The SM2019 Free Fall Apparatus with timer and photogates is a physics teaching tool for demonstrating free fall and measuring acceleration due to gravity (\(g\)). It features a vertical rod with a graduated scale, an electromagnet to release a steel ball, two photogates to detect the ball's passage, and a digital timer that records the time of flight between the photogates. The SM2019's key features include wireless data transfer via Bluetooth, a high time resolution of \(0.1\) milliseconds, and compatibility with Windows, iOS, and Android operating systems.
Features
Purpose: To demonstrate and quantitatively study free fall, allowing for the calculation of acceleration due to gravity (\(g\)).
Components: Includes a vertical stand with a graduated scale, an electromagnet release mechanism, two photogates, and a digital timer.Working Principle: The electromagnet holds and releases a steel ball at the start. The first photogate (primary) starts the timer when the ball is released, and the second photogate (secondary) stops the timer when the ball passes through it. The distance between the photogates, which is measured from the scale, is used with the time to calculate \(g\).