The iOLab device pictured above was developed by researchers at the University of Illinois for use in physics instructional labs. It may not look like much, but the device is packed full of sensors which are very useful for designing and conducting a wide range of experiments. Data from the different sensors are digitized and recorded remotely through a computer interface. You will use this device throughout all 3 quarters of the PHYS140's sequence. The sensors built into the interface include:

• Accelerometers along the X, Y and Z axes.
• A Barometer.
• A force sensor.
• Gyroscopes along the X, Y and Z axes.
• A light sensor.
• Magnetometers along the X, Y and Z axes.
• A Microphone.
• A Thermometer.
• A wheeled position encoder.

In addition, the iOLab contains a full suite of analog and digital inputs and outputs which you will use in future quarters.

The following exercises are intended to familiarize you with the iOLab interface and some of the sensors which you will use in the upcoming lab experiments. All together, it should not take more than 30 minutes or so to complete all of the exercises. In addition to showing you some of the capabilities of the interface, the exercises will hopefully inspire ideas for how you might measure the coefficients of friction in todays lab.

Your TA will walk you through the process of starting the software, paring the device with your computer and performing a calibration of the sensors.

These videos also show you how to pair and calibrate the devices.

Pairing the iOLab

Calibrating the iOLab

Once you have done this run through the following exercises, each of which should take no more than 5 minutes or so to complete. The idea is for you to learn how to configure the device and collect data, and to get a sense of its capabilities. To this end we want you to collect and analyze some data using different sensors as described below.

For each of the following exercises you should put some effort into understanding the information provided by each of the different types of sensors. For example, interpreting exactly what the accelerometer data means may take a little bit of thought. (You may have to Google accelerometer before you really understand what it tells you about the motion of the device.)

An emphasis of the lab component of this course is for you to learn how to discern for yourself how a sensor, detector, or other measuring device works, and how it can be used to accomplish an experimental objective. There are multiple sensors in the device which can be used in different ways to record data for this lab, and we are not going to tell you which sensors to use or how to use them. 

Using the iOLab software, configure the device to collect and display Wheel Position data for position, velocity and acceleration. Set the iOLab device on its wheels and either let it roll down an incline or give it a push and let it come to rest while recording data in the software. Use the software tools to verify that the slope of the velocity plot matches the acceleration over some region of the data.

Configure the interface to collect data using only the Light Sensor. Identify the location of the Light Sensor on the interface, and verify the location of the sensor by covering and uncovering the sensor with a finger while collecting data.

Next, configure the interface to collect and display data from both the Light Sensor and all three axes of the Accelerometer. Hang the iOLab by a string near a window or other light source (your phone in flashlight mode works well for this). Give it a spin and compare the light sensor data to the accelerometer sensor data. Examine the signals recorded from the  Light Sensor and Accelerometer. The orientation of the x, y, and zaxes are indicated on the iOLab interface. Make sure you understand the response of each of the accelerometers to the spinning motion of the interface.

Reconfigure the device to collect data using the Light Sensor and the Gyroscope Sensors. While the iOLab is hanging from the string give it a spin while collecting data.

Think about what information are the gyroscopes giving you? What kinematic quantity could you measure from the Gyroscope data and how could you use the data from the light sensor to confirm this measurement?

Configure the interface to record and display data using only the three Magnetometer axes. Locate the position of the magnetometers in the interface. Use the Neodymium magnet while collecting data to verify the location of the magnetometers. Move the magnet along all three axes and make sure that you understand how the data from each magnetometer responds.

Finally, figure out how to use the force probe to measure the mass of the iOLab device itself.

Every time you record data from the interface, the data are saved to files which are stored on the computer. Make sure you know where these data files are stored and how to open previously recorded data. Make sure you know how to rename the data files so that they are more descriptive of the data you have collected. We advise that you create a folder on the desktop with your initials into which you can move your files from their default storage location.

Whenever you record data during an experiment, you should include the names of saved data files in your lab notebook along with your other notes about the data contained in those files. This step is easy to skip while working on an experiment, and many students (and even professional researchers) think they will be able to remember what you they doing when they come back to it later. You will be surprised at how quickly important details of your data fade from your memory! Not taking the time to record details of your data as you take it can result in lost time when you end up retaking data due to insufficient documentation.