Vernier MD-BTD Instruction Manual

Motion Detector 2
(Order Code MD-BTD)
The Motion Detector is used to collect position, velocity, and
acceleration data of moving objects. Students can study a
variety of motions with the Motion Detector, including
 Walking toward and away from the Motion Detector.
 Dynamics carts moving on track.
 Objects in simple harmonic motion, such as a mass
hanging on a spring.
 Pendulum motions.
 Objects dropped or tossed upward.
 A bouncing object.
Motion data collected with Logger Pro
Ball Toss with Logger Pro
Motion data collected with a calculator.
Ball bouncing Weight on spring
NOTE: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not
designed nor recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial process such
as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing process, or industrial
testing of any kind.
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and a computer.
Student walking
Collecting Data with the Motion Detector
The Motion Detector is compatible with the following data-collection interfaces.
 Vernier LabQuest ®
2 or original LabQuest
computer
 Vernier LabQuest ®
Mini with a computer
 Vernier LabPro ®
with a computer or TI graphing calculator
 Vernier SensorDAQ ®
 CBL 2™
 TI-Nspire™ Lab Cradle
 Universal Lab Interface (requires separate cable, order code ULI-MDC)
Here is the general procedure to follow when using the Motion Detector:
1. Connect the Motion Detector to the interface.
2. Start the data-collection software.
3. The software will identify the Motion Detector and load a default data-collection
setup. You are now ready to collect data.
What is Included with the Motion Detector?
The Motion Detector ships with the detector and a cable that
connects the Motion Detector to LabPro, LabQuest 2,
LabQuest, LabQuest Mini, TI-Nspire Lab Cradle, or CBL 2.
How the Motion Detector Works
This Motion Detector emits short bursts of ultrasonic sound
waves from the gold foil of the transducer. These waves fill a cone-shaped area
about 15 to 20° off the axis of the centerline of the beam. The Motion Detector then
"listens" for the echo of these ultrasonic waves returning to it. The equipment
measures how long it takes for the ultrasonic waves to make the trip from the Motion
Detector to an object and back. Using this time and the speed of sound in air, the
distance to the nearest object is determined.
Note that the Motion Detector will report the
distance to the closest object that produces a
sufficiently strong echo. The Motion Detector can
pick up objects such as chairs and tables in the
cone of ultrasound.
The sensitivity of the echo detection circuitry automatically increases, in steps, every
few milliseconds as the ultrasound travels out and back. This is to allow for echoes
being weaker from distant objects.
This sensor is equipped with circuitry that supports auto-ID. When used with
LabQuest 2, LabQuest, LabQuest Mini, LabPro, SensorDAQ, TI-Nspire Lab Cradle,
or CBL 2, the data-collection software identifies the sensor and uses pre-defined
parameters to configure an experiment appropriate to the recognized sensor.
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as a standalone device or with a
2