Smartphone gyroscope and rotation experiments
6 classroom-tested activities with the free FizziQ app, for high school, middle school.
The gyroscope measures angular velocity around the three axes of the phone. FizziQ uses it for angular velocity, the theodolite and the roller coaster recordings. Instruments in FizziQ: angular velocity, theodolite. Read the glossary entry on the gyroscope.
Each activity below has a protocol, expected results, scientific background, a printable PDF handout and a QR code that opens it directly in the app. FizziQ is free on iOS and Android, needs no account, and shows no advertising.
Activities
- Law of sines with a theodolite High school 40 min
Students measure the angles of a triangle in the schoolyard with the FizziQ smartphone theodolite, then apply the law of sines to calculate unknown distances.
- Tree height with a theodolite Middle school 30 min
Students aim the FizziQ smartphone theodolite at a treetop, measure the elevation angle and apply the tangent formula to calculate the height without climbing.
- Straight-line course, no compass Middle school 40 min
Walking 150 steps blindfolded, students hold a heading with the smartphone gyroscope and accelerometer in FizziQ, then judge the sensor drift rovers face on Mars.
- G-forces on a roller coaster High school 45 min
A smartphone zipped in a pocket logs G-forces, rotation and pressure during the ride. Back in class, FizziQ data gives the altitude profile and weightless phases.
- Moment of inertia of a cylinder High school 30 min
Taped to a rolling cylinder, a phone measures linear and angular acceleration on an incline; FizziQ data lets students calculate the moment of inertia. High school.
- Measurement uncertainty High school 25 min
Recording a smartphone gyroscope at rest then in rotation, students build histograms, compute standard deviation and separate signal from noise in FizziQ.
Other sensors
accelerometer · microphone · magnetometer · barometer · light sensor · camera · GPS · external sensors