Papers by Martín Monteiro
arXiv (Cornell University), Jun 23, 2022
We show how builtin sensors in mobile devices can be used as portable laboratories at the service... more We show how builtin sensors in mobile devices can be used as portable laboratories at the service of teaching experimental sciences, especially physics, in the last years of high school and first years of university. We describe experiments that previously required expensive apparatus or were not feasible in teaching laboratories. Finally, we discuss some perspectives about the use of sensors in the physics teaching.
arXiv (Cornell University), Jan 15, 2019
Mostramos aquí cómo crear a partir de filmaciones digitales usando el conocido software Tracker f... more Mostramos aquí cómo crear a partir de filmaciones digitales usando el conocido software Tracker fotos estroboscópicas con el objetivo de analizar distintos tipos de movimientos. La ventaja de este procedimiento es que es posible analizar la foto impresa o en la pantalla de forma intuitiva para los estudiantes. Luego de presentar una perspectiva histórica de la utilización de las fotos estroboscópicas en la enseñanza media discutimos varios ejemplos: el movimiento de un autito a control remoto, un choque elástico en el plano, el movimiento de un proyectil y también un experimento de electromagnetismo, más concretamente, la descarga de un capacitor medida utilizando un multímetro analógico.
Modelling in Science Education and Learning
Mostramos como los sensores incorporados en dispositivos móviles pueden ser utilizados como labor... more Mostramos como los sensores incorporados en dispositivos móviles pueden ser utilizados como laboratorios portátiles al servicio de la enseñanza de las ciencias experimentales, especialmente de la física, en los últimos años de la educación media y los primeros de la universitaria. Describimos experimentos que antes requerían costosos aparatos o que no eran factibles en laboratorios de enseñanza. Finalmente, discutimos algunas perspectivas del uso de los sensores en la enseñanza de la física.
arXiv (Cornell University), Apr 19, 2023
arXiv (Cornell University), Mar 28, 2023
Physics Education
We propose a home laboratory in which a telescopic vacuum cleaner pipe and a smartphone are used ... more We propose a home laboratory in which a telescopic vacuum cleaner pipe and a smartphone are used to investigate sound speed and acoustic resonance. When the pipe is hit or the hands clapped near one end, the sound produced is registered by a smartphone. The resonant frequency is obtained using a smartphone and an appropriate application. Varying the pipe’s length and registering the corresponding resonant frequency allows to obtain the sound speed. This home-lab, first proposed during Covid-19 pandemic, has been incorporated as a home challenge to experiment with acoustic resonance in new normal times.
American Journal of Physics
This Resource Letter provides a guide to the literature on teaching experimental physics using se... more This Resource Letter provides a guide to the literature on teaching experimental physics using sensors in tablets, smartphones, and some specialized devices. After a general discussion of hardware (sensors) and software (apps), we present resources for experiments using mobile-device sensors in many areas of physics education: mechanics, oscillations and waves, optics, electromagnetism, matter, modern physics, and astronomy.
Alambique: Didáctica de las ciencias experimentales, 2021
arXiv: Physics Education, 2019
A physical pendulum with variable point of suspension (and, as an outcome, variable inertia momen... more A physical pendulum with variable point of suspension (and, as an outcome, variable inertia moment) is experimentally analysed. In particular, the period of the small oscillations as a function of position of the suspension point is measured using three different methods: a smartphone used both as an independent tool or as a data-logger and commercial photo-gate. The experimental results are successfully compared with theoretical calculations based on the addition of inertia moments and the Steiner theorem.
arXiv: Physics Education, 2019
In this paper we discuss the use of sensors incorporated in mobile devices as possible mobile lab... more In this paper we discuss the use of sensors incorporated in mobile devices as possible mobile laboratories at the service of teaching experimental sciences. Mobile devices, smartphones, tablets, laptops, microbit cards, are a resource for making measurements of the physical world, since they have a set of built-in sensors that allow to measure position, linear speed, angular speed, acceleration, pressure, sound, color, magnetic field, proximity or luminosity, among others. Also, these devices have greatly improved the performance of their video cameras, allowing to easily shoot at high speed and high resolution. Given its portability it is possible to work in the laboratory itself or in other areas such as a gym, a park or your own home, transcending the traditional scope of the laboratory. In general, the measurements obtained can be analyzed in the device itself or uploaded to the cloud to be analyzed la
Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2019
In the last years, numerous Physics experiments using smartphone sensors have been reported in th... more In the last years, numerous Physics experiments using smartphone sensors have been reported in the literature. In this presentation we focus on a less-explored feature of the smartphones: the possibility of using (measure and register data) simultaneously with more than one sensor. To illustrate, in the field of mechanics simultaneous use of the accelerometer and gyroscope (angular velocity sensor) or in optics experiments synchronous use of the ambient light and orientation sensors have been proposed. Indeed, this is a characteristic that simplifies experimental setups allowing to see through the physics concepts and, last but not least, reducing the costs.
