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Item #P4-1450
Sensors & Data Collection
Best Seller
Timer and Photogates
$385.00
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High-resolution timing for force and motion experiments
Bring precision to every motion experiment with the Arbor Scientific Timer and Photogates system. Designed for accuracy, durability, and classroom simplicity, this setup makes it easy to capture timing data for nearly any mechanics or dynamics lab.
Whether you’re measuring acceleration, velocity, or collision events, this photogate system gives you the reliable, high-resolution timing data you need — no complex setup or computer interface required.
Why Teachers Love the Timer and Photogates
- Accurate & Repeatable: Dual photogates deliver precise time measurements for motion studies with up to 0.1 millisecond resolution.
- Adaptable: Five timing modes (stopwatch, interval, frequency, period, count) gives teachers and students the flexibility to measure different types of motion without changing equipment or setup.
- Plug-and-Play Simplicity: Quick setup with clear digital display — no additional software or interface needed.
Resources
Resources
Product Details
What You Can Teach with the Timer and Photogates
The Timer and Photogates system opens the door to a wide range of experiments across mechanics and kinematics:
- Constant Velocity & Acceleration: Measure time intervals as objects pass through one or more photogates.
- Free Fall & Gravity: Capture precise timing for falling objects to calculate acceleration due to gravity.
- Dynamics of Motion: Analyze acceleration of carts on ramps and compare predicted and measured values.
- Collision Studies: Record impact timing and explore conservation of momentum in elastic and inelastic collisions.
- Periodic Motion: Time oscillations in pendulums or springs to study simple harmonic motion.
Higher Ed: How Students Can Use the Timer and Photogates
In college physics labs, the Timer and Photogates system serves as a reliable, high-resolution timing platform for quantitative mechanics experiments.
Most commonly used in higher-ed labs
- Constant acceleration on an incline: Time a cart through one or two gates to calculate (v) and (a); compare to kinematic models.
- Free-fall / measuring (g): Use a picket fence or falling object through a gate to determine gravitational acceleration.
- Atwood’s machine: Photogates time motion of unequal masses to test Newton’s 2nd law and predict acceleration.
- Cart collisions & momentum: Measure pre-/post-collision speeds to examine momentum conservation and energy loss.
- Simple harmonic motion (pendulum/spring): Period mode times oscillations to verify SHM relationships.
Products being sold are not toys. They are for Educational / Laboratory use only. They are not for use by children 12 and under.
Product Specifications
Specs:
Photogate Width: 52 mm
Time Reference:
6.144 MHz quartz crystal
0.65 microsecond internal resolution
0.0001 second display resolution
Input Voltage:
9 V DC, 500 mA
Sensor Input:
Two TTL falling edge triggered inputs using 1394 connectors
Interval:
Dual channel plus frequency differences (A, B, A-B, B-A) with:
0.0001 Hz resolution from 0.0000 to 99.9999 Hz
0.001 Hz resolution from 100.000 to 999.999 Hz
0.01 Hz resolution from 1000.00 to 9999.99 Hz
0.1 Hz resolution from 10000.0 to 99999.9 Hz
Period:
Dual channel (A or B) period measurement with:
0.0001 s resolution from 0.0000 to 99.9999 s
0.001 s resolution from 100.000 to 999.999 s
0.01 s resolution from 1000.00 to 9999.99 s
0.1 s resolution from 10000.0 to 99999.9 s
Stopwatch:
0.01 s resolution to 999999.99 s
Count:
Dual channel (A or B) counts to 999999 each channel
Battery Working Time:
>40 hours
Battery Specs:
Rechargeable Lithium Battery: 1800mAh, 3.7V, 6.66 watt-hours
Power Consumption:
0.015 W without photogates, 0.25 W with two photogates
What's Included:
1 Timer with rechargeable battery
2 Photogates with ethernet data cords
2 Photogate mounting brackets with hardware
1 AC Adapter
1 Hard Plastic carying case
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a timer and photogate system?
A timer and photogate system is a physics lab tool used to measure time intervals with high precision as objects pass through a light beam. When the beam is interrupted, the timer records the exact timing of motion events, enabling accurate measurement of speed, acceleration, and other motion variables.
What does the Timer and Photogates system measure?
The system measures key motion and physics quantities, including:
- Time intervals
- Velocity and acceleration
- Frequency and period
- Event counts (beam interruptions)
It provides high-resolution timing data for a wide range of mechanics experiments.
How does a photogate work?
A photogate works by projecting a beam of light between a transmitter and receiver. When an object passes through the beam, it interrupts the light, triggering the timer to start, stop, or record an event. This allows for extremely precise timing without human reaction error.
How accurate is the Arbor Scientific Timer and Photogates system?
The system can measure time with up to 0.0001 second (0.1 millisecond) resolution, using a precision quartz crystal for reliable, repeatable data.
What experiments can you do with a timer and photogates?
Common experiments include:
- Measuring constant velocity and acceleration
- Free-fall experiments to calculate gravitational acceleration (g)
- Cart motion on ramps
- Collision and momentum studies
- Pendulum and oscillation timing
These experiments support both introductory and advanced physics labs.
What timing modes are available?
The Timer and Photogates system includes multiple modes for different experiments:
- Stopwatch mode: General timing
- Interval mode: Time between one or two gates
- Frequency mode: Repetitive motion analysis
- Period mode: Time for one full cycle
- Count mode: Counts beam interruptions
These modes allow flexibility without changing equipment.
What is included in the Timer and Photogates kit?
The kit includes:
- Digital timer unit
- Two photogates with cables
- Mounting brackets
- AC adapter and rechargeable battery
- Storage case and instructional guide
Do you need a computer to use this system?
No. The system features a standalone digital display, so no computer or software is required. This makes setup quick and easy for classroom use.
What grade level is the Timer and Photogates system best for?
This system is ideal for:
- Middle school physical science
- High school physics labs
- AP Physics courses
- Introductory college physics
It supports both conceptual learning and quantitative analysis.
Why use photogates instead of a stopwatch?
Photogates eliminate human reaction time, providing:
- Much higher accuracy
- More consistent, repeatable data
- The ability to measure very short time intervals
This makes them essential for precise physics experiments.
What types of motion can be studied with photogates?
Students can investigate:
- Linear motion (constant velocity and acceleration)
- Free-fall motion
- Rotational and periodic motion
- Collisions and momentum
This versatility makes photogates a core tool in mechanics labs.
Can this system be used for advanced physics experiments?
Yes. The Timer and Photogates system is used in college-level labs for experiments involving kinematics, dynamics, and simple harmonic motion, providing reliable quantitative data for analysis.
Warning: California Residents
WARNING: Cancer & Reproductive Harm — www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
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