Using scratch programming to control photogates in educational physics experiments

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Da Silva, LF (Author) Other; Carvalho, PS (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Physics Education

Vol. 55

ISSN: 0031-9120

Publisher: Institute of Physics Publishing

Indexing

Scopus - 3 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Physical sciences > Physics

FOS: Social sciences > Educational sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00R-WTY

DOI: 10.1088/1361-6552/ab49e0

Abstract (EN): This frontline shows how to build a computer-controlled photogate using Snap4Arduino, a programming environment derived from Scratch for controlling the Arduino microcontroller board. The advantages of the proposed photogate are that it is affordable to schools, easy-to-assemble and simple to use by younger students in secondary schools who are not familiar with programming languages. An experiment was conceived to evaluate the device proposed that matched the performance of a commercial photogate. We show that the computer-controlled photogate setup can be used in experiments with objects moving fast (like in free fall) with a good precision. © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific