Used with timing software, such as Insight or LogIT Lab, the following can be investigated: Relationship between time,

, distance and speed Reaction times of pupils The effect of friction on moving objects Collisions Velocity in free fall To study time/distance measurements such as speed, acceleration velocity, momentum, kinetic energy etc. When used with sensing software the light gates can be used to show frequency or counts (depending on the capability of your software) and so investigate speed of a motor or frequency of pendulum swings. One idea is to investigate the efficiency of different shaped fan blades: Electric fan to provide a constant airflow to ensure fair testing. Light Gate

Microsense Light Gate for the LogIT system

DataMeter 1000 LIVE LogIT SL

Introduction
The Microsense Light Gate is a digital sensor (sensing either on or off) which contains an infrared source and detector aimed at each other fitted in a robust frame with a gate gap of 70mm. Light gates are primarily designed for use in timing and counting work through software such as e.g. Insight 2, Jnr Insight, RM Investigate, LogIT Lab for Windows or some LogIT Advanced software. The light gate(s) can be used to record the start, finish and duration of an event and using this timing relationship software can calculate time, speed, acceleration etc. Some software packages also enable the sensors to be used to count the number of Test blades times an event occurs over a period of time eg. bats coming in or out of a cave, number of revolutions of a wheel etc.

Matt black disk with hole cut in to break light gate beam and so record frequency

Note: Some experimentation may be required to find the best settings for your software. LogIT data loggers DCP Microdevelopments Limited Edison House Bow Street, Great Ellingham Norfolk NR17 1JB GREAT BRITAIN The LIVE data logger will display a light gate as DIGI 0 or 1 whereas the DataMeter 1000 or LogIT SL displays the data from a light gate as Hz - counts (cycles) per second. The DataMeter 1000 also has the ability to change the way a sensor is displayed and recorded which means that it can display either in the DataMeters default of Hz or 0/1, counts during selected interval, number of events per minute or time between digital events. DataMeter 1000 can also be used directly with light gate(s) as a precision stopwatch, without the need for a computer.

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 Instructions for use

The built-in detector looks at the infrared beam sent from the emitter and so detects when an object breaks the beam. Most opaque objects more than approx 6mm across can be used to break the beam, although the following should be considered: The object used to break the beam should ideally have a matt finish, matt black works best, so that it does not reflect external sources of light back into the sensor. As the drawing on the front cover shows the detector is in the handle section of the gate with the source opposite and so it is best to have the object pass as near as possible to the detector to avoid the danger of stray light affecting operation. In extremes of light, such as strong sunlight, it may be necessary to reduce the ambient light level in the room. The light gate(s) can either be hand held or mounted on a suitable stand and the gate will also fit into the boss head on a retort stand in place of the usual clamp.

Connected to computer

LogIT Data Logger

Stop Timing at Light Gate B

Start Timing at Light Gate A

Toy car with matt black card attached

Distance travelled between light gates

Care
The infrared source in each light gate is powered by the data logger and because these use quite a lot of power we strongly recommend that you always use a mains power pack for the datalogger when using light gates. Do not attempt to dismantle gates or plugs. Only use these light gates with a Microsense compatible data logger - please note it is not possible to use or adapt non Microsense light gates for use with LogIT Light gates are not waterproof - do not allow them to get damp or wet Cards with additional cut outs can also be used eg.

Experiment ideas
The following are a few ideas for investigations which can be carried out using a LogIT data logger, light gate(s) and suitable software. In most cases it is easier to use a pair of light gates and makes the process of timing easier to understand (eg start timing at gate A, finish at Gate B and measure distance between to calculate speed). Using this card means that you can investigate acceleration with only a single light gate A single light gate can be used by using a piece of card of known length and then setting the software to start timing as the front of the card breaks the beam and then stops timing when the back edge of the card has passed through. - the velocity of notch A and the velocity of notch B can be calculated and the acceleration displayed (the length of notch A and B must be the same). You could use the same card with two light gates to investigate the speed at one light gate and then the speed at another.