Validation of Newton’s second law using Arduino: STEM teaching material

Abstract

The present work offers an experimental technique specially designed and employed to comprehend and teach the Newton’s second law and to overcome certain instructional difficulties. The apparatus is mainly comprised of two specifically designed toy cars, two force sensors, one distance sensor, a pulley, two pieces of gut, an Arduino microprocessor and an ordinary computer. Newton’s second law is experimentally validated by measuring, using the Arduino system, the accelerations from the distance–time graphs and by directly measuring the tension forces. The experimental results are also compared with theoretical calculations, indicating a reasonably good agreement. The designed apparatus can be employed as a Science Technology Engineering Mathematics teaching material within physics laboratories, to achieve enhanced understanding of Newton’s second law and dynamics.