Teaching labs for blind students: Equipment to measure the inertia of simple objects

This article describes a laboratory experiment for blind students to measure the moment of inertia of simple objects; in this case, that of a disc about its axis of symmetry. We adapted our usual lab to modify the data collection process, using an open-source electronic platform to convert visual si...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of physics 2024-11, Vol.92 (11), p.889-891
Main Authors: Lisboa, Alfredo, Peña, Francisco J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
College students
Data collection
Inertia
Laboratories
Physics
Teaching methods
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Summary:This article describes a laboratory experiment for blind students to measure the moment of inertia of simple objects; in this case, that of a disc about its axis of symmetry. We adapted our usual lab to modify the data collection process, using an open-source electronic platform to convert visual signals into acoustic signals. This allowed blind students at our University to participate alongside their classmates in the mechanics lab. Editor's Note: As educators, we value inclusion, although we sometimes struggle with how to implement it in real life. This paper presents a practical realization of an undergraduate mechanics labs designed to determine the moment of inertia of a disk rotating about its axis, specifically tailored to be accessible for blind students.
ISSN:0002-9505
1943-2909
DOI:10.1119/5.0152980