Mobile device accelerometers are a simple and easy way for students to collect accurate and detailed data on an amusement park ride. The resulting data can be graphed to assist in the creation of force diagrams to help students explain their physical sensations while on the ride. This type of activity can help students overcome some of the conceptual difficulties often associated with understanding centripetal force and typical “elevator-type problems” that are inherent in so many amusement park rides that move, lift, and drop riders. This article provides some sample data and examples from a visit to Six Flags Great America.
REFERENCES
1.
P.
Vogt
and J.
Kuhn
, “Analyzing free fall with a smartphone acceleration sensor
,” Phys. Teach.
50
, 182
–183
(March 2012
).2.
P.
Vogt
and J.
Kuhn
, “Analyzing simple pendulum phenomena with a smartphone acceleration sensor
,” Phys. Teach.
50
, 439
–440
(Oct. 2012
).3.
J.
Kuhn
and P.
Vogt
, “Analyzing spring pendulum phenomena with a smartphone acceleration sensor
,” Phys. Teach.
50
, 504
(Nov. 2012
).4.
J.
Streepey
, “Using iPads to illustrate the impulse-momentum relationship
,” Phys. Teach.
51
, 54
(Jan. 2013
).5.
6.
M.
Erickson
, R.
Ochoa
, and C.
Ochoa
, “The Wiimote on the playground
,” Phys. Teach.
51
, 272
(May 2013
).7.
D.
Mullenax
, “Using the Wii Balance Board in elevator physics
,” Phys. Teach.
51
, 210
(April 2013
).8.
M.
Kouh
, D.
Holtz
, A.
Kawam
, and M.
Lamont
, “Wiimote experiments: Circular motion
,” Phys. Teach.
51
, 146
(March 2013
).9.
Six Flags Project Rubric, https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4-sNY3DrSFHSUM5b1JJckZDN0k/edit?usp=sharing.
10.
Physics Toolbox Accelerometer, https://play.google.com/store/se arch?q=vieyra+software&c=apps.
11.
Seismograph and accelerometer with Export, from Apple Store, accessed from iTunes.
12.
Physics Toolbox Apps, https://sites.google.com/site/physicstool-boxapps/accelerometer.
13.
See Ref. 1.
© 2014 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2014
American Association of Physics Teachers
AAPT members receive access to The Physics Teacher and the American Journal of Physics as a member benefit. To learn more about this member benefit and becoming an AAPT member, visit the Joining AAPT page.