1
Lab A in Physics Syllabus
Course overview – short abstract
During the course the students learn basic techniques in
experimental physics, including performance of measurements and
data analysis, in various entry level subjects.
List of experiments for Lab A1 (semester A):
1. Free Fall - the first experiment in the laboratory.
2. Geometrical optics – focal length and magnification with convex
and concave thin lenses.
3. Latent heat – phase transition of liquid nitrogen.
4. Friction and energy – transformation of kinetic, potential and
elastic energy and energy loss to friction.
5. Viscosity – viscosity of glycerin through the motion of a falling
ball.
6. Harmonic motion – mathematical vs. physical pendulum.
7. Electric circuits & Wheatstone bridge.
List of experiments for Lab A2 (semester B) :
1. Radioactive decay – Poisson distribution.
2. Cathode ray tube (CRT) – acceleration of particles in an electromagnetic
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 use MATLAB with a dedicated GUI to perform the
data analysis.
Prof. Halina Abramowicz
Learning outcomes – short description (if you don’t have LOs, then
don’t write anything in this part)
1. Studying the principles of measurements and data analysis in
the environment of simple physics experiments.
2. Estimation of statistical and systematic uncertainties.
3. Propagation of uncertainties.
4. Linear and non-linear fitting of data.
5. Estimation of goodness of fit.
6. Quantification of agreement of expectations with data.
Assessment: coursework and grade structure
Lab reports – 70%
Entry tests – 15%
Instructor
Prof. Halina
Abramowicz
Email
halina@tauex.tau.ac.il
Academic Year,
Semesters
2017-2018
semester A&B
Number of Hours/
Credits
Each lab shift is
four weekly hour.
There are 6 lab
shifts per week.
Three credit
points for physics
and chemistry
students. Two
credit points for
engineering
students.
Mandatory/Elective
Mandatory
Prerequisites
None.
Year in program &
how often given, if
relevant
1st year for physics and chemistry students.
2nd year for engineering.
Instructor evaluation grade – 15%
Week-by-week content, assignments and reading
All students preform 7 experiments per semester. They are divided into small teaching groups – up to
12 students per group, and the lab is organized in a way that all students perform all of the
experiments but in a different order.
Required text – in language of origin (if Hebrew or Arabic, no need to translate it)
The theoretical material is presented in the course website and the statistical booklet (also in
the website).
The link is:
https://exact-sciences.tau.ac.il/laba
