Go Direct® Photogate User Manual - Vernier

Go Direct Photogate is used for velocity, acceleration, and timing measurements of objects passing through the gate. The object blocks infrared beams as it passes through the gate. Motion data can be determined from the timing of beam blocking.

This general-purpose photogate can be used for a wide variety of experiments in physics and physical science classes. Examples include

• measuring the speed of a rolling object
• measuring freefall acceleration
• measuring the acceleration of a cart on a ramp
• studying the swing of a pendulum
• timing the period of a rotating object
• measuring the speed of objects undergoing collisions

Go Direct Photogate is a double-gate sensor that includes two photogates built into the arms of the sensor. This configuration allows for accurate velocity measurements without needing to know anything about the geometry of the object. The internal gates can also be used individually as traditional single-gate photogates when desired. Go Direct Photogate also includes a single laser gate for use with objects passing outside of the arms of the sensor. Using the laser gate requires a visible-light pen laser (not included).

Go Direct Photogate can be used alone or with other Go Direct Photogates. An optional accessory cable (order code: VPG-CB-GDX) allows you to daisy-chain two Go Direct Photogates together to increase the timing accuracy for measurements between two gates.

Note: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not designed nor are they 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.