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No Access Submitted: 22 August 2013 Accepted: 07 February 2014 Published Online: 22 April 2014

  • Bioelectrical impedance analysis as a laboratory activity: At the interface of physics and the body

American Journal of Physics 82, 521 (2014); https://doi.org/10.1119/1.4866276
Elliot Mylotta), Ellynne Kutschera, and Ralf Widenhorn
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  • Elliot Mylott
  • Ellynne Kutschera
  • Ralf Widenhorn
ABSTRACT
We present a novel laboratory activity on RC circuits aimed at introductory physics students in life-science majors. The activity teaches principles of RC circuits by connecting ac-circuit concepts to bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) using a custom-designed educational BIA device. The activity shows how a BIA device works and how current, voltage, and impedance measurements relate to bioelectrical characteristics of the human body. From this, useful observations can be made including body water, fat-free mass, and body fat percentage. The laboratory is engaging to pre-health and life-science students, as well as engineering students who are given the opportunity to observe electrical components and construction of a commonly used biomedical device. Electrical concepts investigated include alternating current, electrical potential, resistance, capacitance, impedance, frequency, phase shift, device design, and the use of such topics in biomedical analysis.

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  1. © 2014 American Association of Physics Teachers.

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