Resumen de Gravitational Acceleration—A Smartphone Approach with the Magnetic Ruler

Marciano Santamaría Lezcano, Thiago J.A. Mori, E.S. Cruz de Gracia

• This paper presents a new and simple methodology to measure the magnitude of gravitational acceleration using a smartphone magnetometer sensor. In this way, we determine the temporal behavior of the magnet’s position previously fixed at different spacings along a ruler in a free-fall movement. The experimental data are interpreted within the theoretical model of the free fall of bodies to determine the magnitude of the gravitational acceleration. Results show a value close to those obtained by similar methods using other smartphone sensors and a theoretical model near Earth’s surface. Thus, we show a suitable methodology for the classroom, laboratory, or home experimental and inquiry activities.