Abstract:

This article reports on the use of smartphone’s sensors to perform several experiments designed to teach Physics for first year engineering students. We have adapted traditional physics laboratory sessions to the use of the different sensors that can be found in a typical smartphone, such as an accelerometer, light and magnetic field sensors and a microphone. The existence of a large repository of free AndroidTM and AppleTM applications which exploit the characteristics of these sensors facilitates the design of new experiments. In addition, new applications for AndroidTM has been developed to perform some specific physical experiments.

The mark obtained by the students who had made the lab session with the smartphone has been compared with the mark obtained by students who have made traditional experiments. A survey was done to the students in order to obtain feedback and to evaluate the success of the experience. The results of the survey showed a good acceptance of this method triggering their curiosity, with an average mark of 9 over 10. the This project offers to the student a new way to think on smartphones as an attractive tool for possible application in experimental measurements and scientific demonstrations and not only as a socializing tool.

Keywords:

Smartphone, Physics, Lab practice.