Enseñanza de la Física, 2021
We investigate the epistemological conceptions of the uruguayan Physics teachers and future Physi... more We investigate the epistemological conceptions of the uruguayan Physics teachers and future Physics teachers through the application of the CLASS test (Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey), one of the most accepted instruments in the research community in Physics education. The results obtained allow us to compare the attitudes and beliefs about science of both groups and quantitatively evaluate the agreement or not with the conceptions of experts in the field. First, we present a general screenshot of the responses and then we identify categories in which there are significant similarities or differences between the two groups studied and in turn with the reference of the experts. The categories that show significant positive or negative variations between the opinions of future teachers and teachers indicate the areas where training is favorable or unfavorable. On the other hand, the areas where the differences with the opinions of the experts are globally notorious suggest that they should be strengthened. To get a more global perspective, we also compare our results with those published in the literature. Finally, we raise several questions that we think may favor further inquiries.
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, 2019
We propose a set of modern and stimulating activities related to the teaching of Astronomy orient... more We propose a set of modern and stimulating activities related to the teaching of Astronomy orientated to high school or university students using smartphones. The activities are: a) the experimental simulation of asteroid light curves including the determination of the period of rotation of asteroids, b) the experimental simulation of exoplanet detection by transit method, c) the experimental simulation of stellar distances using parallax and d) the use of virtual and augmented reality.
Originally an empirical law, nowadays Malus' law is seen as a key experiment to demonstrate t... more Originally an empirical law, nowadays Malus' law is seen as a key experiment to demonstrate the transverse nature of electromagnetic waves, as well as the intrinsic connection between optics and electromagnetism. In this work, a simple and inexpensive setup is proposed to quantitatively verify the nature of polarized light. A flat computer screen serves as a source of linear polarized light and a smartphone (possessing ambient light and orientation sensors) is used, thanks to its built-in sensors, to experiment with polarized light and verify the Malus' law.
The characteristics of the inner layer of the atmosphere, the troposphere, are determinant for th... more The characteristics of the inner layer of the atmosphere, the troposphere, are determinant for the earth's life. In this experience we explore the first hundreds of meters using a smartphone mounted on a quadcopter. Both the altitude and the pressure are obtained using the smartphone's sensors. We complement these measures with data collected from the flight information system of an aircraft. The experimental results are compared with the International Standard Atmosphere and other simple approximations: isothermal and constant density atmospheres.
Nuestro mundo está cada vez más influenciado por la ciencia y la tecnología. En consecuencia, la ... more Nuestro mundo está cada vez más influenciado por la ciencia y la tecnología. En consecuencia, la comprensión pública de la ciencia es un factor clave en el desarrollo social, económico y sostenible. Aunque la divulgación científica ha crecido significativamente, la mayoría de las actividades se realizan en inglés. Por lo tanto, la creación y disponibilidad de contenido educativo y científico en español latino ha sido descuidada y obstaculizada. Como resultado, los latinoamericanos tienen poco acceso a contenido adecuado, confiable y culturalmente relevante sobre comunicación científica. Para abordar este tema, un grupo de científicos de diversas disciplinas y países se reunieron para crear la Red Latinoamericana de Cultura Científica (RedLCC). La RedLCC es una iniciativa regional de base que une fuerzas para la difusión de contenidos sobre ciencia y tecnología en español. Desde sus diferentes disciplinas y antecedentes culturales, los miembros de esta red multinacional están comprom...
The dynamics of a traditional toy, the yoyo, is investigated theoretically and experimentally usi... more The dynamics of a traditional toy, the yoyo, is investigated theoretically and experimentally using smartphone' sensors. In particular, using the gyroscope the angular velocity is measured. The experimental results are complemented thanks to a digital video analysis. The concordance between theoretical and experimental results is discussed. As the yoyo is a ubiquitous, simple and traditional toy this simple proposal could encourage students to experiment with everyday objects and modern technologies.
The shape of liquid surface in a rotating frame depends on the angular velocity. In this experime... more The shape of liquid surface in a rotating frame depends on the angular velocity. In this experiment, a fluid in a rectangular container with a small width is placed on a rotating table. A smartphone fixed to the rotating frame simultaneously records the fluid surface with the camera and also, thanks to the built-in gyroscope, the angular velocity. When the table starts rotating the surface evolves and develops a parabolic shape. Using video analysis we obtain the surface's shape: concavity of the parabole and height of the vertex. Experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions. This problem contributes to improve the understanding of relevant concepts in fluid dynamics.
Physics Education, 2022
The flight of a quadcopter drone, readily available as a toy, is analyzed using simple physics co... more The flight of a quadcopter drone, readily available as a toy, is analyzed using simple physics concepts. A smartphone with built-in accelerometer and gyroscope was attached to the drone to register the accelerations and angular velocities along the three spatial axis while the drone is taking off, landing or rotating. The vertical speed, the height and one of the angular coordinates are obtained through numerical integration of the acceleration values and compared with information provided by the manufacturer. The analysis of these quantities provides an opportunity to gain insight into important physics concepts involving Newton laws and conservation principles in a stimulating environment.
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Papers by Martín Monteiro