Module Information
Module Identifier
PH15720
Module Title
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTATIONAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS
Academic Year
2010/2011
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Co-Requisite
None
Mutually Exclusive
PH15510
Pre-Requisite
Normal entry requirements to Year 1 physics
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
---|---|
Practical | 48 Hours. |
Lecture | 12 Hours. |
Other | 36 Hours. Computational workshops |
Assessment
Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
---|---|---|
Semester Assessment | Semester assessment Scilab exercise | 20% |
Semester Assessment | Semester assessment 2 laboaratory reports | 60% |
Semester Assessment | Semester assessment Laboratory diary | 20% |
Supplementary Assessment | Supplementary assessment Resit failed component | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. keep a laboratory diary
2. write laboratory reports using a word processing package
3. determine the causes and minimize the effect of experimental uncertainty
4. present a value of a physical measurement together with its associated error
5. use and appreciate the limitations of simple laboratory instruments
6. use MathCad to perform basic computational exercises in physics
7. apply the above skills to the performance of basic experiments in physics
Brief description
Experimentation is a fundamental part of the physical sciences process. It allows us to understand the world around us, to develop theories and to test those theories. However, in recent years, computational physics has added a new dimension to this area because the power of modern computers and software has made realistic simulations of complex phenomena possible. This has widened the areas that are accessible to physicsits as well as introducing a new discipline, computational physics, into the curriculum. The widespread use of computer modelling in industrial, financial and managerial areas has meant that students with these skills are in very demand. This module will introduce physics undergraduates to the key areas of computational physics and experimentation which can be used to understand the world around us, and learn how to use the power of computational physics to enhance the design and interpretation of experimental results.
Content
Introduction to PC packages available in the teaching laboratories.
Introduction to computational physics using Sclab
Basic error analysis.
Keeping laboratory diaries and writing reports.
Students will be expected to perform over the course of two semesters experiments in the two areas shown below.
1. Digital Electronics with Graphical Programming.
2. Fundamental constants and radioactivity.
Introduction to computational physics using Sclab
Basic error analysis.
Keeping laboratory diaries and writing reports.
Students will be expected to perform over the course of two semesters experiments in the two areas shown below.
1. Digital Electronics with Graphical Programming.
2. Fundamental constants and radioactivity.
Module Skills
Skills Type | Skills details |
---|---|
Application of Number | In essence, physics is based on the use of mathematics and experimental physics on the manipulation of number. Application of number is a central part of this module |
Communication | Students will keep laboratory diaries and write reports on experiments |
Information Technology | Mathematical modeling is depent on the use of computers. In the experimental physics, students use Excel and Easyplot to analyse data and will be expected to word precess their lab reports |
Personal Development and Career planning | Not addressed |
Problem solving | This is developed in the computational physics side of the module. Students will attend weekly problem solving workshops. |
Research skills | Students will be expected to research the background to experiments. |
Subject Specific Skills | Design and performance of experiments. Analysis of experimental uncertainty. |
Team work | Students will generally do experiments in groups of two and we would encourage co-operation in the solution of modeling problems |
Reading List
General TextNelkon, Michael. (1987.) Advanced level physics /Michael Nelkon, Philip Parker. 6th ed. Heinemann Educational Primo search Should Be Purchased
Tipler, Paul Allen (2004.) Physics for scientists and engineers /[Paul A. Tipler, Gene Mosca] 5th edition. W.H. Freeman Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4