Air Resistance From the Acceleration of a Falling Smartphone

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how smartphone accelerometer data can be used to analyze air resistance effects on falling objects, providing an accessible educational tool for fluid dynamics studies.

Contribution

It introduces a method to study air drag using smartphone sensors, validating turbulent drag models through real-world acceleration data.

Findings

Turbulent drag model fits acceleration data well

Smartphone accelerometers can effectively measure air resistance

Educational applications for fluid dynamics analysis

Abstract

This study investigates the motion of a falling smartphone under the influence of air drag using acceleration data collected by its built-in accelerometer. The proper acceleration profiles demonstrate the suitability of the turbulent drag model in capturing the motion dynamics during both upward and downward phases. This approach provides an effective and accessible method for exploring fluid dynamics concepts in an educational context.