Main Page/PHYS 3220
Contents
PHYS 3220 3.0 Experiments in Modern Physics
A selection of experiments in fluid mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, and atomic, nuclear, and particle physics. Analysis of the data and detailed write-ups are required. One lecture hour which is devoted to techniques of data analysis and three laboratory hours per week.
Course Director
Dr. Cody Storry
253 PSE
codys@yorku.ca
Teaching Assistants
| Monika Aggarwal | Adam Carew | Hermina Beica | Ivan Guevara |
| 206 PSE | 107 PSE | 309 PSE | 243/250 PSE |
| aggarwal@yorku.ca | acarew@yorku.ca | hermina@yorku.ca | ivan.guevara1988@gmail.com |
Laboratory Technologists
| Matthew George | Nick Balaskas |
| 122 PSE / 309 PSE | 122 PSE |
| mgeorge@yorku.ca | nickolaos@yorku.ca |
Text Books
All are available in the library.
Required Text
- An Introduction to Error Analysis, J.R. Taylor (1997), (also available in the library)
Additional useful text
- Data Reduction and Error Analysis, P. R. Bevington and D. K. Robinson, (2003)
References
- Experiments in Modern Physics, A. Melissinos.
- Experimental Physics, R.A. Dunlap.
- The Art of Experimental Physics, D.W. Preston and E.R. Dietz.
Prerequisite
- SC/PHYS 2020 3.0
- SC/PHYS 2060 3.0
- SC/PHYS 2213 3.0
Corequisite
- SC/PHYS 3040 6.0
Important Information
- Labs: Open Format - Monday through Friday, Rooms PS108, PS111, PS123, PS126 and PS209. (8:30am - 4:30pm) (special arrangements may be requested for other times)
- Classroom components: Thursdays 2:30pm-3:30pm.
- Lectures on error analysis: FRQ020
- Library Research Techniques Labs: 021 Steacie - Enter through library main entrance.
- Grading
Laboratory work and reports 4 x 20% 80% Written test on error analysis 8% Oral quiz on the laboratory work 7% Library Research 5% Bibliography compiled using library resources composes 5% of each of the final 3 labs.
- Schedule of Laboratory Reports
Hand in 1st report September 22 1st lab returned September 29 1st lab resubmitted October 3 1st lab returned October 6 2nd lab submitted October 20 2nd lab returned October 27 3rd lab submitted November 3 3rd lab returned November 10 4th lab submitted November 17 4th lab returned November 24 Oral Exam December 5, 6 Error analysis exam December 1 - Schedule of Lectures
September 8 intro to course and library September 15 Error analysis Lecture 1 September 22 Library lecture 1 September 29 Library lecture 2 October 6 Library lecture 3 October 20 Library lecture 4 October 27 Error analysis Lecture 2 November 3 Error analysis Lecture 3 November 10 Error analysis Lecture 4 November 17 Error analysis Lecture 5 November 24 Error analysis Lecture 6 Late policy: All labs are due on Thursdays before 4:00 PM. If a lab is submitted after 4:00 PM on the due date, and up to 7 days late there will be a 20% penalty. Labs submitted up to 14days late 40% …. And so on.
This penalty should provide incentive to keep from falling behind, a historic problem in upper year labs. We strongly suggest that you write the report immediately after you do the experiment while the topics and the hands on details are still fresh.
- Handing in Reports: Lab reports must be submitted to Matthew George (122PSE) or to Lauren Obrien in the physics office (128). If after hours, lab reports may be placed under the door of 122PSE, but please note that they will be time-stamped as 8:30am the following morning.
- How to Write Reports
- Lab Expectations
- Lab Book
- Student Procedures for Labs
- Lab Safety
On-line lab scheduling and mark distribution:
You will each been given a username and password by email (hopefully by the end of the week). You will use this web site for all organizational details in this open format lab course. This will be very important as scheduling times for experimenters, apparatus and TAs can be rather complicated. Please confirm with Cody that we have your correct email address so that you can be emailed your login information.
TAs are responsible for individual experiments and will be available only at certain times. It may also be necessary to arrange apparatus and Technical assistance so please provide a week notice to avoid complications.
When you have chosen an experiment and you have read and understand the description in the lab manual and read the supporting documentation available in the lab, you may request a demonstration using the online system and contact the appropriate TA by email.
Once you have received a demonstration you may arrange a time with the TA and reserve the equipment, also using the online system.
Having a demonstration does not commit you to doing that experiment, you may choose not to pursue that experiment and arrange for a demonstration of another experiment. Many students will choose to return on another date to perform the experiment having done further reading and background research.
During the experiment if you are stuck or if the equipment is not functioning as expected please contact the TA and/or the lab technician (a phone for local calls is located in each laboratory).
Laboratory Manual
To sign up for an experiment : Experiment Sign-up
- 3.01 Measurement of the Gravitation Constant G: The Cavendish Experiment
- 3.02 A Measurement of the Velocity of Light: The Foucault-Michelson Experiment
3.03 Coupled Oscillatory and Rotational Motion- 3.04 Viscosity
- 3.05 Determination of the Electric Charge Unit e : The Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
- 3.06 Thermionic Emission
- 3.07 The Excitation Potentials of Mercury: The Franck-Hertz Experiment
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3.08 The Michelson Interferometer -
3.09 The Visible Spectrum of Hydrogen - 3.11 Radioactive Decays
- 3.12 Particle Tracking Simulation
- 3.13 Rutherford Scattering I
- 3/4.03 Digital Storage Oscilloscope
- 3/4.05 High-TC Superconductivity
- 3/4.06 Semiconductors I
Library Research Session
Physicists observe and test occurrences in the natural world. They analyze the results, share their discoveries with colleagues and communicate their findings in scholarly publications. Writing is an important part of this process and can help to instruct and convince the reader while helping to facilitate the future development of science by building on the work of others.
A vast amount of information is available today in libraries and on the web and we need to develop the skills to use this information. The instruction sessions that your professor and I have organized will help you navigate the body of scientific literature that exists. You will become proficient in identifying reliable sources of information and critically evaluating these for the purposes of inclusion in your lab reports.
There will be in-class exercises and marked assignments based on the content covered. A total of 5% of your final mark for the course will be assigned for library research sessions, of which 1% will be allotted for participation.
Instructor: Dana Craig; e-mail: dcraig@yorku.ca, telephone 416-736-2100, ext 22835.
Sessions
All sessions are at 2:30pm in room 021 Steacie Library, and will last for 60 minutes. Enter through the main library doors.
- September 8, 2011 Introduction to RefWorks
- September 22, 2011 Scientific Publication Cycle
- September 29, 2011 Peer review and the scientific method
- October 6, 2011 Searching the physics literature
- October 20, 2011 Organizing your information using reference management software.
