University Physics Labs

Introduction

Basic Concepts of Error Analysis
- Significant Figures
  
  The laboratory usually involves measurements of several physical quantities such as length, mass, time, voltage and current...
- Types of Errors
  
  Every measurement has its error...
- Mean and Statistical Deviation
  
  Let's assume that both the systematic and personal errors can be eliminated by careful experimental procedures, then we can conclude that the experimental errors are governed by random statistical errors...
- Reporting of Results
  
  Let's assume that both the systematic and personal errors can be eliminated by careful experimental procedures, then we can conclude that the experimental errors are governed by random statistical errors...
- Propagation of Errors
  
  In carrying out an experiment, a specific physical quantity of interest is usually obtained by an indirect measurement and a simple manipulation of other physical quantities...

Laboratories

Measurements of a Table
- Objectives
  
  to practice the statistical concepts of significant figures, the mean value, the standard deviation of the mean and the normal distribution by making multiple measurements of length and width of a table..
- Equipment
  
  20-cm wooden rod, laboratory table, measuring tape...
- Introduction and Theory
  
  Physics is largely a science of measurements...
- Error Propagation
  
  The mean value of the physical quantity, as well as the standard deviation of the mean, can be evaluated after a relatively large number of independent similar measurements have been carried out...
- Procedure
  
  Open the Graphical Analysis (GA) program...
- Discussion
  
  Start you discussion with the statement of the purpose of the lab experiment, then provide a brief theoretical explanation of the concept being studied in this lab activity...
- Conclusion
  
  Have you met the objectives of this Lab?...
- Error Analysis
  
  The laboratory usually involves measurements of several physical quantities such as length, mass, time, voltage and current...
- Worksheet
  
  You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
Linear Motion
- Objectives
  
  to compare the relationship between position vs. time and velocity vs. time for different types of linear motion
- Equipment
  
  battery powered constant velocity buggy, masking tape,...
- Introduction and Theory
  
  Kinematics is the area of physics that studies types of motion without specifying what caused it...
- Procedure
  
  Place the constant speed buggy at the opposite end of the track from the motion detector...
- Worksheet
  
  You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
Projectile Motion
- Objectives
  
  to test the validity of the kinematics model for simple projectile motion
- Equipment
  
  inclined plane, guided track, Science Workshop interface,...
- Introduction and Theory
  
  Consider the projectile motion of a ball as shown in fig. 3...
- Procedure
  
  The experimental setup is depicted in fig. 1 and 2...
- Data Analysis
  
  NOTE: Use the equations provided in Appendix A and in the Introduction and Theory section to complete the Data Analysis. ..
- Discussion
  
  State the purpose of the lab. Based on your calculations for physics quantities - free fall acceleration, height, horizontal range, and launched velocity - do all of the experimental results fit within the error the results predicted by the theory?..
- Conclusion
  
  Have you met the objective of the Lab "Projectile Motion"?...
- Appendix A
  
  Δt_theor = (1/2)(t_theor × Δy)/(y_exp)...
- Worksheet
  
  You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
Newton's Laws of Motion
- Objectives
  
  to validate Newton's Laws of Motion
- Equipment
  
  horizontal dynamic track and safety stopper on one end,...
- Introduction and Theory
  
  Newton's Laws are the essential part of Dynamics — the area of physics that studies the cause of motion experienced by an object...
- Procedure
  
  Open the pre-set experiment file "Newton's First Law" located in the "pirt_inst_labs" - phy 113 folder — PreSetUp Labs...
- Discussion
  
  Start your discussion with the statement of the purpose of the lab experiment, then provide a brief theoretical explanation about your expected results...
- Conclusion
  
  Have you met the objective of the lab?...
- Worksheet
  
  You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
Conservation of Momentum and Energy
- Objectives
  
  to investigate simple elastic and inelastic collisions in one dimension to study the conservation of momentum and energy phenomena
- Equipment
  
  horizontal dynamics track, collision and dynamics carts with picket fences, photogates connected to the Science Workshop interface
- Introduction and Theory
  
