Tools/Sensors: Difference between revisions

Technology continually innovates and just sometimes, technology's ability to provide an automatic result is worth reflecting on. An {{tag|accelerometer}} gives an insight into gravity by providing the number 9.8 - a figure for the acceleration caused by gravity. Another sensor, called a {{tag|light gate}}, can also measure acceleration but this result needs to be derived from measuring distance and time. Ultimately you have measured the same parameter but the advantage of using a light gate is that students must do the work to get to the answer. And that is very useful indeed. A further example may help: one type of breathing sensor 'integrates' chest movements to display a breathing rate on a screen. Another type of breathing sensor shows a wave of peaks as the chest moves. In the latter case, students need to count the peaks to obtain the breathing rate. An anaesthetist would find a direct readout of breathing rate useful while an engineer would find a direct readout of acceleration useful. A teacher however, would see opportunities for getting students to work things out.