Innovative Uses of Vernier Technology

A key concept in biology is how the structure of a protein determines its function. All proteins are made up of amino acids. The primary structure of a protein refers to the sequence of amino acids of which the protein is composed. The primary structure determines how the protein will fold, which will in turn [...]

Subjects: Biology

When you think of pH, you probably think of liquid acids and bases. But soil can be acidic or basic, too. Soils with pH above 7 are basic or sweet. Soils with pH below 7 are acidic or sour. The pH of soil is an important factor in determining which plants will grow because it [...]

Subjects: Chemistry

Steve Ahn, from Abingdon High School in Abingdon, VA, took his students on a science expedition along the Virginia Creeper Trail, where approximately 400 million years ago the land was covered by a shallow sea. As a result of the subsequent sedimentation, the soil now exhibits alternating bands of limestone and shale. “I wanted my [...]

Subjects: Environmental Science

Neurons communicate with each other and the rest of the body by releasing neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are small chemicals that bind to receptors on other neurons, cells, or tissues of the body. It is very difficult to study neurotransmitters directly. In many cases, the activity of an enzyme that produces or breaks down a neurotransmitter is [...]

Subjects: Biology

Attention chemistry and physics teachers! You now have a cool way to display and measure gas discharge tube emissions with our new Spectrum Tube Power Supplies and gas discharge tubes. These products are designed to be safe, convenient, and long lasting. One version of the Power Supply even has a carousel that holds up to [...]

Subjects: Physics

Astronomy instructors sometimes struggle with how to teach complex theories in a laboratory setting. This is especially true for an introductory class composed of mostly non-science major students. Gadsden State Community College instructor, Brian Geislinger, devised a model star system in the lab to show his students how professional astronomers gain much information just from [...]

Subjects: Environmental Science

To help his physics students understand the concept of electromagnetic (EM) induction, Brian Lamore, physics teacher at The Chinquapin School in Highlands, TX, devised an experiment involving strong neodymium (Nd) magnets, #28 magnet wire, and the Vernier Instrumentation Amplifier. To connect the concept with a relevant application, Brian used older hard drives and floppy disks [...]

Subjects: Physics

Heather M. Whitney, Ph.D., of Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL, set out to estimate the acceleration of the infamous “Old Spice Guy” from television and YouTube ads. She found this inspiration while participating in a LivePhoto workshop here at Vernier headquarters. Whitney used video analysis in Logger Pro to track points on the man’s body [...]

Subjects: Physics

Professor Richard G. Born, from Northern Illinois University, devised an experiment to study hysteresis, the delay of time between a force being placed upon a system and the exhibited reaction. Born placed a 7 inch rubber band on a Vernier Dual-Range Force Sensor, with a Motion Detector placed on the floor below the rubber band. [...]

Subjects: Physics

With the guidance of instructors Richard Piccioni and Craig Butz, high school students from The Bay School of San Francisco launched a 2.3 meter (8 ft) helium balloon equipped with a video camera, Vernier Temperature and Gas Pressure Sensors, and Vernier LabPro into the atmosphere. The flight lasted 1 hour and 22 minutes, reaching an [...]

Subjects: Physics