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Possible Alternatives to Using an Oscilloscope for Measuring Action Potential in the Cockroach Leg Laboratory Matthew Croft Somerset High School
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Summary While the Measuring Action Potential in the Cockroach Leg Laboratory is interesting and worthwhile, the equipment is not commonly found in a typical high school science department. In addition, students may have difficulty operating oscilloscopes and obtaining data. Several alternatives to using oscilloscopes are discussed.
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#1. The Poor Man’s Oscilloscope
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Introduction Source: www.ledametrix.com/oscope/ It may be possible to construct a poor man’s oscilloscope using a 3.5mm audio cable that has been separated into three wires and attached to fine pins:
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Measuring Action Potential Oscilloscope Software Example: Audio Editing Software Examples:
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Measuring Action Potential Sample Data from Audacity: Speaker (similar to what we did in lab without the oscilloscope)
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Benefits & Drawbacks BenefitsDrawbacks Oscilloscope Software -Closest to original lab -Quantitative data with graph -Data can be saved -Purchase of Software -Possible damage to computer -Signal is not amplified Audio Editing Software -Free software is available -Quantitative data with graph -Data can be saved -Data is not collected in mV -Possible damage to computer -Signal is not amplified Speakers -Audio response can be rewarding to students -Data is not quantitative -Probably not feasible without amplifier
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#2. Multimeter
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Introduction It may be possible to measure action potential on a multimeter set on mV.
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Benefits & Drawbacks BenefitsDrawbacks Multimeter -Readily available -Easy to use -May not be sensitive enough -Data is not displayed in graphical format -Signal is not amplified
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#3. Vernier Sensors
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Introduction Vernier LabPro and LabQuest allow you to use a wide variety of sensors to collect information. Data can be analyzed in LoggerPro.
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Possible Sensors Voltage Probe
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Possible Sensors EKG Sensor
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Benefits & Drawbacks BenefitsDrawbacks Voltage Probe -Comes standard with LabPro -Quantitative data with graph -Will not damage computer -Data can be saved and LoggerPro allows for advanced data analysis -Purchase of Hardware & Software -Probe may not be sensitive enough -No ground wire -Measurements are in V EKG Sensor -Quantitative data with graph -Will not damage computer -Three leads -Measurements are in mV -Data can be saved and LoggerPro allows for advanced data analysis -Purchase of Hardware & Software -Probe may not be sensitive enough Ulf thinks it will work!
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