Module Information

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. In this module you will learn the basic techniques of performing experiments, taking measurements, accounting for uncertainty in your measurements, analysing results and comparing them with theory.
In recent years, computational physics has added a new dimension to experimentation because the power of modern computers and software has made the collection of vast amounts of data and realistic simulations of complex phenomena possible. This has widened the areas that are accessible to physicists 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 high demand.
Experimentation forms a fundamental part of a Physics degree in Aberystwyth and the experimental physics modules are arranged so that students progress over the three or four years from following a set of detailed instructions performing simple experiments in the first year, to researching a topic and devising their own experiments and investigations in their final year projects.
This module will introduce physics undergraduates to the key areas of experimental physics which can be used to understand the world around us, and they will learn how to use the power of computational physics to enhance the design and interpretation of experimental results.
Undergraduates will be expected to keep a laboratory diary as they are conducting the experiments. In addition to the notes kept in the diary, students will be expected to write up 4 of the experiments as formal reports, including background research into the topics.

• Introduction to PC packages available in the teaching laboratories.
• Introduction to computational physics using a spreadsheet.
• Basic error analysis.
• Keeping laboratory diaries and writing reports.
• Simple electrical experiments; use of multi-meter and oscilloscope.
• Mechanics Experiments; balancing forces in a static system.
• In addition to the basic experiments detailed above, students will be expected to perform a selection of experiments allocated on a "round-robin" basis. These experiments cover key areas of physics: thermal expansion, conductivity and radiation; gas laws; conservation of momentum; optics, diffraction, lenses and rays.