Collision carts, tracks, light gates and video: what each part does
Separate cart motion, track support and sensor evidence.
- Understand gate timing, video calibration and the stopping arrangement.
Carts move along a track. A light gate or video helps measure their motion. End stops limit how far they can travel. These jobs are related, but a successful sensor reading does not prove the carts will stop safely.
This guide covers a supervised, low-speed investigation using compatible supplied parts. The collision practical explains the before-and-after momentum comparison; follow the trainer's equipment-specific method for running it.
Identify the motion and its limits
Record each cart's complete moving mass, including the attachments and loads used in the lesson. A collision attachment changes the interaction, while a loose load can change both the measurement and handling risk.
Vernier's cart-support references distinguish models, mounting accessories and end-stop troubleshooting. Do not combine parts merely because they look compatible. The trainer checks the track, approved travel range and stopping arrangement before a run.
Keep the run-out area clear and wait for motion to stop before adjustments. Do not catch a moving cart or use a stronger push to overcome an unreliable sensor. Stop for a shifting track, loose attachment or failed stop.
Know which gate measurement you have
Vernier's photogate instructions distinguish timing modes and sensor channels. A blocked interval at one gate is different from elapsed time between two gates. The assigned flag geometry, distance and mode determine the speed calculation.