MEASURING THE MOMENT OF INERTIA OF A SMARTPHONE USING THE ROLLING METHOD

Moment of inertia is a core concept in university physics and experimental teaching. Although traditional measurement methods are mature, they have limitations such as expensive equipment and complex operations. This paper innovatively proposes a rolling cylinder method for measuring moment of inertia based on the Phyphox software. In this method, a smartphone is fixed inside a rigid cylinder and allowed to roll without slipping down an inclined plane. The gyroscope sensor is used to collect motion data in real time, thereby obtaining the moment of inertia of the smartphone. This method not only features simple experimental setup and low cost but is also easy to implement in conventional classroom settings, offering strong teaching applicability. To verify the reliability of the method, we systematically conducted variable-parameter experiments at different inclination angles, performed a quantitative uncertainty assessment of the experimental results, and compared the measured values with theoretical ones. Furthermore, with the assistance of artificial intelligence programming, we developed a virtual simulation experiment of the rolling cylinder method based on the NuSEP platform. This paper further provides a complete teaching design for this experimental method. Through four class hours of teaching practice, it not only deepens students' understanding of rigid body rotation but also significantly enhances their innovative experimental skills and AI literacy through links such as Phyphox application and AI-assisted programming. This provides new insights for university physics and experimental teaching.