Set up a pendulum timer

Use this timer to measure the period and speed of a pendulum as it passes through a photogate.

Equipment setup

• Photogate

  Use a Wireless Smart Gate (PS-3225), a Smart Gate (PS-2180) with a PASPORT interface, or a Photogate Head (ME-9498A) with a digital interface.

• Pendulum

  Use a cylinder with constant diameter, such as one from the Photogate Pendulum Set (ME-8752).

• Ring Stand with Pendulum Clamp (ME-9506)

  Set up the pendulum and photogate on a ring stand, as shown below.

Set up the timer

1. Connect the photogate to SPARKvue.
2. Under Select measurements for templates, select the Properties icon next to the photogate's name, or next to the digital interface's name if using a Photogate Head.
3. Select One Photogate or Device or Smart Gate Only, select Photogate and Pendulum, and click OK.

4. Enter the Pendulum Width. This value is equal to the diameter of the cylinder. Click OK when finished.

   

5. Check the boxes next to the measurements you want to display.

6. Select a template to display the selected measurements.

Record data

Select Start , then release the pendulum. The software will record the period after the pendulum passes through the photogate three times. The software records the speed each time the pendulum passes through the photogate.

Timing begins when the pendulum first passes through the photogate. The second pass is ignored, since it corresponds to the pendulum swinging back in the opposite direction. Timing stops at the third pass, since the pendulum completes one full oscillation.