Using a mobile phone acceleration sensor in physics experiments on free and damped harmonic oscillations

We have used a mobile phone acceleration sensor, and the Accelerometer Monitor application for Android, to collect data in physics experiments on free and damped oscillations. Results for the period, frequency, spring constant, and damping constant agree very well with measurements obtained by other methods. These widely available sensors are likely to find increased use in instructional laboratories. 2013 American Association of Physics Teachers.