We present here physics lessons on the application of the simple oscillation concept through measuring the rate of human respiration during various activities. The measurement used a smartphone’s magnetometer sensor, which recorded changes in the magnetic field of a permanent magnet that was attached to the stomach while breathing. Measurements were taken during rest, after walking for 10 min, and after running for 10 min. The experimental results showed that the magnetic field changed periodically with respiration, which indicated an oscillation. From the recorded magnetic field data, the oscillation period and respiratory rate per minute were calculated. From this experiment, physics students can learn that human breathing is an application of the concept of oscillation because it is periodic. This method is also an alternative to the conventional method using a stopwatch. Students also learn how activity affects the rate of breathing.

1.
M. S.
Darmawan
,
F.
Daeni
, and
P.
Listiaji
, “
The use of uizizz as an online assessment application for science learning in the pandemic era
,”
Unnes Sci. Educ. J.
9
,
144
(
2020
).
2.
K. K.
Jabbour
, “
An analysis of the effect of mobile learning on Lebanese higher education
,”
Inform. Educ. Int. J.
13
,
1
(
2014
).
3.
A. A.
Sakat
et al, “
Educational technology media method in teaching and learning progress
,”
Adv. Nat. Appl. Sci.
6
,
484
(
2012
).
4.
P.
Listiaji
,
M. S.
Darmawan
, and
F.
Daeni
, “
Comparison between the use of acceleration sensor and video tracker on smartphone for spring oscillation experiment
,”
Phys. Educ.
56
,
013001
(
2020
).
5.
P.
Listiaji
,
S.
Subhan
,
F.
Daeni
, and Karmuji, “
Error analysis in measuring physical quantities using various sensors on a smartphone
,”
Phys. Educ.
56
,
043066
(
2021
).
6.
L.
Tuset-Sanchis
,
J. C.
Castro-Palacio
,
J. A.
Gómez-Tejedor
,
F. J.
Manjón
, and
J. A.
Monsoriu
, “
The study of two-dimensional oscillations using a smartphone acceleration sensor: example of Lissajous curves
,”
Phys. Educ.
50
,
580
(
2015
).
7.
S.
Kapucu
, “
Finding the acceleration and speed of a light-emitting object on an inclined plane with a smartphone light sensor
,”
Phys. Educ.
52
,
055003
(
2017
).
8.
E.
Arribas
,
I.
Escobar
,
C. P.
Suarez
,
A.
Najera
, and
A.
Beléndez
, “
Measurement of the magnetic field of small magnets with a smartphone: a very economical laboratory practice for introductory physics courses
,”
Eur. J. Phys.
36
,
065002
(
2015
).
9.
M.
Monteiro
,
C.
Stari
,
C.
Cabeza
, and
A. C
Marti
, “
Magnetic field ‘fly by’ measurement using a smartphone’s magnetometer and accelerometer simultaneously
,”
Phys. Teach.
55
,
580
(
2017
).
10.
P.
Listiaji
and
G. B.
Suparta
, “
Low-cost imaging spectrophotometer system for absorbance measurement
,”
J. Phys. Conf. Ser.
1567
,
4
(
2020
).
11.
D.
Dahnuss
et al, “
Marbles and smartphone on physics laboratory: An investigation for finding coefficient of restitution
,”
J. Phys. Conf. Ser.
1918
,
2
(
2021
).
12.
P.
Listiaji
,
M.
Taufiq
,
N. L
Tirtasari
,
A.
Kholidah
, and
N. A. F.
Tanjung
, “
Measurement of air drag as physics experiment enrichment at senior high school laboratory using the air track apparatus
,”
J. Ilm. Pendidik. Fis. Al-Biruni.
9
,
1
(
2020
).
13.
U.
Pili
, “
Measurement of breathing rate with a smartphone magnetometer: an engaging classroom activity in physics and biology
,”
Phys. Educ.
54
,
063001
(
2019
).
14.
K. E.
Barrett
,
S. M.
Barman
,
H. L.
Brooks
, and
J.
Yuan
,
Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology
, 24th ed. (
McGraw-Hill
,
New York
,
2012
), p.
619
.
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.