Diffraction Experiments with a Smart Cart
Abstract
The use of smartphones in experimental physics is by now widely accepted and documented. PASCO scientific’s Smart Cart, in combination with student-owned smartphones and free apps, has opened a new universe of low-cost experiments that have traditionally required cumbersome and expensive equipment. In this paper, we demonstrate the simplicity, convenience, and cost-savings achieved by replacing a plethora of traditional motion sensors, wires, interface boards, and other equipment clutter with the smart cart, PASPORT® High Sensitivity Light Sensor, and the free SPARKvue® app by carrying out diffraction measurements of light with a single as well as double slit. Rylander and Miller reported a similar experiment but with an ordinary laboratory cart and a motion sensor to extract the precise position of the light sensor. The use of the smart cart in this report obviates the need for using a motion sensor and the laborious extraction of the position data.
Faculty Members
- Steven Binz - Salisbury University , Salisbury, MD; amshakur@salisbury.edu
- Asif Shakur - Salisbury University , Salisbury, MD; amshakur@salisbury.edu
Themes
- simplification of experimental procedures
- advancements in measurement techniques
- accessibility in experimental physics
- integration of technology in education
- cost-effectiveness of scientific equipment
Categories
- Electrical and computer engineering
- Education, other
- Electrical and electronic engineering technologies
- Computer science
- Computer and information sciences
- Curriculum and instruction
- Education research
- Electrical and electronics engineering
- Educational instructional technology and media design
- Computer and information sciences nec
- Engineering
- Engineering technologies
- Education, general
- Education
- Computer and information sciences, other
- Electromechanical technologies
- Informatics and information technology