Martín Monteiro

La interpretación de gráficas en cinemática constituye un desafío persistente en la enseñanza de la física. El Proyecto MissionMotion aborda esta dificultad mediante un entorno físico-computacional gamificado que combina sensores de bajo costo, actividad corporal, pensamiento computacional y visualización en tiempo real de gráficos de movimiento. Presentamos el diseño, desarrollo e implementación de la propuesta, con especial énfasis en la fase piloto realizada con estudiantes de educación media en Uruguay. En esta etapa, utilizamos el cuestionario MEEGA+ como instrumento principal para evaluar la experiencia de juego, la usabilidad y la motivación de los participantes. El análisis de los resultados muestra altos niveles de satisfacción, percepción de aprendizaje y compromiso, lo que respalda la viabilidad de la propuesta. Finalmente, proyectamos una evaluación conceptual a gran escala destinada a analizar cómo la propuesta impacta en la comprensión de gráficas cinemáticas, utilizando herramientas de evaluación estandarizadas.

The Ampère–Maxwell law and the displacement current constitute one of the most difficult aspects of electromagnetic theory for students in introductory electrom

This work explores the role of the displacement current in systems beyond capacitors, focusing on coaxial cables and resistors with alternating currents. Although its contribution, compared to that of the conduction current, is negligible at low frequencies, the displacement current becomes essential for accurately describing electromagnetic fields in dynamic regimes. Introductory physics textbooks typically restrict the discussion of displacement currents to capacitor charging, which can limit the students’ understanding of its broader relevance and the interdependence of Maxwell’s equations. By analyzing two specific cases, we clarify the conditions under which the displacement current can be neglected, when simplified laws like Biot-Savart are valid, and where coupled electromagnetic equations are essential. This approach highlights the boundaries of common models and promotes a deeper understanding of dynamic field interactions.

We measure the magnetic field produced by a linear octupole formed by four magnets placed in such a way that both their magnetic moments and their quadrupole mo We measure the magnetic field produced by a linear octupole formed by four magnets placed in such a way that both their magnetic moments and their quadrupole mo

In recent years, the teaching of experimental science and engineering has been revolutionized by the integration of smartphone sensors, which are widely used by a large portion of the population. Concurrently, interest in solar energy has surged. This raises the important question of how smartphone sensors can be harnessed to incorporate solar energy studies into undergraduate education. We provide comprehensive guidelines for using smartphone sensors in various conditions, along with detailed instructions on how to calibrate them with widely accessible clear-sky satellite data. This smartphone-based method is also compared with professional reference measurements to ensure consistency. This experiment can be easily conducted with most smartphones, basic materials, and a clear, open location over a few hours (methods). The findings demonstrate that smartphones, combined with simple resources, can accurately measure solar irradiance and support experiments on solar radiation physics, atmospheric interactions, and variations in solar energy across locations, cloud cover, and time scales. This approach provides a practical and accessible tool for studying solar energy, offering an innovative and engaging method for measuring solar resources.

We present an experiment on forced convection where a previously heated object is cooled under the effect of a controlled stream of air. We consider a square copper plate in which temperature variations can be considered negligible and we measure the cooling rate as a function of the average velocity of the air stream. We use a thermal camera to measure the temperature field and the cooling curves as a function of time for different conditions. An empirical relation between the characteristic cooling time and the mean velocity of the air stream is reported. The results obtained are discussed in the framework of simple dimensional models and their limits of validity.

We present an experiment on forced convection where a previously heated object is cooled under the effect of a controlled stream of air. We consider a square copper plate in which temperature variations can be considered negligible and we measure the cooling rate as a function of the average velocity of the air stream. We use a thermal camera to measure the temperature field and the cooling curves as a function of time for different conditions. An empirical relation between the characteristic cooling time and the mean velocity of the air stream is reported. The results obtained are discussed in the framework of simple dimensional models and their limits of validity.

The Atwood machine, a traditional device in physics, has been an invaluable tool for demonstrating and understanding the fundamental principles of Newtonian mec

This article presents a novel method for studying RLC series circuits using two smartphones, one used as a signal generator and the other as an oscilloscope. We measure the voltage at the external resistor as a function of frequency when subjected to a sinusoidal electromotive force. The experimental results demonstrate a remarkable agreement with the theoretical curve for the voltage at the resistor and the resonance frequency, validating the accuracy of the smartphone-based setup. The experiment fills the gap in educational materials related to electrical circuits and provides a portable alternative to traditional, expensive laboratory equipment.

The Atwood Machine, a classic apparatus in physics education, has historically been pivotal in demonstrating Newtonian mechanics, specifically Newton's Second Law. This study introduces an innovative adaptation, the circular Atwood machine, aimed at exploring circular motion and angular dynamics and integrating emerging technologies, specifically smartphone sensors. Through a rotating disc subjected to controlled external torque, the experiment delves into the relationship between the torque applied and the resulting angular momentum. The study not only presents the theoretical framework but also outlines a practical setup using readily available materials, emphasizing the potential for contemporary technology to enhance the comprehension and teaching of fundamental physical concepts.