Unit name | Physics Laboratory |
---|---|
Unit code | PHYS10004 |
Credit points | 10 |
Level of study | C/4 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
Unit director | Dr. Springell |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Normally A-level Physics and A-level Mathematics |
Co-requisites |
Core Physics I: Mechanics and Matter Core Physics II: Oscillations, Waves and Fields |
School/department | School of Physics |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
The aim of the unit is to introduce students to basic laboratory skills and techniques used by physicists. These include:
Students should be able to: use basic laboratory equipment safely and with confidence, carry out a basic experiment investigating a new (to the student) physics principle, make an estimate of the random and systematic errors in an experimental measurement, combine the uncertainties in experimental measurements in order to obtain a quantitative evaluation of the uncertainty in the final result, carry out a basic literature review before commencing an experiment, plan and execute an experiment, noting and minimising the effects of possible sources of error in the measurements, understand the safety requirements of an experimental procedure, know how to record experimental setups and procedures in a laboratory notebook and how to accurately record measurements, use a computer for quantitative data analysis and for the formal presentation of graphical data, present a basic formal report of their results in the form expected for publication in a scientific journal and to understand the relevance of each section (abstract, references etc.) understand the need to correctly reference other people’s work (i.e. not to plagiarise material) and to understand the basic requirements of copyright.
6 lectures on error analysis and report writing 14 x 4 hour supervised experiment sessions 3 x 4 hours supervised electronics workshops
Students will carry out their experiments under the guidance of an experienced post-graduate demonstrator who will question and challenge a student’s understanding of the experiment and the apparatus. Formative assessment with verbal and written feedback from the demonstrator is given for the early experiments and the first formal report. Informative feedback is given on each summatively assessed component in notebooks and with formal reports. 60% of the summative assessment of the unit comprises the formal assessment of 6 two week experiments and includes assessment of pre-laboratory work, execution of the experiment and analysis of the data to produce final results. 40% of the assessment comprises the marks assigned to two formal experimental reports that are marked by graduate students and moderated by academic staff demonstrators.
Tipler and Mosca - Physics for scientists and Engineers - Freeman Worth 2008