This information applies to a Go Direct Photogate
Go Direct^® Photogate (GDX-VPG)

For information about measuring acceleration using a Vernier (BTD) Photogate, see
How do you measure acceleration using Vernier Photogates (VPG-BTD)?

To measure acceleration, there are several options:

• Measuring the acceleration of an object having at least two flags.
  1. Connect the Go Direct Photogate to your data collection device. See https://www.vernier.com/start/gdx-vpg.
  2. Setup the sensor channel to use Object Acceleration (multiple flags)
  3. Collect data using time-based data collection.
• Measuring the acceleration of an object with one flag using two photogates.
  1. Connect the Go Direct Photogate sensors to your data collection device. See https://www.vernier.com/start/gdx-vpg.
  2. Use default Object Velocity sensor channel on both photogates.
  3. Collect data using time-based data collection.
  4. Use the velocity and time measurements for each photogate to calculate the acceleration (Change in Velocity/Change in Time)
• Measuring the acceleration of an object with one flag using two photogates that are daisy-chained together.
  1. Connect the two photogates together using the optional Go Direct Photogate Timing Cable (Go Direct® Photogate Timing Cable (VPG-CB-GDX))
  2. Connect one of the Go Direct Photogate sensors to your data collection device. (It does not matter which one.) See https://www.vernier.com/start/gdx-vpg.
  3. Use Object Velocity and Remote Gate – Object Velocity sensor channels.
  4. Collect data using time-based data collection.
  5. Use the velocity and time measurements for each photogate to calculate the acceleration (Change in Velocity/Change in Time)
• Use a picket fence and one photogate to measure position, velocity and acceleration
  1. Connect the Go Direct Photogate to your data collection device. See https://www.vernier.com/start/gdx-vpg.
  2. Use Gate 1 – Gate State sensor channel.
  3. Collect data using Photogate Timing mode.
     • Graphical Analysis app: Use Linear Motion (position, velocity, acceleration)
     • LabQuest App: Use Motion Timing
  4. Select the appropriate object type – Picket Fence, Cart Picket Fence, Ultra Pulley attachment (in groove or outside edge), or Bar Tape. If you are not using one of these, you can use User Defined and manually enter your fence spacing.
  5. Collect data to get Time, Position, Velocity, and Acceleration data for the fence as it moves through the gate.