PHYSICS

HOW TO USE THE NANSLO REMOTE AIR TRACK

Contents

A: Introduction to the Remote Equipment and Interface .............................................. 1

B: The Electromagnet and Launcher ........................................................................... 2
C: The Data Tab .......................................................................................................... 3
D: Cameras and Presets ............................................................................................. 4

A: INTRODUCTION TO THE REMOTE EQUIPMENT AND INTERFACE

We will be using the RWSL to collect data for this experiment. Here is a quick introduction to
the control panel that you will use to control the equipment and to see what is happening in
the lab. Take a look at Figures Figure 1 and Figure 4 to see what the control panel looks like.
On the left side of the screen are equipment controls, and on the right side is a video window
with camera controls. You will use a robot arm and a screw-drive robot to move and position
the equipment as necessary. (NOTE: If the robot arm is not available, as shown below, then
use the voice conference line to ask the Lab Technicians to assist you in placing items.)
From the Controls Tab, you can raise and lower the left end of the airtrack, energize and deenergize the electromagnet on the left end of the airtrack, and select which trial number to
populate with data from the photogates.
If the robot arm controls are available, you will also be able to put sleds on and off the track,
onto the electronic balance, etc.

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Click here to turn on

the Air Supply
If it is green, then the
pump is already on.

Robot arm controls will

appear here if they are
available.

Figure 1 - RWSL Airtrack Interface: Controls Tab

Instructions for joining voice

conference.

B: THE ELECTROMAGNET AND LAUNCHER

The electromagnet located on the left end of the airtrack looks like this:

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Figure 2 - Electromagnet on Airtrack

It can also have a launcher attachment mounted on it that uses a rubber band to push the sled
down the track:

Figure 3 - Electromagnet with Launcher Attachment

C: THE DATA TAB

Figure 4 shows the Data Tab. From here, you can select which trial number to view, as well as
see the mass of whatever is on the electronic balance and control the balance itself.

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Figure 4 RWSL Airtrack Control Panel: Data Tab

D: CAMERAS AND PRESETS

Figure 5 (below) shows the camera 1 preset positions. If you hover over the gray boxed area
of the preset buttons, a list will pop-up which tells you what each preset shows.
Figure 6 (below) shows the preset list for camera 2.
Figure 7 (below) shows the sled sitting on the left end of the airtrack, and has annotations to
indicate the sled, the flag, the electromagnet and photogate #1. The 4 photogates are
numbered #1 - #4 from left to right and are labeled with numbers. You can use the cameras to
inspect them more closely.

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Figure 5 - Camera 1 Presets

Figure 6 - Camera 2 Presets

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Photogate 1
The 10.0 cm flag

Figure 7 - Sled and Photogate

The electromagnet
launcher

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The sled