Second
Year Laboratory Operation
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the laboratory manual for the Second Year Physics lab. The development of the physical sciences and mathematics probably ranks as the supreme intellectual achievement of our civilization. To perform experiments and compare the results with hypothesis lies at the very core of the scientific method. Using this lab manual you will investigate some of many ways in which Physics has extended our knowledge of the world far beyond that accessible to our natural senses. You will become familiar with some common experimental techniques, data gathering and analysis, experimental error calculations and comparison between experimental results and theoretical predictions.
PREPARATION
Make sure that you can access the Blackboard site for the PHYS 2110/2030. You will find your experimental schedule for each week and can prepare for each experiment. The laboratory manual will be available from the laboratory manager.
Laboratory classes commence in week 2 and run for 10 weeks. The practical exam will be in week 13 in your normal lab timeslot.
To get maximum benefit from each experiment, you need to prepare beforehand. Read the experiment notes in the manual and research any material that is unfamiliar. The preparation questions provide some of the background that will be necessary to the understanding and performance of each experiment. Your answers to the preparation questions must be completed and written in your laboratory book or folder and will be marked by your demonstrator at the start of the laboratory session.
If you are seen copying other people's preparation answers, you will loose marks (and you are cheating yourself).
RECORDING AND REPORTING
In the past we insisted that you have a bound notebook to record experimental data, calculations, results and discussion for the experiment. However, students are now using Excel for tabulation, calculations and graph plotting. You can either paste printed pages into your notebook or you can use a folder with plastic pockets for your printed and hand written pages. Number and date each page as you create them. It is important to remember that keeping results on loose sheets is a bad habit and will cost you marks.
The report should contain the title and aim of the experiment and any relevant data recorded during preparation. Your report should have a logical structure and sufficient explanation should be included to make the structure obvious to the reader.
All laboratory results must be written or pasted into the lab book or included in your folder to document your calculations and final discussion. Use tables whenever possible and remember to include units and measurement uncertainties. Graphs must have a title and axes must be labeled and relevant units included. Error bars for each variable should be shown.
A full description of the method or the apparatus is NOT required, as it is already contained in these experimental notes. However, at least one sentence of explanation is required for each table or set of results, that are recorded, graph plotted, final or intermediate result that is obtained, or formula that is used. You should briefly record any problems you experienced, and comment on any interesting anomalies. Errors calculations must be shown in full.
IN THE LABORATORY
You are required to do ten experiments. Each of these can be completed in a three-hour lab session.
Be on time, otherwise you will not finish your experiment. If you are delayed or miss an experiment, you can arrange an alternate time to finish it. However, our resources are limited, so save this just for exceptional circumstances. If you are ill, we need to see a medical certificate and then you will not lose marks.
To log into the Lab computers, no password is required. Just click on the word “student” on the “Welcome” screen. There is a printer (called Second Year Lab Printer) available to print out your graphs and tables. At the end of the laboratory exercise, erase all your work from the computer.
When you finish your experiment, turn off all the power supplies and dismantle your circuit. Leave your space clean and ready for the next group of students.
Assessment
Laboratory Safety
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Further Information |
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