Abstract:

In this study, we conducted a laboratory exercise on protein coagulation using a smartphone and an exposure meter. This exercise proves to be a practical addition to primary and secondary school curricula and facilitates the investigation of various factors that affect protein coagulation. Although the results are generally in line with expectations, it should be noted that this approach may not be sufficient for precise laboratory measurements and comprehensive coagulation studies. Our main goal in this exercise is to explain protein coagulation in an understandable and simple manner while improving students' laboratory skills. This exercise uses the Phyphox application, which is readily available, along with materials that are accessible to students in their home environment. Based on the results of the exercise, we can assert that smartphones with built-in sensors serve as invaluable tools for lab work and support learning both in the home environment and in distance education.

The purpose of this study is to introduce the use of smartphones as a tool for measuring and monitoring data in laboratory experiments. We chose a laboratory exercise on protein coagulation in egg white as a model and adapted it for smartphone use.

The original lab exercise was designed for computer-based lab work using desktop computers and analog-to-digital converters. However, we adapted it to be compatible with smartphones by using the built-in light meter activated by a special application.

In this laboratory exercise, we investigated the effects of different coagulants such as temperature, acetic acid, and alcohol on the rate of protein coagulation. To simulate the processes in the stomach more practically, we replaced hydrochloric acid with readily available acetic acid.

We linked the results of our measurements to real-life examples, relating the effect of temperature on proteins to the process of sunburn in the human body and linking the effect of acid to gastric activity. We also investigated how different concentrations of alcohols affect the coagulation of proteins and linked this to processes at cell membranes.

After reviewing various studies, we found that a smartphone can be an excellent measurement tool for various experiments, especially in physics. It has been found that experiments using smartphones can effectively motivate students by giving them the opportunity to experiment with their own tools. In addition, these experiments are more accessible, and the measurement applications are user-friendly, even for fieldwork.

The goal of this research was to present smartphones as tools for measuring and monitoring data. As a model for this presentation, we demonstrated a laboratory experiment in which we integrated the judicious use of a smartphone, a light meter, and the use of the freely available Phyphox application into the teaching objectives. In this exercise, we investigated the difference in brightness of egg whites before and after coagulation. We transferred the theoretical knowledge to the home lab, where we developed different skills and gained first experience in using a smartphone in a (home) lab environment. The results obtained were interpreted and related to the functioning of proteins and coagulants in the human body.

Keywords:

Smartphone sensor, science education, protein coagulation, light sensor, Phyphoxm Mobile learning.