The Smart Cart is the ultimate tool for your physics lab with built-in sensors that measure force, position, velocity, three axes of acceleration, and three axes of rotational velocity. U.S. Patent No. 10,481,173
- 1x Hook
- 1x Rubber bumper
- 1x Magnetic bumper
- 1x USB cable for charging
See the Buying Guide for this item's required, recommended, and additional accessories.
Product Summary
The patented Smart Cart is the ultimate tool for studying kinematics, dynamics, Newton’s Laws, and more. It is based on a durable ABS body with nearly frictionless wheels, just like our high quality PAScars. Now, we’ve added built-in sensors that measure force, position, velocity, and acceleration. The versatile Smart Cart can collect measurements on or off a track and transmit the data wirelessly over Bluetooth. In essence, it is a wireless dynamics cart that combines all the necessary sensors, without requiring any additional hardware.
Smart Carts are ideal for studying mechanics topics, such as kinematics and dynamics. The built-in load cells enable two Smart Carts to visually demonstrate Newton’s Third Law with ease. Additionally, built-in sensors for force and acceleration enable students to investigate Newton’s Second Law in minutes. Smart Carts truly are a physics lab on wheels, and now you can own the most advanced physics cart ever created, all without the restrictions of cables.
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Features
- Built-in ±100N force sensor
- 3-axis accelerometer
- 3-axis rotational velocity sensor
- A Built-in wheel encoder
- Bluetooth® connectivity
- Rechargeable battery
- Magnetic bumper for force sensor
- 3-position plunger
- Mass tray
- Velcro® tabs
- Force sensor hook and rubber bumper
Applications
- Kinematics
- Acceleration on an incline (determining g)
- Newton’s Laws
- Impulse
- Conservation of Momentum
- Elastic & Inelastic Collisions
- Conservation of Energy
- Simple Harmonic Oscillators (using the spring set)
- Magnetic damping (using the Magnetic Damping Bumper)
- And much more!
What's Included
- 1x Hook
- 1x Rubber bumper
- 1x Magnetic bumper
- 1x USB cable for charging
Product Specifications
| Optical Encoder |
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| Accelerometer |
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| Force Sensor |
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| Gyro Sensor |
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| Mass Without Accessories | 250 g |
| Patent No. | 10481173 |
| Connectivity | USB and Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Logging | No |
| Battery Type | Rechargeable LiPo |
Battery & Logging
| Stored Data Points Memory (Logging) 1 | Not Supported |
| Battery - Connected (Data Collection Mode) 2 | Up to 7 hr |
| Battery - Logging (Data Logging Mode) 3 | Not Supported |
| Battery Type | LiPo |
1 Minimum # of data points with all measurements enabled, actual results depend on enabled measurements.
2 Continuous use in a connected state until battery failure, actual results will depend on sample rate, active measurements, and battery condition.
3 Logging until battery failure, actual results will depend on sample rate, active measurements, and battery condition.
* Normal classroom use is the sensor in active use for 20min/lab for 120 lab periods/yr.
