INTRODUCTION TO EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS

Course Description

This is the first quarter of a year-long class designed to help you learn to do experimental physics research. In the first quarter, you will investigate three systems experimentally. It will be up to you to decide what to measure, how to measure it, and what the data mean. Each of you will work alone on your own experiments, and write a short paper about each one.

The subjects of the experiments will be: 1. Attenuation of a laser beam by copper sulfate solutions. 2. The period of a pendulum. 3. Flow through small diameter tubes. You will have access to the classroom for self-directed work on the experiments.

Each week you will meet with the instructor to go over your progress and get guidance. The second and third quarters will cover computer control of experimental apparatus and mechanical design and fabrication.

The preparation provided by this class has helped many students get summer positions in research labs on campus and elsewhere.

A lab fee will be assessed to your BARC account.

Required Text

Taylor, J., An Introduction to Error Analysis, 2nd Ed. University Science Books

Optional Text

Williams, J., Style: The Basics of Clarity and Grace Longman