ERIC Number: EJ1114124
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Nov
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-9120
EISSN: N/A
DIY Soundcard Based Temperature Logging System. Part I: Design
Nunn, John
Physics Education, v51 n6 Article 065002 Nov 2016
This paper aims to enable schools to make their own low-cost temperature logging instrument and to learn something about its calibration in the process. This paper describes how a thermistor can be integrated into a simple potential divider circuit which is powered with the sound output of a computer and monitored by the microphone input. The voltage across a fixed resistor is recorded and scaled to convert it into a temperature reading in the range 0-100 °C. The calibration process is described with reference to fixed points, and the effects of non-linearity are highlighted. An optimised calibration procedure is described which enables sub degree resolution and a software program was written which makes it possible to log, display, and save temperature changes over a user determined period of time.
Descriptors: Climate, Physics, Science Instruction, Science Education, Science Laboratories, Science Experiments, Audio Equipment, Computer Software, Scientific Concepts, Measurement Techniques, Heat, Measurement Equipment, Thermodynamics, Foreign Countries
Institute of Physics Publishing. The Public Ledger Building Suite 929, 150 South Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 215-627-0880; Fax: 215-627-0879; e-mail: info@ioppubusa.com; Web site: http://journals.iop.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A