Description

The practical laboratory work in this module provides a broad foundation in experimental physics, upon which experimental work for the Stage 2 year and project work in Stage 3 builds. Students will also learn to produce high-quality typeset reports using LaTeX and a stylesheet. The module also introduces the student to the GNU Octave numerical mathematics package. The Octave language is essentially the same as the MATLAB™ language which is widely used in commercial and research environments for numerical modelling. The final component of this module is the PHY0000 Communication and Key Skills course held in 'Opportunities Week', i.e. T1:06.

Module Aims

Experiment is one of the central activities of a scientist. Experimental observations form the basis for new hypotheses, and also test scientific theories. In this module, you will learn to understand and apply the experimental method, develop your ability to make reliable measurements and report them in an effective and ethical manner.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

A student who has passed this module should be able to:

• Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
  1. use a numerical language (e.g. Octave) to manipulate data and solve equations using matrix methods;
  2. plan and execute experimental investigations;
  3. apply and describe a variety of experimental techniques;
  4. identify, estimate, combine and quote experimental errors and uncertainties;
• Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
  5. use LaTeX and a stylesheet to produce high-quality typeset reports containing mathematical equations, tables, graphs and diagrams;
  6. keep accurate and thorough records;
  7. discuss and analyse critically results of investigations, including the use of computers for data analysis;
  8. minimize experimental errors and uncertainties;
  9. demonstrate awareness of the importance of safety within the laboratory context and of the relevant legislation and regulations;
  10. identify the hazards associated with specific experimental apparatus, and comply with the safety precautions required;
  11. deliver written and oral presentations (experiment write-ups, formal reports, group talk);
  12. work in a team (working in pairs on experiments and in larger groups for talks);
  13. manage time (meeting deadlines for assignments);
  14. use computers for data analysis and collection;
  15. collect, analyse and report data and conclusions in an ethical manner;
• Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
  16. use a computer to solve problems and produce documents;
  17. solve problems logically;
  18. interact with demonstrators in a laboratory environment;
  19. as specified in PHY0000 Communications and Key Skills component.

Syllabus Plan

Part A: Practical Laboratory

Students are provided with a Laboratory Manual in which the experiments for this module are summarised. There is some choice of which experiments are undertaken. Each experiment is described in detail in a 2-4 page laboratory script.

General supervision and assistance are available in the laboratory from the demonstrators. Each demonstrator monitors the progress of the assigned pairs, taking a pastoral role and reporting any problems to the Module Coordinator. Feedback is given on each experiment during a 15-minute marking session with a demonstrator. For the oral presentation in the Student Conference, the assessment is made by all demonstrators with partial input from the students.

Note: The Communication and Key Skills content and activities are described in the PHY0000 component description.

Part B: IT Skills

1. Introduction
   1. Use of the Exeter Learning Environment.
   2. The Apple Macintosh
      1. Graphical User Interface
      2. using the Mac OS X system
   3. Network home directories and the file-server
      1. understanding the local file-server.
2. LaTeX
   1. Using LaTeX to create a simple document
      1. Text
      2. Equations
      3. Tables
      4. Figures
   2. Using a stylesheet to produce high-quality experiment reports
   3. Use of Octave with a template for plotting, linear regression analysis, statistical analysis, error bars
3. Octave
   1. Introduction
      Range of applications, platform and implementation specific differences, relationship of Octave to MATLAB.
   2. Fundamentals
      User interface, definitions, data structure, commands and functions, matrix operations, 'help' system.
   3. Input/Output and analysis
      Creating files and loading data, working with data, basic plotting, saving workspace ('*.mat' files).
   4. Numerical integration
      Using numerical methods for calculation of integrals
   5. Fitting
      The least-squares criterion, fitting polynomial and exponential functions, 'polyfit' and 'polyval', fitting data with a linear function, extracting polynomial coefficients, plotting the fitting function, errors.
   6. Programming
      Scripts and functions, creating and executing '*.m' files, basic programming: using 'for' and 'while' loops, conditional statements 'if', 3-D graphics.

Learning and Teaching

Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Assessment

Notes: Refer to the Undergraduate Handbook for details and marking criteria. Briefly, laboratory notebooks and reports are marked in one-to-one discussion between the student and a demonstrator; oral presentations involve moderated peer assessment.

Resources

The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that students are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Instructor(s).

Core text:

• Not applicable

Supplementary texts:

• Not applicable

ELE:

• http://newton.ex.ac.uk/redirects/ELE/phy1030

Further Information

Prior Knowledge Requirements

Re-assessment

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

Notes: Re-assessment is not available for this module.

KIS Data Summary

Miscellaneous