FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

SSI 3013
INFORMATION AND COMUNUCATION TECHNOLOGY IN SCIENCE

REPORT 1: DATA LOGGING

LECTURER 'S NAME: EN.AZMI BIN IBRAHIM
GROUP: A

PREPARED BY:

NAME MATRIC NUMBER

NURUL FATIHAH BINTI MAMAT D20151070967

NOR HAYATUN RAHIMAH BINTI ROSLI D20151070965

NURUL FATIHAH BINTI MUSTAPHA D20151070959

INTRODUCTION

A data logger or also known as datalogger or data recorder is an electronic device that records
data over time or in relation to location either with a built in instrument or sensor or via external
instruments and sensors. Increasingly, but not entirely, they are based on a digital processor (or
computer).

They generally are small, battery powered, portable, and equipped with a microprocessor,
internal memory for data storage, and sensors. Some data loggers interface with a personal
computer, use software to activate the data logger, view and analyse the collected data, while
others have a local interface device (keypad, LCD) and can be used as a stand-alone device.

Data loggers vary between general purpose types for a range of measurement applications to
very specific devices for measuring in one environment or application type only. It is common
for general purpose types to be programmable; however, many remain as static machines with
only a limited number or no changeable parameters. Electronic data loggers have replaced chart
recorders in many applications.

One of the primary benefits of using data loggers is the ability to automatically collect data on
a 24-hour basis. Upon activation, data loggers are typically organised and left unattended to
measure and record information for the duration of the monitoring period. This allows for a
complete, accurate picture of the environmental conditions being monitored, such as air
temperature and relative humidity.
BENEFITS OF DATA LOGGER

Using computers to record data has a number of advantages rather than recording data
manually:

 Measurements are always taken at the right time. Unlike a human the computer will not
forget to take a reading or take a reading too late or too early.
 Mistakes are not made in reading the results. Humans can make errors. For example it
is quite easy to misread the temperature using the scale on a thermometer.
 Data logging devices can be sent to places that humans cannot easily get to. For
example, to the planet Mars, into the bottom of a volcano, or onto a roof of a tall
building to get to a weather station.
 Graphs and tables of results can be produced automatically by the data logging
software. Therefore, the user can save a lot of time in order to complete their works.

DISADVANTAGE OF DATA LOGGER

The main disadvantage of using a data logging system is the initial cost of purchasing the
equipment. The equipment are highly expensive. The maintenance cost are also quite high.
Whilst a thermometer can be purchased for less than one pound, the price of the components of
a data logging system to record the temperature will be considerable.
ENGAGE

What happens?

1) When you drop a rock from a cliff?

Answer: It falls downwards.

2) When a skydiver jumps from a plane?

Answer: A skydiver will fall to the ground.

EMPOWER

Title: Picket Fence Free Fall

Objective: The goal of this experiment is to measure the acceleration due to gravity at the
Earth’s surface using a photogate and picket fence

Hypothesis: If a picket fence is dropped through a photogate, then it will fall at an acceleration
of 9.8m/s2 due to gravity acting on it

Experimental Design:

Materials:

 Stand
 Clamp
 Photogate (with connector cable)
 LabQuest2 data acquisition device
 USB cable
 Laptop
 Picket fence
 A cloth lunchbox to cushion the picket fence when it is dropped
 Setup and Procedure:

1. All of the materials needed for the experiment were gathered.

2. The materials were then assembled. The lab stand was stood up and the photogate was
clamped to it. The lunchbox was then placed placed below the stand
3. Next, the photogate was hooked up and synced to the computer so information could
be properly recorded.
4. Once the lab was completely set up, the picket fence was dropped between the
photogate twice and data was gathered each time.
5. Two graphs were then created to show the gathered data and were used to calculate the
acceleration.

Measurements and Observations:

 When the picket fence was dropped through the photogate, the velocity, distance and
acceleration was calculated and recorded for each trial using the LabQuest and
LoggerPro on the computer,

Results:

Trial 1:

This table illustrates the data collected for the first trial of the experiment. From the table it is
clear that the picket fence had an acceleration of about 9.8 m/s^2v
Graph:

This graph illustrates the velocity from the data collected in trial 1. The slope of this graph can
be calculated to give an acceleration for the picket fence. When I calculated it, I found that the
picket fence had an acceleration of about 9.82 m/s^2.

y=9.82 + 0.97

Trial 2:

This table shows the data collected from trial 2

Graph:

This graph shows the velocity of the picket fence from trial 2. The slope of the line could be
calculated to get the acceleration of the picket fence. The calculation came to about 9.82 m/s^2.

y=9.82 + 1.15

DISCUSSION

Questions:

1) What does the slope represent? What are the unit?

Answer: Acceleration. m/s^2.

2) Describe in words the shape of the velocity vs. time graph for the both graph.

Answer: The velocity vs. time graph is a straight line.

3) If an object is moving with constant acceleration, what is the shape of its velocity vs. time
graph?

Answer: An object in constant acceleration has a linear velocity vs. time graph; that is, the
slope of the graph is constant.

4) Does the initial velocity of an object have anything to do with its acceleration? For example,
compared to dropping an object, if you throw it downward would the acceleration be different
after you released it?

Answer: Initial velocity is independent of the slope of the graph; that is, the acceleration. An
object thrown downward still accelerates after release at the same rate as an object that is
dropped.

ENHANCE: APPLICATION

You’re screaming through the sky, safely tucked up in the cockpit of a jet fighter. Suddenly
there a loud bang and the engine give the signal to a stop. Well that’s just great, isn’t it? Here
you are at maybe 2000 km/h above the ground and your plane has chosen this exact moment
to break down. What should you do?

Answer: Eject as soon as you possibly can, wait for the plane to fly clear and then hit your
parachute.

CONCLUSION:

Data logger is useful in conduct the experiment, some free falls experiment that cannot
distinguish the acceleration and difficult to measure by the eyes captured and random errors
due to the environmental factors. However not all students able to learn this topic using
electronic device and computer software.

Meanwhile, problem based learning is also an attractive teaching methods as its student centred
pedagogy. Problem based learning involve such as engaged, empower and enhance phase.
REFERENCES:

(n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_logger

(n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.thomastallis.greenwich.sch.uk/gcse/gcseict3/online/artdlpc.htm
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://studylib.net/doc/8516928/the-picket-fence-and-atwood-s-
machine
Lindsey S. & Nathan M. (2015, November 1). Picket Fence Free Fall Lab. Retrieved from
Physics Wilson: http://wilsonsphysics.blogspot.my/2015/11/picket-fence-free-fall-
lab_3.html