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