Measuring Earth’s mean density using BYOD technology

Abstract

BYOD (Bring your own devices) technologies are becoming more relevant in the educational process, when equipment that is “in the pocket” of a modern student is used in classes. BYOD technology becomes most effective if all students are provided with research equipments. But it is difficult to ensure such conditions in terms of distance learning during the war, the coronavirus pandemic, etc. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to be able to develop laboratory installations that each student can make on his own. As an example of the implementation of this principle, the article considers a physical installation and a method of conducting laboratory work: “Measuring Earth’s mean density using BYOD technology”, which allows physics students, geodesists, surveyors to determine for themselves that the Earth has a heavy core. The purpose of this article is to show that a smartphone is a powerful measurement tool that, in combination with BYOD technology, increases student learning opportunities, namely: makes laboratory practice not too difficult; provides an opportunity to conduct experiments both in the laboratory and remotely. The main result of the work is proving the fact that the use of BYOD technology in combination with modern measuring tools – smartphones equipped with appropriate applications allows (to solve) the problem of distance learning of students. As it shown by the results of measuring the Earth’s mass and density using BYOD technology, the values are consistent with the known ones obtained with more difficult to use and expensive technique. Along with the values of mass and density, the student receives other characteristics of the Earth: the value and slope of the induction vector of its magnetic field. Exceeding of the Earth’s mean density, which is equal to 5676 kg/m3 according to the results of experiments; the density of the main rock-forming minerals in the Earth’s crust, which is in the range of 1900-3500 kg/m3, leads the student-researcher to think about the internal structure of the Earth.