FRANCIS XAVIER ENGINEERING COLLEGE, TIRUNELVELI

(An Autonomous Institution)

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

ACADEMIC YEAR: 2024-2025/ODD BATCH: 2024-2025 SEM: 01

Course Code | Name: 24PH1301 – APPLIED PHYSICS

Unit V - Sensors

Introduction to sensor- Hall effect sensor– SQUID sensor - Gas sensor - Medical sensor -
Ultrasonic sensor - Fiber Optic sensor- Temperature and displacement sensors - liquid
level sensing - Fluid flow sensing - Micro bend Sensors.

Course Outcome – CO5: Apply the knowledge of sensor systems for real-world
applications. Apply

Important topics *

● Topic 1 – T1- Introduction to sensor- Hall effect sensor– SQUID sensor

● Topic 2 – T2- Gas sensor - Medical sensor
● Topic 3 – T3 – Ultrasonic sensor - Fiber Optic sensors - Temperature and
displacement sensors
● Topic 4 – T4 - liquid level sensing - Fluid flow sensing - Micro bend Sensors

PART– A

Max.
Q.No Question Mark Topic CO BL KC PI
s
A Hall effect sensor is placed near a power line to
monitor current flow. If the current in the power line
1. suddenly increases, what change would you expect in 2 T1 5 K3 C 1.2.1
the Hall voltage, and why?

A SQUID sensor is used to detect very weak magnetic

fields in a medical imaging application. How would the
2. sensitivity of the SQUID sensor be affected if the 2 T1 5 K3 C 1.2.1
temperature of the sensor is increased above its
critical temperature?

You are asked to select a gas sensor for a portable

device that will be used to detect low concentrations of
3. carbon monoxide in residential homes. Would you 2 T2 5 K3 P 1.2.1
choose a Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) sensor or
an electrochemical sensor for this application?
 A patient is using a pulse oximeter, a device that
measures blood oxygen levels using a sensor clipped to
the finger. If the device suddenly shows a very low
oxygen level, but the patient feels fine, what could be
some reasons for this incorrect reading?

4. 2 T2 5 K3 C 1.3.1

A smart water level monitoring system is installed in a

tank to prevent overflow. How can an ultrasonic sensor
be used to monitor the water level in the tank?

5. 2 T3 5 K3 C 1.3.1

Why might fiber optic sensors be a good choice for

6. monitoring environmental conditions like temperature 2 T3 5 K3 C 1.3.1
or humidity in remote area?
An irrigation system uses a network of pipes to
distribute water to different fields. The farm owner
wants to monitor the flow of water through the pipes
7. to ensure even distribution and detect any blockages. 2 T4 5 K3 P 1.2.1
They decide to use a fiber optic fluid flow sensor. How
does a fiber optic fluid flow sensor work in this
scenario and why is it a good choice?
A security system uses fiber optic cables embedded in
the flooring of a restricted area to detect unauthorized
entry. The system relies on micro bend sensors to
8. 2 T4 5 K3 P 1.2.1
detect any disturbance in the area. How do micro bend
sensors work in this security system to detect
unauthorized entry?
 PART – B
Max.
Topic CO BL KC PI
Q.No Question Mark
s
In the context of this robotics project, how does the
Hall Effect sensor use the Hall Effect to measure the
rotational speed of the motor? Describe the working
principle of the Hall Effect and explain how the sensor 1.2.1
1 13 T1 5 K3 C
converts the magnetic field generated by the rotating
motor into an electrical signal that reflects the motor’s
speed.
Describe the working principle of the SQUID sensor.
How does it achieve such high sensitivity to magnetic 1.2.1
2 13 T1 5 K2 C
fields?

You are an environmental engineer tasked with

designing a gas detection system for a large urban
subway system. The subway system needs to monitor
air quality to ensure safety and compliance with 1.2.1
3. 13 T2 5 K3 P
environmental regulations. Explain why
electrochemical gas sensors are a suitable choice for
detecting carbon monoxide (CO) in the subway system.

A chemical plant is upgrading its safety system to

detect hazardous gases more effectively. The
engineering team is evaluating metal oxide gas sensor
4. 13 T2 5 K2 P 1.2.1
for this purpose. Explain the principle, working
mechanisms, and applications of metal oxide gas
sensor.
You are an engineer tasked with developing a smart
parking assistance system for a new multi-story
parking garage. The goal is to create a system that
helps drivers locate available parking spaces more
efficiently. Ultrasonic sensors are being considered for
1.2.1
5. this application due to their ability to accurately 13 T3 5 K3 C
measure distances and detect obstacles. Describe the
working principle of an ultrasonic sensor. How does it
measure distance, and what are the key components
involved in its operation?

Explain the principle, construction and working of 1.2.1

6. 13 T3 5 K2 C
optical fiber temperature sensor.
 A municipal water treatment facility is implementing a
new system to monitor and manage water flow
through various stages of treatment. The facility plans
to use liquid flow sensors for measuring the flow of
1.2.1
7. clean water and fluid flow sensors for monitoring 13 T4 5 K3 C
sludge and chemical additives. Describe the working
principles of liquid level sensors and fluid flow sensors
used in the water treatment process. How do they
operate and what technologies are involved?
An oil extraction facility is using microbend sensors to
monitor the strain and pressure on pipelines and
storage tanks. The sensors are crucial for detecting
1.2.1
8. early signs of stress and preventing potential failures. 13 T4 5 K3 C
Outline the working principle of microbend sensors.
How do they detect pressure changes, and what are the
key components?

PART – C

Ma
x.
Q.No Question Topic CO BL KC PI
Ma
rks
Imagine you are a healthcare technician in a busy
hospital emergency room. A patient is brought in with
severe shortness of breath and a history of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The attending
1. 1.2.1
physician asks you to quickly assess the patient’s oxygen 15 T2 5 K3 C
saturation levels using a pulse oximeter. Explain the
principle and working of a pulse oximeter. How does the
device measure oxygen saturation and pulse rate?

A company is developing an advanced monitoring system

for an industrial plant that requires precise
measurements of equipment displacement, temperature
changes. They are considering using fiber optic sensors
for these tasks:
2. 15 T3 5 K3 P 1.2.1
Explain how fiber optic technology can be applied in this
monitoring system. Specifically. Describe the
construction and working principles of fiber optic
displacement sensors and temperature sensors.
 Part A Part B Part C
No. of No. of No. of
Topic Total Total Total
Question Question Question
Marks Marks Marks
s s s
Topic 1 – T1 2 4 2 26

Topic 2 – T2 2 4 2 26 1 15

Topic 3 – T3 2 4 2 26 1 15

Topic 4 – T4 2 4 2 26

TOTAL 8 16 8 104 2 30