Module Information
Module Identifier
PH15720
Module Title
Introduction to Computational and Experimental Physics
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Co-Requisite
None
Mutually Exclusive
Mutually Exclusive
Mutually Exclusive
Pre-Requisite
A Level Physics and Mathematics or equivalent
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Practical | 11 x 3 Hour Practicals |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Data analysis using computer package | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | 2 Lab reports - 20% each | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Lab Diary | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | As determined by the Departmental Examination Board | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate the ability to produce a laboratory diary.
2. Produce laboratory reports using a word processing package.
3. Determine the causes and minimize the effect of experimental uncertainty.
4. Demonstrate the ability to present a value of a physical measurement together with its associated error.
5. Employ and appreciate the limitations of simple laboratory instruments.
6. Employ a computer package to perform basic computational exercises 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. 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 2 of the experiments as formal reports, including background research into the topics.
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 2 of the experiments as formal reports, including background research into the topics.
Content
- Introduction to PC packages available in the teaching laboratories.
- Introduction to computational physics using a PC based package.
- 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.
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 | Modern data analysis is dependent on the use of computers. In the experimental physics, students use a computer package to analyse data and will be expected to word process their lab reports. |
| Problem solving | Students will apply problem solving techniques in the course of experimentation and in the handling of data arising from experiments. |
| 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 modelling problems. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4