INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN

SCIENCE
(SSI3013)
STELLA SIMULATION

Group Member’s Name & Aida Syazana Bt Azmi (D20151070966)

Matric No
Rosfarhana Bt Rozi (D20151070997)
Nur Shaheen Bt Ramzi (D20151070998)

Kumpulan A

Lecturer’s Name En. Azmi Bin Ibrahim

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Data logging is the process collection of data over a period of time, and is something
often used in scientific experiments. Data logging systems typically monitor a process using
sensors linked to a computer. Most data logging can be done automatically under computer
control. The main components of data logger are the sensor, interface and the computer.

The data logging process

In data logging process, sensors are the main role. All physical properties can be
measured with sensors such as light, heat, sound, pressure, acidity and humidity. The sensors
send signals to an interface box, which is linked to a computer. The interface box converts
analogue signals to digital signals that the computer can understand. The computer controlling
the process will take readings at regular intervals. The time interval for data logging is the time
between readings. The logging period is the total length of time over which readings are taken.
The readings are stored in tables and can be displayed in graphs or passed to an application, such
as a spreadsheet, for later analysis.

Sometimes it is necessary to record data 'out in the field'. This is called remote data
logging. Readings are stored and brought back to a computer where they are downloaded and
analyzed. The equipment in these situations needs to be very robust - equipment used to monitor
water levels would have to be waterproof; similarly equipment working in a satellite would have
to be able to withstand vibration during launch and recovery.

Benefits of using data logger in scientific experiments

Experiments using data logging equipment can take readings with high degrees of
accuracy as the result was generated by the computer without human intervention which can
cause error to the result. Moreover, the data logger can be set to take readings over a long period
of time for example, hourly temperature readings every day which benefits to scientists for their
research project.

Furthermore, data logger is a better processing and presentation of results as

the data collected from the science experiment can be processed by specialist software or put into
a spreadsheet. From the data logging process, graphs can be generated from the results and a
table value can be displayed. The report can then be saved and widely distributed in different
ways such as email.

2.0 DATA LOGGING SOUND LEVEL METER

A sound level meter that records and stores data over time. This noise measurement data is either
stored on the sound level meter’s built-in memory or to a connected stored device. A data
logging sound level meter is equipped with its own internal memory, that can be set-up the
instrument to measure and capture all the parameters you need at user-defined intervals.

Once completed the noise measurement, download the measurements from your data logging
sound level meter to your PC and store the readings. Once you have the readings, it’s easy to
view them, analyze them and share reports. With data logging, you can take the measurement
you need safe in the knowledge that everything has been stored on the internal memory for later
viewing.
 Sound Level Meter

2.1 ENGAGE

Definition of noise pollution.

Most of us are very used to the sounds we hear in everyday life. Loud music, the
television, people talking on their phone and the traffic. All of these have become a part of the
culture and rarely disturb us. However, when the sound of the television keeps you from sleeping
all night or the traffic starts to give you a headache, it stops becoming just noise and start turning
into noise pollution. How loud a sound seems to be depends on who is listening. In other words,
how loud things seem is a subjective things and not something we can easily measure. However,
what makes one sound seem louder than another is the amount of energy that the source of the
sound is pumping towards the listener in the form of pressure variations in the air.

Generally, noise pollution is defined as regular exposure to elevated sound levels that
may lead to adverse effects in humans or living organisms. According to the World Health
Organization, sounds levels less than 70dB are not damaging to living organisms, regardless of
how long or consistent the exposure is. Exposure for more than 8 hours to constant noise beyond
85 dB may be hazardous.
Causes of noise pollution.

1. Industrialization

To minimize the effect of noise, most of the workers in factories wearing ear plugs. This
is because most of the industries use big machines which are capable of producing large
amount of noise. Apart from that, various equipment like compressors, generators,
exhaust fans, grinding mills also participate in producing big noise.

2. Transportation

Large number of vehicles on roads, aeroplanes flying over houses, underground trains
produce heavy noise and people get it difficult to get accustomed to that. The high noise
leads to a situation where a normal person lose the ability to hear properly.

3. Construction activities

Under construction activities like construction of bridges, dams, buildings, roads and
flyovers take place in almost every part of the world. These construction activities take
place everyday as we need more buildings, bridges to accommodate more people and to
reduce traffic congestion. The main point is that the construction equipment are too
noisy.

Effects of noise pollution.

1. Hearing problems.
Our ears can take in a certain range of sounds without getting damage so any unwanted
sound that our ears have not been built to filter can cause problem within the body.
Constant exposure to loud levels of noise can easily result in the damage of our ear drums
and loss of hearing. It also reduces our sensitivity to sounds that our ears pick up
unconsciously to regulate our body’s rhythm.

2. Health issues.
 Studies show that the occurrence of aggressive behavior, disturbance of sleep, constant
stress and hypertension can be linked to excessive noise levels. These in turn can cause
more severe and chronic health issues later in life.

3. Sleeping disorders.
Loud noise can certainly hamper your sleeping pattern and may lead to irritation and
uncomfortable situations. Without a good night sleep, it may lead to problems related to
fatigue and performance.

