PASCO ME-6950 PAScar with Mass - Manual (Page 2)

012-07361B PAScar with Mass
1
Introduction
The PASCO Model ME-6950 PAScar with Mass
performs high quality motion experiments through
its low-friction design.
The PASCar with Mass has several excellent
features:
• Extremely low friction ball-bearing design pro-
vides smooth motion.
• Built-in spring plunger, activated by a conve-
nient trigger (button), with three positions of
launching amplitude enables the car to be
launched without using additional apparatus.
• Unique suspension system allows the wheels to
collapse inside the body of the car to prevent
damage to the internal components of the car
caused by being dropped or other misuse (such
as the car being used as a roller skate).
• Convenient holes located at the top of the end
cap on each end of the PAScar facilitate the
use of string, springs, etc.
• Hook and loop fasteners on the front of each
PAScar enable the user to perform inelastic
collision experiments without using additional
apparatus.
• The mass of the PAScar is approximately
250g. The additional mass also has an approxi-
mate mass of 250g.
NOTE: For best results, measure the mass of
the car and mass bar with an accurate balance
or scale.
• Other features include a tray on top of the cart
for application of additional mass and the abil-
ity of the cars to be stacked.
While performing experiments, you may find that
you get better results by making the surface over
which the car rolls more uniform and clean. One
way to achieve this is by taping a long piece of
butcher paper to the surface on which the cart rolls.
Practice launching the PAScar by placing the cart
on the floor with its cocked plunger against a wall
or a secured brick.
NOTES:
1. Before performing experiments with the
PAScar and Mass, calibrate to insure accu-
rate results from your experiments. We
suggest performing Experiment #2 before
Experiment #5 and #4 before #6.
2. To insure that you do not give the cart an
initial velocity, other than that supplied by
the spring plunger, release the trigger by
tapping it with a rod or stick using a flat
edge.
3. Rolling distance can be shortened by add-
ing more mass to the car.
4. For even less friction, use 1/4-inch plate
glass as surface for the car.
The spring plunger of the PAScar has three cocking
positions. Determine the one that gives you a range
that fits your situation best, taking into account the
limitations of space. Most experiments require a
range of at least 2 meters or more.