Data Collection Software
This product requires PASCO software for data collection and analysis. We recommend the following option(s). For more information on which is right for your classroom, see our Software Comparison: SPARKvue vs. Capstone »
Connectivity Options
This product can connect directly to your computer or device with the following technologies. No Interface required. See the following guide for details regarding device compatibility: Wireless Bluetooth Product Compatibility »
Buying Guide
| Recommended Accessories | P/N | |
|---|---|---|
| Cart Mass (Set of 2) | ME-6757A | |
| Smart Fan Accessory | ME-1242 | |
| Smart Cart Rod Stand Adapter | ME-1244 | |
| Smart Cart Charging Garage | ME-1243 | |
| Bumper Accessory Set | ME-9884 | |
| Smart Cart Motor | ME-1247 | |
| NewSmart Cart Trigger Dropper | ME-1249 | |
| NewBall Catcher | ME-1252 |
| Replacement Parts | P/N | |
|---|---|---|
| Magnetic Bumper Set | ME-9885A | |
| Smart Cart Wheel Replacement Kit | ME-1250 | |
| Wireless Sensor 300 mAh Replacement Battery | PS-3296 | |
| Wireless Sensor 300 mAh "B" Replacement Battery Use this battery if your sensor has a "B" printed on the back. See product page for details. | PS-3298 | |
| Micro USB Cable | PS-3584 |
| Also Available | P/N | |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Cart (Red) | ME-1240 | |
| Dynamics Cart Magnetic Damping | ME-6828 | |
| Standard Metal Cart Metal Track 1.2 m System | ME-5715A |
Product Guides & Articles
Dynamics Cart & Track System Configuration
Dynamics Systems provide an engaging and affordable method for physics educators to teach a variety of complex concepts in Kinematics and Dynamics. We offer a wide range of carts and tracks that make it easy to design your ideal Dynamics System, while staying under budget. In addition to durable equipment, PASCO Dynamics Systems also include access to a wealth of downloadable lab acitivities designed to get students hands-on and experimenting with key physics concepts.
Smart Cart to Vernier Comparison
The Smart Cart may appear to be equivalent to competitors like Vernier’s Go Direct Sensor Cart–they include many of the same features and specifications–but several distinctions set the PASCO Smart Cart apart.
Experiment Library
Perform the following experiments and more with the Smart Cart (Blue).
Visit PASCO's Experiment Library to view more activities.
Blockly Extension: Making a Mass-o-meter
Students create a Blockly program that determines the mass of a Smart Cart and its contents based on measurements of the force and acceleration while the cart is moved back and forth. They modify the code to improve reliability...
Force and Acceleration
A Smart Cart is accelerated by the tension in a string that goes over a pulley and has mass hanging at its other end. The Smart Cart’s sensors are used to measure both the force and acceleration of the cart. A force vs. acceleration...
Inertia and Newton's Second Law
When you shake an object back and forth, you feel a “resistance” to the acceleration you are causing. We commonly refer to this as the “inertia” of the object. The Smart Cart, alone and then with extra masses on board,...
Archimedes’ Principle
In this lab, the buoyant force on an object is measured by taking the difference between the object's weight in air, and its apparent weight in water. This measured buoyant force is compared to the theoretical value calculated...
Motion with Constant Acceleration
Position and velocity vs. time are graphed for a Smart Cart with a Smart Fan Accessory moving with constant acceleration along a dynamics track. Software tools are used to find velocities at various times, and to find the acceleration...
Acceleration Due to Gravity
The purpose of this lab is to measure the acceleration of a cart moving down an incline, and compare the measured value to the theoretical.
Acceleration on a Ramp
What is acceleration and how does it relate to speed and velocity? A car rolling down a ramp accelerates. A car given an initial velocity up a ramp accelerates at the same rate!
Newton's Third Law
In this lab, two Smart Carts exert forces on each other in a variety of situations. Each Smart Cart’s force sensor measures the force acting on that cart. In comparing the force measurements for the two carts, the student will...
Work-Energy Theorem
A Force Sensor is used to measure the changing force applied by the stretched elastic cord, while the Smart Cart records its resulting velocity. Calculations are made and the work done by the elastic cord is compared to the increase...
Instantaneous and Average Velocity and Speed
Velocity, speed, and position vs. time are graphed for a Smart Cart moving up and down an inclined track. Software tools are used to find instantaneous velocities and speeds at different moments of the motion, and average velocities...
Building Better Barriers
In this investigation, students explore collisions using a PASCO Smart Cart, which records forces during collisions. SPARKvue software is used for data collection and analysis. Students will design their own crash barriers to...
Blockly Extension: Vector Display
Students create a Blockly program that outputs text that indicates the magnitude and direction of the velocity and acceleration of a Smart Cart.
