Year: 2026 | Month: May | Volume: 13 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 750-756
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260574
Designing ESP32- and Phyphox-Based Experiments for Teaching Electric Current and Circuits in Grade 11 Physics
Tran Quang Hieu1, Di Hoang Giang1, Tran Thi Thu1, Nguyen Thi Thu1
1Department of Physics, Thai Nguyen University of Education, Thai Nguyen University, Thai Nguyen City, Vietnam.
Corresponding Author: Tran Quang Hieu
ABSTRACT
Background: Practical work is central to physics education, but electric-current and circuit experiments in high schools often remain limited by equipment availability, manual data recording, and low visibility of real-time variation.
Objective: This study designed and evaluated a low-cost experimental system integrating an ESP32 microcontroller, a digital current/power sensor, and the Phyphox mobile application for teaching electric current and circuits in Grade 11 Physics.
Methods: The research combined literature review, technical design, experimental measurement, descriptive statistics, and expert evaluation. The device was designed to collect voltage and current data and display them as real-time numerical values and graphs on a smartphone. Two teaching applications were developed: volt-ampere characteristic/Ohm law verification and determination of electromotive force and internal resistance. Five high-school physics teachers evaluated the product using structured criteria.
Results: The designed system supported continuous data collection, real-time graphing, and classroom use for demonstration or group experiments. Teacher evaluation showed high scores for technical characteristics (mean = 4.38/5), time and classroom organization (4.32/5), pedagogical value (4.54/5), and practical applicability (4.60/5). The overall mean was 4.44/5, with 98.9% of ratings at levels 4-5.
Conclusion: The ESP32-Phyphox experimental system is a feasible tool for improving visualization, data processing, and experimental competence in teaching electric current and circuits. Further classroom trials with larger samples are recommended.
Keywords: ESP32; Phyphox; digital power sensor; physics experiment; electric current; Ohm law; Grade 11 Physics.
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