2.2 EMPOWER (Planning and Doing Experiment)

To detect the noise pollution in some area, we are doing an experiment of traffic noise
measurement by using the sound level meter as figure 6.0. Sound level meters have come a long
way since Cirrus by Thomas Shelton as a Marketing Manager, starting manufacturing with their
own models in the 1970s. The advances in computing technology has made it far easier for
sound level meters to measure, process and calculate noise data. This technology also enables
sound level meters to record all parameters simultaneously, rather than over repeated
measurements.
Procedure

1) The sound level meter was set up at height 1.2 m above the ground which is the height
ear level of an average human height.
2) 7.5 m was the distance from sound level meter to reference line on test track. (Figure 6.1)

Figure : Measurement set-up

3) The sound level was being set up to Fast (F) so that it can measure not too rapidly
fluctuating noise levels.
4) Set up function to A weighting where very low frequencies was filters severely compared
to B and C weighting.
5) The sound level meter was select high range where this range covers sound levels
between 60 and 120 dBA.
6) The reading was recorded for every 5 minutes.
7) The vehicles that pass the road were recorded such as motorcycle, cars, bus and lorry.
Result

Types of vehicles

Time The reading of

(min) sound level meter Car Motorcycle
Bus/Lorry

0.0 0 0 0 0
5.0 60.0 3 13 23
10.0 70.3 1 8 8
15.0 56.3 0 7 4
20.0 65.7 0 9 7
25.0 55.6 3 4 7
30.0 60.3 0 8 2
35.0 64.1 3 8 4
40.0 56.7 1 8 7
Traffic composition 11 65 62
 Graph above had shown the result for traffic noise measurement

There are some of the factors that can lead to noise pollution. For our experiment, transportation
as the factors that lead to noise pollution that we have been detected by sound level meter. This
is because of large number of vehicles on roads produce heavy noise and people get it difficult to
get accustomed to that. From the sound level data logging, results and graphs can be interpreted
and analyzed. It is more easier to conduct experiment using the data logging equipment.

Questions

1. What can you heard while doing the experiment?

2. Look at your results, when is the peak hour where many vehicles passed by the
experiment site ?
3. What happened to the sound level meter when there are too many vehicles?
4. Is the traffic noise measured faces a serious condition?
5. What are two ways you can do to reduce to noise exposure?

2.3 ENHANCE

Application of Sound Level Meter

Every application can benefit from a data logging sound level meter. Whether it is a noise at
work assessment or it is from environmental noise monitoring. The ability to measure and store
your parameter data will save time as you’re not manually recording readings and producing
reports. For example, according to the 2005 Control of Noise at Work Regulations, a sound level
meter that will be used to make a measurement should be capable of measuring:

 Equivalent Continuous Sound Pressure Level (LAeq)

 C-Weighted Peak Sound Pressure (LCPeak)

NoiseTools Software displaying on a PC

Once you’ve completed your noise assessment, you can then download the measurements
from your data logging sound level meter to your PC and store the readings. With their large
OLED display, the Optimus Data Logging Sound Level Meters will show you key parameters
during the measurement. This can quickly indicate if there is a problem you need to investigate
further, but backs that up by storing the data to its internal memory.

The Optimus comes with 4 GB of internal memory as standard, which can be upgraded to
32 GB on request. The data you’ve collected can then be downloaded to your PC using the
NoiseTools software. This is included with the Optimus Sound Level Meter, so it can easily
download and analyze your data, as well as generate custom reports. Once you have the readings,
it is easy to view them then analyze them and share reports.

Lastly, without a data logging sound level meter, it would need to manually record the
sound levels and parameters as the measurement was taking place. With data logging, you can
take the measurement you need safe in the knowledge that everything has been stored on the
internal memory for later viewing.
3.0 CONCLUSION

In this experiment, we defined the noise pollution as the unwanted sound which is
released into the environment. It disturbs the human being and cause an adverse effect on the
mental and psychological well-being. It is measured in the units of decibels and is denoted by the
dB. Next, we also get to know the acceptable noise was set by World Health Organization that
suitable for human and environment. In order to reduce the causes of noise pollution such as
industrialization, transportation, construction activities, household chores, and poor urban
planning, the path of transmission of sound must be stopped and the receiver of noise must be
safe guarded. The amount of traffic must be reduced near the residential homes, educational
institutes and hospitals. Data logging process give us many benefits to carry out experiment
much more easier and faster.

Reference

1) What Is Noise? What Is Noise Pollution? (n.d.). Retrieved from Noise Help:
http://www.noisehelp.com/what-is-noise-pollution-html

2) Noise pollution – Causes, types, effects and control of noise pollution. (2013, November
Monday). Retrieved from Environmental Studies:
http://mjcetenvsci.blogspot.my/2013/11/noise-pollution-causes-types-effects.html

3) Rifai, B. (2014, April Wednesday). Noise Pollution Facts. Retrieved from Pollution Facts:
http://www.thepollutionfacts.com/2013/02/noise-pollution-facts.html