PASCO ME-8091 Wilberforce Pendulum - Manual (Page 13)

Wilberforce Pendulum Model No. ME-8091
12 ®
Troubleshooting
Problem(s) Possible Reason(s) Possible Solution(s)
No position reading appears
in DataStudio. Motion Sensor is not plugged
into the interface. Plug the digital channels of the
Motion Sensor into the
interface.
The period for the torsional
and vertical motions are not
the same. Masses are unequal distances
from the center of the crossbar. Move the masses on the cross
bar. Moving the masses out
increases the period. Keep
adjusting the distance of the
masses until the periods are
the same.
Force reading is negative. Improper calibration or direction
of force measurement is not
defined in DataStudio. Calibrate the Force Sensor both
at zero and with a known mass.
Follow the calibration
instructions in the Force Sensor
Manual or the DataStudio
online help. If using a
PASPORT Force Sensor, open
the Setup window, scroll to the
Force Sensor, and select the
“Pull Positive” option.
Rotational data does not
appear in software during
data collection. a) The Laser Switch is not
plugged into an interface. b)
Laser Diode is not turned on. c)
Laser Switch and Diode are not
vertically aligned. d) Smart
Pulley option was not selected
in the DataStudio Setup window
(applies to
ScienceWorkshop
interfaces).
e) Timing sequence for the
laser switch is not defined in
DataStudio (applies to
PASPORT interfaces).
a) Plug the Laser Switch into a
digital channel on the interface.
b) Plug the Laser Diode into a
power outlet. c) Adjust the
beam position on the Laser
Diode until it aligns with the
Laser Switch. d) In the Sensors
list of the Experiment Setup
window, select the Smart Pulley
option.
e) In DataStudio, define a
timing sequence for the laser
switch. (See the table of
contents in the online help for
defining timing sequences with
photogates and other timers.)