PX1223: Experimental Physics 2
| School | Cardiff School of Physics & Astronomy |
| Department Code | PHYSX |
| Module Code | PX1223 |
| External Subject Code | 100425 |
| Number of Credits | 10 |
| Level | L4 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | PROFESSOR Carole Tucker |
| Semester | Spring Semester |
| Academic Year | 2015/6 |
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.
Use a computer program to determine best estimates for true values and random errors from data represented by a straight line graph.
Compare measurements from counting experiments with theoretical Poisson distributions 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
Year 1 laboratory session 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.
How the module will be assessed
Continuous assessment 100%.
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assessment | 100 | Experimental Physics Ii | N/A |
Syllabus content
Experiments (subject to change):
- Measurement of e/m
- Planck’s constant
- A-C Circuits
- Radioactive decay with Poisson Theory
- X-rays
- Lens systems and Telescopes
- Bragg X-ray Studies of Solids
- Vibrations and resonance (in electrical circuits)
- Hubble Constant
- Current Balance
Background Reading and Resource List
Practical Physics, G.L. Squires, 4th Edition (Cambridge)
Principles of Physics (Extended Version), Halliday, Resnick and Walker (Wiley)