PX1123: Experimental Physics 1
| School | Cardiff School of Physics & Astronomy |
| Department Code | PHYSX |
| Module Code | PX1123 |
| External Subject Code | 100425 |
| Number of Credits | 10 |
| Level | L4 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | PROFESSOR Carole Tucker |
| Semester | Autumn Semester |
| Academic Year | 2014/5 |
Outline Description of Module
- To develop practical experimental and analytical skills through weekly structured laboratory sessions.
- To introduce select concepts of optics, scientific instrumentation and electronics.
- To introduce skills relating to the written communication of scientific information.
- Through select experiments to reinforce important physics concepts.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
- Demonstrate their practical ability by individually managing and conducting a range of experimental tasks in four-hour weekly laboratory sessions.
- Demonstrate awareness of safety issues for example through writing risk assessments.
- Produce a laboratory diary (assessed weekly) in which he/she records their measurements and observations, analyses data and draws conclusions.
- Determine best estimates for true values and random errors from multiple measurements of the same point or data represented by a hand-drawn straight line graph.
- Compare measured and theoretical Gaussian data distributions and extract statistical parameters.
- Determine whether a significant systematic error is present by comparison with known values.
- Write an assessed formal report, in a scientific style, based on one of the experiments conducted during the semester.
How the module will be delivered
Teaching and feedback methods: Year 1 laboratory 11 x 4 hr, marked weekly work and report.
Skills that will be practised and developed
Practical physics. Verbal and written skills. Investigative skills. Computing skills. Analytical skills. Ethical behaviour.
How the module will be assessed
Assessment: Continuous assessment 100%.
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assessment | 100 | Coursework | N/A |
Syllabus content
Induction and an introduction to interpreting data.
Experiments (subject to change):
Young’s modulus
Coefficients of friction
Variations of resistance with temperature
The cathode ray oscilloscope and circuit construction
Optical diffraction
Computer data logging and RC circuits
Statistics of experimental data (Gaussian distribution)
Propagation of sound in gases
AC to DC conversion using diode circuits
Microwaves
Essential Reading and Resource List
Practical Physics, G.L. Squires, 4th Edition (Cambridge) ISBN 0-521-77940-5
Principles of Physics (Extended Version), Halliday, Resnick and Walker (Wiley)
Laboratory manual.
Background Reading and Resource List
Not applicable.