Physics Laboratory A 2
Course Syllabus
During the course the students learn basic techniques in experimental physics, including performance of measurements and data analysis, in various subjects.
List of experiments for the first semester:
1. Radioactive decay – Poisson distribution.
2. Cathode ray tube (CRT) – acceleration of particles in an electro-magnetic field.
3. Magnetism – Faraday's law.
4. Thermoelectric couple – calibration and temperature measurements applied to water and liquid nitrogen.
5. Decaying electrical signals – RCL circuit.
6. Coriolis effect – rotating pendulum in different frames of reference.
7. Resonance – RCL circuits.
The students will use a special built GUI in Matlab in order to perform the data analysis. The theoretical material is presented in the course website and the statistical booklet (also in the website).
Lecturer: Prof. Erez Etzion
Prerequisite: Physics Laboratory A 1.
Course Objective: Studying the principles of measurements and data analysis in the environment of simple physics experiments.
Syllabus:
1. Estimation of statistical and systematic uncertainties.
2. Propagation of uncertainties.
3. Linear and non-linear fitting of data.
4. Estimation of goodness of fit.
5. Quantification of agreement of expectations with data.
Course requirements:
Performing all 7 experiments and submitting all of the reports.
Grade composition:
70% Report
15% Quizzes
15% Instructor evaluation
Recommended books:
- Statistics booklet "Data Analysis in Lab A". http://physics.tau.ac.il/laba/files/DataAnalysisDraft2Oct2011.pdf
- Squires, G. L., Practical Physics, 3rd Ed.
- Wall, J. V. and Jenkins, C. R., Practical Statistics for Astronomers.
