Advanced Physics Laboratory
Full course description
This skill is the culmination of the physics laboratory modules, and requires participants to use the skills that they have acquired in their previous lab experiences to good effect in order to design and conduct suitable experiments. The participants will have the opportunity to conduct experiments in material science, thermodynamics, optics, nuclear and particle physics and chaotic dynamics. During this skill, the participants will design experiments to test hypotheses in a variety of fields, ensuring that the data that they gather is sufficient to address pertinent questions in this field. Unlike the prerequisites, the participants will not be given step-by-step instructions for each experiment - a certain level of independence is both expected and required.
Course objectives
• To acquaint the participants with an overview of the main areas in experimental physics; • To illustrate the relationship between observation, experiment and hypothesis; • To give the participants a better understanding of the laws of physics; • To hone the skills required for planning and conducting experimental physics; • To develop the skills of experimental design and the impact this has on the outcome.Prerequisites
- PRA1003
- PRA2007
Co-requisites
- None
Recommended reading
- University Physics with Modern Physics, H.D. Young & R. A. Freedman, Pearson Education (US), 13th International edition, May 2011;
- Practical Physics, G.L. Squires, Cambridge University Press, 4th edition, September 2001;
- Measurements and their Uncertainties: A practical guide to modern error analysis,
- I. Hughes & T. Hase, Oxford University Press, August 2010.