Code / : / PHY442
Course / : / Introductory Physics Lab

STUDENT LAB GUIDES

WEEK / HOURS / CONTENTS
1 / 3
3 / Explaining the relevance and execution of past observational, testing, and application experiments in the development of physics knowledge in areas of mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism and optics
Group activities and presentations:
a)[Group 1]
How do we know the speed of light is finite and its value in vacuum is 2.99792458  108 m/s?
  • Describe and explain the development of experiments that led to this important knowledge in physics.
b)[Group 2]
How do we know that the “average” acceleration due to the gravity of the earth is 9.80665 m/s2?
  • Describe and explain the development of experiments that led to the above value of g.
  • Explain the variation of g with respect of the latitude and altitude of the location as well as the meaning of the word “average” to the value of g.
c)[Group 3]
How do we know the following thermal properties of water?
Specific heat of water at 15C = 4186 J/kg-C
Latent heat of fusion = 3.33  105 J/kg
Latent heat of vaporization = 2.26  106 J/kg
  • Describe and explain the experiments that led to the above accepted values for water.
d)[Group 4]
How do we know that the charge of an electron is 1.602176487  10-19 C and its mass is 9.10938291 1031 kg?
  • Explain the origin of the two types of electrical charges & their basic interaction.
  • Describe and explain the development of experiments that led to the latest values of significant figures for the charge and mass of an electron.
e)[Group 5]
How do we know that the intensity of the earth magnetic field is between 25,000 and 65,000nT(0.25 – 0.65 G)?
  • Describe and explain the variation of the earth magnetic field.
  • Describe and explain the experiments that led to the current accepted values of the earth magnetic field.
f)[Group 6]
How do we know that light is a form of electromagnetic radiation?
  • Describe and explain Hertz experiments that verified the prediction of Maxwell that light waves are a form of electromagnetic radiation.
  • Explain Hertz’s experiment for generating and detecting electromagnetic waves.
  • Explain Hertz’s discovery that the wave is travelling close to 3  108 m/s.

2 / 3
3 / 1.0Introduction toPhysical Measurement and Data Analysis
Discussion and exercises:
  • Uncertainty, precision, accuracy and significant figures.
  • Graphs - data representation, linearization, and information extraction.
Phet Simulations: Equation Grapher, Curve Fitting, Calculus Grapher.
Test: Test of Understanding Graphs – Kinematics [TUG-K]
  • Principles, handling, and data of measuring instruments.
Length – metre rule, vernier caliper, micrometer
Mass – triple beam balance, electronic balance
Time – stop watch
Electric current – ammeter, multimeter (digital and analog)
Voltage – voltmeter, multimeter, (digital and analog), Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO)
3 / 3
3 / Group Presentations of Assignments in week 1
(a), (b), (c)
(d), (e), (f)
4 / 3
3 / Expt 1: Density of substances
Determine the density of a given solid and liquid.
  • Carry out the experiment by using the measuring instruments available in the lab.
  • Perform the experiment, tabulate and analyse the data with the uncertainty analysis, and write the conclusion.
  • Hand in the written report at the end of the lab period.
The solid could be a glass block, a metal block, a piece of wire, or any solids available in the lab. The liquid could be water, glycerine, or other reasonable liquids in the lab.
Note: The schematic diagram of the experiment, apparatus, procedures, data tabulation and analysis should be recorded in the Lab Notebook/Logbook/Journal.
[Refer to PHY430 - Lab 1 available on the web or other resources]
Expt 2:(a) Uniformly accelerated motion
Perform an experiment to determine the acceleration due to gravity by using linear air tract apparatus in the lab.
[Refer to PHY430 - Lab 2 available on the web or other resources]
5 / 3
3 / Expt 2 (b) Simple pendulum
Determine the relationship between the period (T) of a simple pendulum to
(i)the mass of the pendulum bob (m).
(ii)the angle of the oscillation of the pendulum ().
(iii)the length of the pendulum (L).
Determine the acceleration due to gravity (g) from the equation that relates T and L.
[Refer to PHY430 - Lab 4 available on the web or other resources]
The above experiment can be done by using the physical apparatus available in the lab or the PhET simulations on Pendulum available in the web.
By taking data from PhET simulations on Pendulum, show that the acceleration due to the gravity of the moon is one-sixth of the value of the earth, .
Expt 3: (a) The Force Table
(b) The Atwood Machine
PhET Simulations: Forces in 1 Dimension; Forces and Motion; The Ramp; Ramp: Forces and Motion; Gravity Force Lab.
[Either experiment, part (a) or (b) can be done physically depending on the availability of apparatus and time constraints or perform simulation experiments]
Youtube resources are available for Force Table and The Atwood’s Machine experiments.
6 / 3
3 / Expt 4: Conservation of Linear Momentum
PhET Simulations: Collision Lab.
[This experiment could be done by using linear air tract or by simulations]
Expt 5: (a) Archimedes’ Principle
Carry out an experiment that provides a direct proof of Archimedes’ Principle.
(b) BernoulliEquation
Carry out an experiment that verify Bernoulli’s Equation.
PhET Simulations: Density; Under Pressure; Fluid
Pressure and Flow; Balloons and Buoyancy; Buoyancy
[Suggestion: some groups carryout Expt 5(a) while the rest perform 5(b) if there is a time constraint]
7 / 3
3 / Expt 6: (a) Mechanical equivalent of heat
(b) Specific Heat
(c) Latent Heat
Perform an experiment
(a)to show the mechanical equivalent of heat.
(b)to determine the specific heat of a given metal and liquid.
(c)to determine the latent heat of fusion of ice and latent heat of vaporization of water.
PhET Simulations: Gas Properties; States of Matter: Basics; States of Matter.
8 / 3
3 / Expt 7: (a) Batteries, Bulbs, and Wires
Light up a given bulb by using a battery and a piece of wire.
Explain
(i)the arrangement of the battery, wire, and bulb that light up the bulb.
(ii)the mechanisms that light up the bulb in terms of the energy, electric potential difference, electrons, electric current, and electric field.
(iii)the transformations of energy that take place when the bulb lights up.
(b) DC Series and Parallel Circuits
PhET Simulations: Circuit Construction Kit (AC & DC) Virtual Lab; Battery-Resistor Circuit; Battery Voltage; Conductivity; Capacitor Lab; Ohm’s Law.
9 / 3
3 / CRO – basic operating principle
-parts & functions
-basic experiments – charging & discharging of capacitor
Youtube resources.
10 / 3
3 / Expt 7: (c) Capacitors and RC Circuits
(d) AC Currents and Voltages
(e) LRC Circuits
Youtube resources.
Phet Simulations.
11 / 3
3 / Expt 8: (a) Force between Two Parallel Current-Carrying
Wires
(b) Earth Magnetic Field
PhET Simulations: Magnets and Compass; Magnets and Electromagnetism
Youtube resources.
12 / 3
3 / Expt 9: (a) Geometrical Optics – Lenses& Mirror
(b) Diffraction & Diffraction Grating
PhET Simulations: Bending Light; Geometrical Optics.
Youtube resources.
13 / 3
3 / Presentation of Expt 1, 2, 3,4,5
Presentation of Expt6, 7, 8, 9
14 / 3
3 / Interview / Test
Interview / Test

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