COURSE GOALS:
By performing advanced lab tasks, students will learn about the more complex aspects of experimental work, which is an indispensable part of research in physics. The knowledge gained from lectures in general physics students will be deepened by experimental work on individual problems, contributing to a deeper understanding of specific topics and acquiring experimental experience. They will be introduced to advanced devices for measurement of physical quantities and the building of experimental research measurement setups. At the Advanced Physics Lab, students have great autonomy in solving tasks, and each task will be performed in two consecutive terms, allowing them to form a working hypothesis based on the first experimental results, which can be confirmed or refuted on the second term. In this way, students will develop a comprehensive ability to solve problems in future research.
LEARNING OUTCOMES AT THE LEVEL OF THE PROGRAMME:
1.3 demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the most important physics theories (logical and mathematical structure, experimental support, described physical phenomena)
2.2 evaluate clearly the orders of magnitude in situations which are physically different, but show analogies, thus allowing the use of known solutions in new problems;
2.4 adapt available models to new experimental data
2.6 perform experiments independently using standard techniques, as well as to describe, analyze and critically evaluate experimental data
3.1 work with a high degree of autonomy, even accepting responsibilities in project planning and in the managing of structures
4.2 present one's own research or literature search results to professional as well as to lay audiences
5.3 carry out research by undertaking a PhD
LEARNING OUTCOMES SPECIFIC FOR THE COURSE:
Upon passing this course, the student will be able to:
* independently use measuring devices and apparatus, to perform complex experiments in the field of mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, and quantum physics;
* analyze the measured data using statistical methods and present the results on graphs;
* present the results of their work in the form of a written report, which is structured as a scientific paper, as well as a short oral presentation, which is structured as a talk at a scientific conference;
* connect theoretical knowledge with experiment and functioning of the parts of the apparatus;
* generalize the results of measurements, evaluate them critically, and interpret them in the light of the well-known theory;
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Students independently perform five of the following 10 tasks:
Free and forced oscillations: Using torsional pendulum with damping and driving motor, students study the behavior of free oscillations, dumped oscillations and driven oscillations.
Coupled pendula: Students study the phenomena of coupled oscillations in coupled pendula: the in-phase oscillations, the opposite phase oscillations, and the beat regime.
Stefan-Boltzmann law: Students use Moll thermocouple and a lamp to verify the Stefan-Boltzmann law.
Franck-Hertz experiment: Students perform the Franck-Hertz experiment, using the apparatus with neon tube.
Magnetic susceptibility of liquids: Students measure the magnetic susceptibility of solutions with different concentrations of paramagnetic salts.
Photo-electric effect and Planck constant, polarization of light: Students use the photo-electric effect to determine the Planck constant. In the second part, student use linear polarizers and ?/4 plates for polarization of light.
Maxwell-Boltzmann velocity distribution: Students use the apparatus for the simulation of thermodynamic phenomena with glass balls to study the velocity distribution.
Chaotic oscillations in electric oscillating circuit: Students study the occurrence of chaotic oscillations in an electric oscillating circuit with a nonlinear element (diode).
Measurement of low resistances: Students learn how to measure electrical resistance method using four contacts method, and van der Pauw method.
Skin effect: Students measure depth of conducting layer (skin) in metal rods.
Every task is performed in two consecutive terms.
REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS:
Students must prepare themselves for each task. They assemble the apparatus independently and carry out measurements. During the second term, students repeat the measurements and / or carry out additional measurements and have short oral examination. They submit the written report the next time they come to the lab. At the end of the semester, students present the results of the last task orally before the instructor.
GRADING AND ASSESSING THE WORK OF STUDENTS:
During the semester, students have short oral examination during every task and submit a written report after each task that is also evaluated. At the end of the semester, students present the results of the last task orally before the instructor. Weight factors in the final grade are: oral examination 30%, written reports 40%, and the final presentation 30%.
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