Physics Laboratory

Week 1: Introduction

Safety rules. Basics of metrology; confidence interval; error propagation.

Week 2: Curve fitting

Fitting linear and non-linear functions in order to determine the values of one or more parameters. Getting acquainted with some easily available computer programs for fitting.

Week 3: Mechanics

Determining the spring constant based on elongation. Oscillations of the spring. Time period of the simple pendulum. Demo: the torsion pendulum.

Week 4: Optics 1: Geometrical optics

Determining the focal length of a convex lens. Magnification; determining the size of the object. Determining the refractive index of a prism. Polarization: determining the refractive index of an unknown material by measuring the Brewster’s angle. Demo: optical activity.

Week 5: DC circuits; semiconductors

Serial regulation. Potential divider. Measuring the current – voltage characteristics of a semiconductor diode. Demo: measuring voltage by a constant-current compensator; transistor.

Week 6: AC circuit

Measuring the current – frequency curve in a serial RLC circuit. Determining the resonant frequency. Constructing phasor diagrams for different frequencies. Demo: resultant of different oscillations, Lissajous curves; the sound as oscillation.

Week 7: Logical circuits

Logical algebra; gate arrays. Constructing a logical circuit with commercially available IC-s for a certain problem.

Week 8: Optics 2: Physical optics

Diffraction by an optical grating. Determining the wavelength of a laser using a reflective grating. Determining of the groove density of a transmission grating. Measuring the width of a hair fiber. Demo: Michelson interferometer.

Week 9: Dynamical systems

Setting up the differential equation systems for simple chemical kinetics or population dynamics problems. Finding stationary points of the ODE-s. Linear stability analysis. Studying the phase plane by a computer software.