Using a hall sensor with GoGo board to determine angular speed and angular frequency

Abstract

Abstract This research focuses on modifying two physics experiments, a rotating wheel and a simple harmonic oscillator, to train pre-service physics teachers with an emphasis on digital and maker skills. The primary aims are twofold: first, to demonstrate the application of a Hall sensor, combined with the GoGo Board, in determining the angular speed in the rotating-wheel experiment and the angular frequency in the oscillation experiment. The second aim involves comparing these results with those obtained from high-speed video analysis using the Tracker software. To measure the period, a neodymium magnet was attached to both the wheel and mass. A block-based code was developed to control the Hall sensor and record the time when the magnet entered the detectable range of the sensor. In both experiments, high-speed videos at 250 fps were recorded and analysed using Tracker software. The study revealed that while the Hall sensor yields accurate measurements at lower speeds, its performance declines at higher speeds owing to limitations in accurately detecting the position of the magnet. In a simple harmonic oscillation experiment, the Hall sensor proved to be more effective at slower speeds. Although the Hall sensor approach resulted in a higher percentage error, it significantly enhanced students’ learning experience in terms of computational thinking and digital/maker skills.