Abstract

Before the advent of microcomputer-based labware (MBL), "time-of-flight" measurements for the speed of a transverse pulse on a string required elegant apparatus. This paper describes how to use an off-the-shelf MBL force sensor and a computer to perform the measurement. The data shown in this paper were collected using Vernier Software's wireless dynamics sensor system and Logger Pro software, but almost any common force sensor coupled with a computer or graphing calculator should work. You will also need about 2 m of string or elastic cord and a meterstick or tape measure.

Citation

Hamalainen, A. & Abbott, D. (2010). Using a Force Probe to Study Transverse Pulses and Reflections on a Plucked Elastic Cord. Physics Teacher, 48(6), 368-369. Retrieved August 8, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/106478/.

This record was imported from ERIC on April 19, 2013. [Original Record]

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Keywords

• Computer Software
• Computer Uses in Education
• Graphing Calculators
• Measurement Techniques
• physics
• Science Instruction
• Scientific Principles
• teaching methods