PASCO PS-2113A Barometer_Low Pressure Sensor - Manual (Page 2)

B a r o m e t e r / L o w P r e s s u r e S e n s o r S u g g e s t e d A c t i v i t i e s
2
Specifications
*Condensation on the unit will negatively affect performance.
Suggested Activities
Measure Pressure Differences
Use the sensor to measure the difference in air pressure from
the floor to the ceiling of the classroom.
Measure Barometric Pressure
Set up the sensor and the data acquisition software to record
barometric pressure for a long period of time (24 to 48
hours). Compare the barometric pressure.
Plant Transpiration
Obtain a healthy plant seedling and soak its stem in a bowl of
water. Make a 45° cut near the end of the stem.
Plant-Tube Joint: Fill a foot-long piece of the supplied tub-
ing with water. To avoid air bubbles in the tube, submerge
the tubing in the water bowl, and insert the seedling stem
into the tube under water. Seal the joint with petroleum jelly.
Sensor-Tube Joint: Create a 2–3 cm air pocket at the other
end of the tube. Using a quick connector, connect the tube to
the sensor’s pressure port. (WARNING: Do not allow fluid
to enter the pressure port, as this will damage the sensor.)
Using a rod stand and two clamps, build the setup shown
below. Keep the sensor’s pressure port 5–7 cm higher than
the plant’s end of the tube.
Click the Start button to record pressure data for at least 400
seconds.
Repeat data recording, but place a blowing fan next to the
plant to simulate transpiration conditions on a windy day.
Compare the two graphs of pressure versus time.
Setup the Barometer/Low Pressure Sensor
Using the PASCO Capstone Software
• In the PASCO Capstone software, click the “Hardware
Setup” icon in the Tools palette to open the “Hardware
Setup” panel. Confirm that the Barometer/Low Pressure
Sensor icon appears with the interface’s icon.
• Click the “Data Summary” icon in the Tools palette to
open the “Data Summary” panel. The panel lists the sen-
sor’s measurements.
• To select the units of measure or make other changes to
the measurement properties, select the parameter in the
Sensor Data Summary panel, and then click the “Proper-
ties” icon (shaped like a gear) to open the Properties
panel.
Using the SPARK Science Learning System
• Start the interface and plug the sensor into a port on the
SPARK SLS.
Item Value
Range: 150 to 1090 hPa
150 to 1090 mBar
15 to 109 kPa
4.4 to 34 inches Hg
Accuracy: ±0.03 inches Hg
Resolution 0.001 inches Hg
Operating Temperature: 0 to 40 °C
Relative Humidity Range 5 to 95%, non-condensing*
Barometric Pressure Over Three Daysw
Petroleum
Jelly
Plastic
Tubing
Air Gap
Setup for Plant Transpiration
Clamp
Quick
Connector