  Collisions are an important way of studying how objects interact...
- Procedure
  
  The experimental setup is depicted in fig.1 and 2...
- Discussion
  
  Start your discussion with the statement of the purpose of the lab experiment, then provide a brief theoretical explanation about expected results...
- Conclusion
  
  Provide a clear statement if the objective of the Lab "Conservation of Momentum and Energy" is met...
- Worksheet
  
  You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
Rotational Motion
- Objectives
  
  to study the basic concepts of rotational motion such as torque and moment of inertia
- Equipment
  
  a large, 6 inches in radius, aluminum disk attached to the rotary motion sensor, meter stick, set of small masses from 20 g to 50 g,...
- Introduction and Theory
  
  In this experiment, we will study the effect of a constant torque on a symmetrical body...
- Procedure
  
  Calculate the theoretical value for the moment of inertia for the disk...
- Discussion
  
  Start your discussion with the statement of the purpose of the lab experiment, then provide a brief theoretical explanation about expected results...
- Conclusion
  
  Provide a clear statement as to whether or not the objective of the Lab "Rotational motion" is met....
- Worksheet
  
  You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
The Pendulum
- Objectives
  
  to verify Galileo's observations that the period of a pendulum is independent of the mass and angular amplitude (for small angles)...
- Equipment
  
  set of 6 identical washers that will act as the simple pendulum, support stand with a photogate connected to the Science Workshop interface,...
- Introduction and Theory
  
  A simple pendulum consists of a point mass and a string...
- Procedure
  
  Open the pre-set experiment file: pirt-PHY 113-PreSetUpLabs-Pendulum...
- Worksheet
  
  You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
Simple Harmonic Motion
- Objectives
  
  to measure the spring constant of the springs using Hooke's Law...
- Equipment
  
  two nearly identical springs, long rubber band, support stand with a meter stick,...
- Introduction and Theory
  
  Elastic force occurs in the spring when the spring is being stretched/compressed or deformed (Δx) by the external force...
- Procedure
  
  The purpose of this part of the laboratory activity is to find the spring constant of the spring...
- Discussion
  
  State the purpose of the lab...
- Conclusion
  
  Have you met the objective of the lab?...
- Worksheet
  
  You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
Waves on Strings
- Objectives
  
  to explore various properties of waves traveling along a Slinky...
- Equipment
  
  large Slinky, stopwatch, 30-m measuring tape, spring scale, PASCO vibrator powered by the variable frequency function generator,...
- Introduction and Theory
  
  Waves are one of the most important concepts in physics...
- Procedure
  
  Caution: Handle the Slinky very carefully to avoid any possible permanent damage or distortion to the Slinky...
- Worksheet
  
  You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
Speed of Sound - Resonance Tube
- Objectives
  
  to determine the speed of sound of waves in air...
- Equipment
  
  resonance tube, tuning forks, rubber mallet, measuring tape, thermometer
- Introduction and Theory
  
  A sound wave is a longitudinal wave in which the wave oscillates along the direction of propagation...
- Procedure
  
  You will be provided with two tuning forks of known frequencies f...
- Discussion
  
  What was the purpose of the experiment?..
- Worksheet
  
  You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
Archimedes' Principle
- Objectives
  
  to confirm Archimedes' Principle for objects of different densities (ρ_object > ρ_fluid) and (ρ_object < ρ_fluid)...
- Equipment
  
  force senser, a beaker, electronic balance, string, masking tape, overflow can,...
- Introduction and Theory
  
  When an object is immersed in a fluid, it feels lighter than when it is in the air...
- Procedure
  
  Place the force sensor on the horizontal rod...
- Discussion
  
  Start your discussion with the statement of the purpose of the lab experiment, and then provide a brief theoretical explanation about your expected results...
- Conclusion
  
  Provide a clear statement if the objective of the Lab "Archimedes' Principle" is met...
- Worksheet
  
  You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...