Main Page/PHYS 3220/How to Choose Experiments

The table of contents indicates that the 3rd and 4th year laboratories have been combined to allow for some more flexibility. Experiments 3-1, -2, -5, -6 and -7 rely on pre-3rd year physics and are prime candidates to learn how to experiment independently, to carry out error analysis and to learn how to write reports. One should start with at least two from these classic experiments, and then do the Franck-Hertz experiment (3-7) as a motivation for modern physics (which by then is supported by material covered in PHYS 3040.06). Experiment 3-3 is an exercise in computer-assisted experimentation, particularly suited for future high-school physics teachers, but requires some background in classical mechanics. Experiments 3-8 and -9 get the student into modern optics, interference, and atomic spectroscopy (modern physics!). Experiment 3-10 does not require much background, but serves as a primer for vacuum technology - the most “sophisticated” of the 3rd year experiments in terms of equipment. Experiment 3-11 involves measuring weak radioactive sources (a must for future high-school teachers), and uses computer-assisted data collection. The (limited amount of) nuclear physics background has to be acquired by some reading, so that the experiment does not depend on other courses (except for basic concepts from 3040.06). The same applies to 3-12, which is the only “software-only” experiment in this course.</-p>

In the mid-range group that can be attempted by interested 3rd year students in the second half of the year we have an experiment on rigid-body motion (the gyroscope or spinning top 3/4-1, which should be feasible after PHYS 2010.03), one from modern optics (a qualitative background is required only for holography 3/4-2) and two from modern physics: electron spin resonance (3/4-4) is meant to provide proof to the modern physics student that the intrinsic electron property spin exists (and to make the student aware of spin resonance techniques used in chemistry and medicine), while the superconductivity experiment (3/4-5) is meant for students with previous interests in solid-state physics (at the level of a 3040.06 text). The latter two experiments are relatively easy to carry out. The classic optical Zeeman experiment (4-6) can be carried out by the motivated 3rd year student (easy technically). Experiment 3/4-3 on modern electronic instrumentation relies on a 2nd year background, and is easily mastered by 3rd year students with an interest in electronic circuits.

The 4th year experiments take the students all the way to the level of sophistication possible in an undergraduate lab. Applied physics labs are (4-1, -2, -3), an open-ended HeNe-laser lab (4-4) reinforces atomic physics concepts. Atomic spectroscopy is emphasized in 4-6, 7, while some nuclear and solid-state physics is introduced in 4-8 and 4-9 and -10 respectively.