Recent advances in technology have made video capture and analysis1 in the introductory physics lab even more affordable and accessible. The purchase of a relatively inexpensive web camera is all you need if you already have a newer computer and Vernier's2 Logger Pro 3 software. In addition to Logger Pro 3, other video analysis tools such as Videopoint3 and Tracker,4 which is freely downloadable, by Doug Brown could also be used. I purchased Logitech's5 QuickCam Pro 4000 web camera for $99 after Rick Sorensen6 at Vernier Software and Technology recommended it for computers using a Windows platform. Once I had mounted the web camera on a mobile computer with Velcro and installed the software, I was ready to capture motion video and analyze it.

Topics
Educational aids
1.
Priscilla
Laws
and
Hans
Pfister
, “
Using digital video analysis in introductory mechanics projects
,”
Phys. Teach.
36
,
282
–
287
(May
1998
).
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
2.
Logger Pro 3 software by Vernier Software and Technology, Beaverton, OR (http://www.vernier.com).
3.
Videopoint motion analysis software by Lenox Softworks, 114 Main St., Lenox, MA 01201 (http://www.lsw.com/videopoint/index.html).
4.
Tracker video analysis software by Douglas Brown (http://www.cabrillo.edu/∼dbrown/tracker/).
5.
QuickCam Pro 4000 web camera and ImageStudio software by Logitech (http://www.logitech.com).
6.
Rick Sorensen at Vernier Software and Technology, Beaverton, OR (http://www.vernier.com).
7.
I use the Nerf SuperMaxx 750 air pressure dart gun (http://www.hasbro.com/nerf/).
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© 2009 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2009
American Association of Physics Teachers
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