Barometer (Alan Kodel)

Author

Alan Kodel-Vaughn Next Century Learning Center

Sensor / Probe

The barometer on your phone is able to measure the surrounding atmospheric pressure. There are a variety of applications that use this feature on smartphones.

Sample Investigation

Students in a Physiology or PE class can see the effect that atmospheric pressure has on exercise performance. As air pressure decreases the partial pressure of oxygen of oxygen decreases and less enters the lungs in each breath. Breathing rate will increase to compensate but max performance is still affected. Students would perform a particular exercise such as a run at various altitudes.

The effect of air pressure (independent variable) on the time(dependent variable) it takes to complete a 5 mile run.

Sample Data & Analysis and Interpretation

This chart shows an average mile timer for a 5 mile run at different altitudes. Higher altitudes correspond with lower atmospheric pressure and it is evident that the run takes a longer time as atmospheric pressure decreases.

Photos

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Movies

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Running Calculator