Smartphones and Water: A Good Mix?
Smartphones and Water:
A Good Mix?
This month, we share a variety of novel ideas that make use of Physics Toolbox and other mobile sensors for studying the world, with a few focus articles on ocean waves, underwater cables, and measuring fluid oscillations with magnets. These and many other articles help to bridge classroom education with applied research.
First, we invite you to check out a blog from educators on the JOIDES Resolution, an exploratory vessel funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation for deep-sea research:
Science-ing the Storm
Physics Toolbox recently took a ride on a big ship, helping this blog's authors to see the beauty in patterns of the ocean waves.
In the News
Underwater Cables and their Effect on Ocean Skates
Humans are eager to use the power of the ocean to generate electricity, as this is viewed as more environmentally friendly. However, research that made use of Physics Toolbox' magnetometer shows that high-current cables may affect the ocean's wildlife.
Measuring Docility, Boldness, and Exploration in Yellow Ground Squirrels
How do you measure the behavior of animals? This group measured squirrels' movement reactivity with Physics Toolbox's accelerometer.
Smartphone Good Enough for Geomagnetic Feature Mapping?
This study in Egypt compared the effectiveness of Physics Toolbox's magnetometer on their device with a proton precession magnetometer.
Interpersonal Synchrony in Dance/Movement Therapy
Building on earlier research with Physics Toolbox Accelerometer, this article explores the use of accelerometers to quantify the effects of dance therapy on middle school students.
Detecting Human Actions in Health Monitoring
This study uses smartphone sensors, in combination with "one-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1D-CNN) for more accurate human action analysis."
Laser-Based Indoor Mobile Wireless Communication Aided by Stabilizers
There is only so much bandwidth in 5G networks, that researchers are looking at how "LiFi" can supplement "WiFi." Physics Toolbox's accelerometer was used to help analyze how device orientation affects its ability to capture LiFi signals.
Better Bike Route Planning
Planning for pleasant bike routes can minimize pressure on city transportation systems. Physics Toolbox's accelerometer data was combined with information on travel speeds and changes in elevation.
Testing a Mission Environment for a Chip-Scale Atomic Clock
The Colorado Nanosat Atomic Clock Testbed has published its fundings about the use of a new atomic clock that they hope will improve navigation on low-earth orbit satellites. Magnetic field testing made use of Physics Toolbox's magnetometer.
Lesson Ideas
Measuring Fluid Oscillations with a Smartphone Magnetometer
Fluid oscillations are important in modern-day industrial equipment. However, they are quite different from the simple pendulums often found in classrooms. This Portuguese-language paper explores how to use Physics Toolbox's magnetometer to measure fluid oscillations in a hose, using a floating magnet that rests on the water's surface.
Magnetic Field of a Linear Octupole
Introductory students learn that a magnetic dipole's field strength decreases by the inverse of the cube of the distance, but what about an octupole?
The e/m Experiment
A classic experiment in introductory university physics is to use two coils of electric current (Helmholz coils) to aid in the measurement of the ratio of the charge of an electron to its mass. Systematic uncertainty is an important component of this lab. Physics Toolbox's magnetometer can aid in getting a measurement of the strength and uniformity of environmental magnetic fields influencing the result.
Lessons Learned from the Inter-American Dialogue Table for Science Education
In early 2021, Physics Toolbox developers were asked to participate as virtual workshop leaders for a conference focused on teaching science in the times of COVID. This report shares the lessons learned, reflections on the experience of teaching under COVID, and provides some insights as to teachers' value and use of mobile sensors for teaching in both the classroom and in distance learning formats.
Upcoming Events
Come say hello at these upcoming events! Drop us a note at support@vieyrasoftware.net or on X @physicstoolbox.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
Chicago, IL | Sept. 26, 8-9:15 AM
Building Embodied Intuition for Science Graphs with Smartphone Motion Games
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