Activities & Experiments suitable for the ADC200/50

Please note that this is not a complete list of the activities that can be performed with the ADC200/50, also many of the experiments can be carried out with our other PC based oscilloscopes. If you require any further advice, have any suggestions, or additional helpful notes please e-mail tech@picotech.com.

Prior to the start of the course in September 2000, we are hoping to add written up examples of these activities to our library of science experiments. If you are interested in performing and writing up one or more of these activities, please e-mail experiments@picotech.com in return for writing up a suitable experiment we will donate a FREE DrDAQ data logger to your school / college.

Chapter 2 : Sensing

Activity	Name	Notes
70D	The speed of a pulse on coax cable	Similar also to the speed of light experiment in our library of science experiments
100E	Using a wide range of kinds of sensor	This is also ideally suited to the DrDAQ data logger
260E	Monitoring rapid changes in intensity	This is better done with a scope than a data logger as the signals from the TV remote control are a bit too fast for DrDAQ.
300E	Using temperature sensors	Although the experiment suggests the use of a oscilloscope (as some data loggers are too slow) the DrDAQ data logger will be ideally suitable for this application
310E	Monitoring vibration	The bimorph element can be connected directly to the ADC200/50. As well as the scope waveform, have a look with the spectrum analyser, by using the peak detect option and sweeping through the frequencies, all the resonant frequencies will be displayed on a single graph.
320E	The oscillations of a hacksaw blade	For more info on connecting to strain guages, see our how to measure pages.

Chapter 3 : Signalling

Activity	Name	Notes
20D	What do digital signals look like?	We found using a photo diode designed for IR use a bit easier as it is less sensitive to ambient light. Interesting to speculate of the power of the pulse of light - how far away does a remote control work - compare say to a camera flashlight.
30D	Data transfer on an optical fibre	Don't forget to look at the spectrum view as well as the scope view.
40D	Sampling vibrations on a string	If you also have a DrDAQ an extension would be to use the built in microphone to display the spectrum of a string instrument.
60D	Noise: A problem and a solution	Again the spectrum analyser view is a powerful tool here.
180S	Spectrum analysis: Going further	Required for the optional extension
80E	Looking at signal conversion	The ADC200 is 8 bit (256 levels)
170E	Spectrum analysis: Simple signals	Use PicoScope to display both oscilloscope & spectrum views of the same signals.
200E	Hearing impairment: Using an electronic filter	Although it suggests a scope - the spectrum option may be more useful here. More information on audio spectrum analysis can be found here.

Chapter 4 : Testing Materials

Activity	Name	Notes
220P	Measuring the speed of light	This is covered fully in our speed of light science experiment

Chapter 6 : Wave Behaviour

Activity	Name	Notes
10D	Loudspeaker and baffle	Low cost crystal microphones can be plugged directly into the ADC200. Whilst you have this set up, consider also measuring the speed of sound
20P	Path difference and phase differences	Again, an ideal opportunity to measuring the speed of sound
110P	Standing waves in sound	Low cost crystal microphones can be plugged directly into the ADC200.
30E	Hearing superposition	Low cost crystal microphones can be plugged directly into the ADC200.
40E	Beats: Mixing waves in time	Low cost crystal microphones can be plugged directly into the ADC200.

Chapter 9 : Computing the next move

Activity	Name	Notes
25P	Remote measurements of distance	ADC2xx units have been used to detect sonar pings from bats & dolphins - probably not an practical class based experiment though!