The sensor measures compression and extension forces applied perpendicular to the beam. Comes complete with accessories to use with the most common investigations.

It is supplied with a 20N spring, cushioned and non-cushioned stops, and a hook. It can be clamped to a stand, or attached to the Dynamics System.

The hook is used with the spring for simple harmonic motion investigations, with stretchy rubber for bungee jumping, and with a stiff wire for investigating centripetal force in a pendulum.

The cushioned and non-cushioned stops are used when investigating collisions and crumple zones, where a car or trolley on a ramp collides with the sensor.

Applications include:

Physics:

• Simple harmonic motion in a spring
• Centripetal force in a pendulum
• Bungee (impulse, momentum, conservation of energy and resultant forces)
• Newton's laws of motion e.g. action and reaction
• Frictional forces
• Hooke's law
• Resultant forces – static and dynamic
• Collision impact
• Investigating the effectiveness of crumple zones
• Buoyant force (flotation and resultant forces)
• Forces and moments in levers
• Triangle of forces
• Demonstration balance

Biology:

• Investigating tree girth (Force sensor used as a dendrometer)
• Muscle fatigue test