Experiments that are written for the Vernier Energy Sensor (VES-BTA) or the Go Direct® Energy Sensor (GDX-NRG) can be performed with standalone voltage and current probes, but you will need to set up the measurement circuit differently and create a calculated column in the data-collection software to obtain power and/or resistance data.
Always connect a current probe in series with the load in the circuit. Always connect a voltage probe in parallel with the load in a circuit.
Experiments written for the Vernier Energy Sensor assume the presence of a calculated column for power. The column is automatically created when the Vernier Energy Sensor is auto-ID’d in Logger Pro version 3.8.7 or newer, LabQuest App version 2.3.1 or newer, or Graphical Analysis 4. If you are using alternate sensors, you or your students will need to create calculated columns for the variables to be measured.
Power can be calculated from the Potential column multiplied by the Current column. The units will be watts (W) if the current is in amperes and the potential is in volts. Instructions for creating the power calculated columns can be found at How can I measure the power of my wind turbine?.
Resistance can be calculated from the Potential column divided by the Current column. The units will be ohms (Ω) if the current is in amperes and the potential is in volts.
To calculate the total energy produced, perform an integral on the power vs. time graph.
To collect voltage data, use any of the following sensors:
Voltage Probe (VP-BTA)
Differential Voltage Probe (DVP-BTA)
30-Volt Voltage Probe (30V-BTA)
Go Direct® Voltage Probe (GDX-VOLT) (not compatible with Logger Pro or original LabQuest)
Instrumentation Amplifier (INA-BTA) (for voltages under 1 V)
To collect current data, use any of the following sensors:
Current Probe (DCP-BTA)
High Current Sensor (HCS-BTA)
Go Direct® Current Probe (GDX-CUR) (not compatible with Logger Pro or original LabQuest)
If using alternate sensors, data might not be the same as sample data provided in the Instructor Information for the lab, but students will obtain similar results.