MEMS and sensors

Why does a MEMS accelerometer detect about 1 G of acceleration even when stationary?

  1. ABecause it detects gravitational acceleration
  2. BBecause the sensor is broken
  3. CBecause temperature alone produces an output
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Answer: A. Because it detects gravitational acceleration

An accelerometer detects the displacement of a mass due to inertial forces, so even at rest it detects the force of gravity as acceleration. This property is used to determine a smartphone's tilt and screen orientation. To find acceleration due to motion, the gravity component must be separated out.

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More MEMS and sensors questions

  1. What is the processing called that combines information from accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers and other sensors to determine orientation and motion more accurately?
  2. What is an advantage of MEMS oscillators, sometimes used instead of quartz crystals as clock sources?
  3. Which MEMS sensor measures flow rate using the fact that gas flow carries away heat from a heater?
  4. What is an advantage of RF MEMS switches, which switch RF signals by mechanically opening and closing contacts?
  5. Which temperature sensor uses the property that its electrical resistance changes greatly with temperature?