can find assembly instructions in the Other Resources section for those sensors.
Below you'll find a section for each of the sensors in the kit with ManyLabs lessons and project ideas. For each sensor, you can use the Sensor Plotter to see the real-time data from the sensor. The Using the Sensor Plotter documentation has more information.
Each sensor also has a sample sketch that shows the operation of the sensor using the WireGarden library. You can use the Arduino Programmer to to upload the sketch to an Arduino if you have the WireGarden browser plugin, or you can download the sketch for use with the Arduino IDE.
Force Sensor
The force sensor uses a linear potentiometer to measure the displacement of a rod connected to a pair of springs. The displacement is related to the force applied to the rod. The springs can be replaced with more stiff or relaxed springs to adjust the sensitivity.
With known sample masses, the sensor can be calibrated to provide numerical measurements of the force on the rod, as shown in the Force Approximation lesson.
Specifications
- Reacts to pushing or pulling forces
- Sensitive to forces of approximately 2 Newtons to 20 Newtons with included springs
Sample Sketch
A sample sketch is available that shows how to use the WireGarden library to read displacement values from the sensor. You can use the Arduino Programmer to upload the sketch to your Arduino, or you can download the sketch. This sketch depends on the WireGarden library.
Lessons With This Sensor
Project Ideas
- Measuring collision forces of a dynamics cart
Other Resources
Pulley Rotation Sensor
The pulley rotation senor can be used to measure the linear motion of a string passed over the pulley.
Specifications
- 20 pulses (holes) per revolution
Sample Sketch
A sample sketch is available that shows how to use the WireGarden library to read values from the sensor. You can use the Arduino Programmer to upload the sketch to your Arduino, or you can download the sketch. This sketch depends on the WireGarden library.
Lessons With This Sensor
Project Ideas
- Connect the pulley to a cart. Connect the pulley to a miniature elevator.
Other Resources
Laser Gate
The laser gate uses a laser module to create a beam that is detected by a photodiode. The photodiode can detect when the beam is broken, for how long, and the period of repeated beam breaks.
Specifications
- 2cm to 1m distance between laser and sensor (20cm maximum using metal beam)
Sample Sketch
A sample sketch is available that shows how to use the WireGarden library to read values from the sensor. You can use the Arduino Programmer to upload the sketch to your Arduino, or you can download the sketch. This sketch depends on the WireGarden library.
Lessons With This Sensor
Project Ideas
- Use two laser gates to measure the speed of a falling object or a cart on a track.
Other Resources
Sonar
The sonar sensor uses ultrasonic bursts to measure the distance to an object. This makes it a great tool for non-contact distance measurements. Using the real-time distance readings, you can also calculate velocity and acceleration.
Specifications
- Configurable range up to 4 meters with a minimum range of approximately 3 centimeters
- Resolution of about 1 centimeter
Sample Sketch
A sample sketch is available that shows how to use the WireGarden library to read distance values from the sensor. You can use the Arduino Programmer to upload the sketch to your Arduino, or you can download the sketch. This sketch depends on the WireGarden library.
Lessons With This Sensor
Project Ideas
- Measuring the speed and position of a dropped object
- Measuring the speed and position of a dynamics cart on a track
Other Resources
Accelerometer
The Grove Accelerometer is a device that measures acceleration in g on 3 axes. When rigidly attached to an object this can be used to measure the acceleration that the object undergoes.
Specifications
- Configurable scales of +/- 2, 4, 8, or 16 g
- Resolution of 0.0039 g at the 2 g scale
Sample Sketch
A sample sketch is available that shows how to use the WireGarden library to read accleration values from the sensor. You can use the Arduino Programmer to upload the sketch to your Arduino, or you can download the sketch. This sketch depends on the WireGarden library.
Project Ideas
- Measuring acceleration and jerk of a dynamics cart during collision
Other Resources
Compass
The Grove Compass or Magnetometer, is a device that measures the strength of a magnetic field in gauss on 3 axes. As with an analog compass, this can be used to determine magnetic north. It can also be used to measure the strength and direction of a magnetic field at a point.
Specifications
- Configurable scale from +/- 0.88 Gauss to 8.1 Gauss
- Resolution of 0.73 mG at the 0.88 G scale
Sample Sketch
A sample sketch is available that shows how to use the WireGarden library to read magnetic field values from the sensor. You can use the Arduino Programmer to upload the sketch to your Arduino, or you can download the sketch. This sketch depends on the WireGarden library.
Lessons With This Sensor
Project Ideas
- Plotting the magnetic field of a magnet
- Measuring the strength of an electromagnet
Other Resources
