PASCO Magnetic Equipment for Classroom Use

 

PASCO Magnetic Equipment for Classroom Use

Philip M Russell Ltd – Hands-On Science That Sticks

When it comes to teaching magnetism, waving a bar magnet near some iron filings just doesn’t cut it anymore—especially if you want students to engage, understand, and remember the science. That’s why we’ve been putting PASCO’s magnetic equipment through its paces in our lab and classroom.

Here’s what we’ve found.

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 PASCO Magnetic Field Sensor

What it does: Measures the strength and direction of magnetic fields in real time.
How we use it:

• Mapping field strength around magnets

• Investigating field reversal in electromagnets

• Plotting graphs live during experiments

Why it’s great:

• Easy to calibrate

• Gives instant feedback, which students love

• Allows comparison of different magnets and configurations

Drawback:
It’s quite sensitive—so make sure your phone isn’t nearby or your data will suddenly get interesting for all the wrong reasons.

PASCO Magnetic Field Sensors – 2‑D vs 3‑D

Magnetism can feel invisible and abstract—until you bring sensors into the lab. PASCO offers two excellent options: the 2‑Axis (2‑D) Magnetic Field Sensor and the newer Wireless 3‑Axis (3‑D) Magnetic Field Sensor. Both excel at making magnetic fields visible, but each has unique strengths.

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PASCO 2‑Axis Magnetic Field Sensor

• Captures two directions (radial and axial) of a magnetic field at once, enabling a quick 2-D mapping in one go teachingapscience.com+13Wiltronics+13PASCO scientific+13.

• Ideal for focused experiments, such as exploring the field around a bar magnet or investigating variations in Helmholtz coils.

• Straightforward setup and sensor simplicity make it excellent for introductory lessons—students can immediately start seeing how field components differ in direction and magnitude.

• Works well with PASCO’s software like SPARKvue or Capstone.

Advantages:

• Simultaneous dual-axis readings save time.

• Clear visualization of directional components in planar experiments.

• Affordable and robust for everyday school use.

Limitations:

• Restricted to 2-D, so it can't capture the full 3-D complexity of real-world fields.

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PASCO Wireless 3‑Axis (3‑D) Magnetic Field Sensor

• Measures magnetic field components along X, Y, and Z axes, providing true 3‑D field mapping Wiltronics+6PASCO scientific+6PASCO scientific+6.

• Wireless (Bluetooth & USB) for seamless data streaming and logging. Supports sample rates up to 100 Hz, with battery life lasting multiple lab sessions PASCO scientific.

• Perfect for immersive experiments:

  • Mapping the Earth’s magnetic field in 3-D.

  • Exploring magnetic fields within coils and complex geometries.

  • Visualizing field lines in space with full vector data.

Advantages:

• Complete 3-D measurements unlock deeper, more intuitive learning.

• Wireless, robust, and supports long-duration data logging.

• Portable and flexible across diverse lab contexts.

Considerations:

• Slightly higher cost and data complexity.

• Requires more guidance for students to interpret multi-dimensional data.

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Classroom Suitability Overview

Feature	2‑Axis Sensor	3‑Axis (Wireless) Sensor
Axes Measured	Radial & Axial	X, Y, and Z (Full 3‑D)
Ideal Use	Simple field mapping & direction study	Advanced 3‑D visualization & analysis
Ease of Use	Very intuitive	Needs some training for full use
Connectivity	PASPORT interface	Wireless and USB (Bluetooth 5.2)
Battery / Power	Passive or wired	Rechargeable LiPo; long-lasting
Best For	Intro/GCSC lessons	A-Level, complex experiments

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Final Thoughts

The 2-Axis Magnetic Field Sensor shines in straightforward, planar investigations—especially when you're teaching students about field components, Helmholtz coils, or basic magnet mapping.

The Wireless 3-Axis Magnetic Field Sensor, on the other hand, elevates experiments into truly spatial exploration, making it a powerful tool for advanced lessons or immersive demonstrations where understanding direction—and depth—matters.

At Philip M Russell Ltd, we recommend starting lessons with the 2-axis model for clarity and simplicity, and progressing to 3-axis when students are ready to explore magnetic fields in full dimension.