Using Mobile Phone as Sensor

in Physics Experiment

Download Material

www.plk83.edu.hk/PH/project15.zip

Background

A class of above average students

Full report experiment for F.5 SBA

Have previous experience of using Android phone to do mechanics experiment (1 non-SBA experiment done in F.4)

Semi-open experiment: with fixed apparatus and methodology but the objectives of the experiment are open-end

Timeline

One briefing session in normal lesson (~40 minutes) to explain worksheet and teach how to write a full report

One session in post-exam period (June) for trial of apparatus (half of the class each time, not compulsory)

One 1-hour session in post-exam period (July) for carrying out the experiment (1/4 of the class each time)

Submit report during early Summer Vacation (extra-lessons)

Group size

2 students per group (19 groups)

Full report is submitted individually

Groups are assigned in random

Marking Scheme

Only the report counts mark.

Mark Range: 10 - 17

Marking Scheme

Title & objective – 1M

Theory – 4M

Data – 3M

Graph & Analysis – 4M

Conclusion – 2M

Discussion – 4M

Others (e.g. late submission, bad presentation) – 2M

Marking Scheme

Objective must be clear and workable.

Theory should show the expected relationship between parameters to study. Force diagram is required. Formula are expected. Extra mark given if the effect and property of friction is explained.

Marking Scheme

Conclusion should be corresponding to the objectives.

Analysis should support the conclusion.

Discussion should be related to the experiment.

Sample Scripts

Sample Scripts

Theory – 1M

Sample Scripts

Theory – 4M

Sample Scripts

Sample Scripts

Sample Scripts

Sample Scripts

Show conservation of energy ?

Sample Scripts

Show Newton’s 2nd Law ?

Sample Scripts

Find friction at different angles ?

Sample Scripts

Find the error of measurement of friction

Sample Scripts

Good example – Result & Analysis 3.5 M

Summary

Students are very green in the spirit of scientific method.

They can make very low level logical mistakes.

They can mix up cause and consequence.

They may consider unrelated things related.

They are quite weak in drawing conclusion (very few students can get 2M in conclusion).

Summary

This is good chance for the students to “touch” scientific method.

The technique can be very useful in their future.

In the area of IT, the students are far better than we imagine.

Thank You