The use of smartphones to teach kinematics: an inexpensive activity

This frontline seeks to reinterpret a classic kinematic experiment that aims to mark the position and temporal instants of a fictional mobile object in a uniform motion, creating a table based on position × time and a linear graphic format. Generally, this approach requires sophisticated experimental apparatus (such as air mattresses or rails) that may limit its ability to be reproduced due to cost and thus jeopardising the exercise. Therefore, we suggest that this experiment be performed with real mobile objects to be able to observe the difficulty in controlling the kinematic variables that produce a ‘perfectly’ uniform movement. This object can be the student, playing a uniform motion walking on a trajectory with markings of 5 m in 5 m amounting to a total displacement of 30 m. Additionally, acceleration data is collected during the journey via a smartphone accelerometer, allowing for more in-depth discussions of these essential concepts for the study of bodies in motion.