EKG (Electrocardiography)
This lab centers around the use of the electrocardiogram sensor as an application of circuits and electronic filtering. An EKG practitioner applies both an AC filter and a muscle noise filter to properly use and interpret the electrical signal from the heart. In the lab, students are introduced to the relationship between electronic filtering and the function of an EKG to introduce RLC circuits and band-pass filtering. This exercise provides the motivation for life science and pre-health majors to learn concepts such as voltage, resistance, alternating and direct current, RLC circuits, as well as signal and noise. Not only are the basics of an RLC circuit introduced, but a real-world application enforces the relevance of this knowledge.
Learning Goals
Lab Instructions
EKG Laboratory Guide (pdf) (docx)
Assessments
Presentations
Justin C. Dunlap and Ralf Widenhorn, "Electrocardiogram Physics Lab Exercise," AAPT Summer Conference, Portland, OR (July 2010).