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Accelerometer Projects

Accelerometers measure changes in velocity. Velocity is a term that describes both the speed and the direction of an object. Acceleration means any change in velocity, either in speed or direction. Accelerometers are used to learn about the forces acting on all objects. They can tell us about constant forces, such as gravity, as well forces undergone by cars as they travel or when when they crash.

Homemade Science
- You can design your own simple accelerometer using a 3-by-5 index card, a ruler, a piece of string and a metal washer. On the index card, draw a half-circle lengthwise, from one corner to the other. From the center of the diameter, which should be the edge of the index card, draw lines to the outer arc of the half circle in increments of 30 degrees. Take a 4-inch piece of string, and tie the washer to it at one end. Attach the other end to the center of the diameter, where the lines meet. Attach the index card to the end of a ruler.
Change of Direction
- Hold the ruler parallel to the ground and practice keeping it steady while you walk in a straight line. As you move around, watch what happens to the sting and washer when you make a turn. It will likely move to the side of the index card opposite the direction you turned. The greater the angle the string shows on the card, the greater the acceleration.
Start and Stop
- You can design a similar project to help teach you about the forces of acceleration involved in sudden stops and starts. Take another index card and draw lines across the length of it at 0.5-inch increments. Make a small hole in the exact center of the card. Tie a 3-inch long piece of string to a washer and, using the small hole you made, attach it to the center of the index card. Attach the index card to the end of a ruler.
Learing About Acceleration
- Place the washer in the center of the card. Start walking forward. Observe what the washer does. You should notice that it moves closer to you, opposite the direction you are traveling. See what happens when you stop moving. The washer should move away from you, in the direction you were moving before you stopped. The quicker you start, or the more abruptly you stop, the farther the washer will travel across the card. This project is a great way to teach children about acceleration. You can also use it to demonstrate the importance of wearing seat belts, as you can show that just because a car stops, it doesn't mean the people inside the car do.

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