Prerequisites: Phys 2021 & 2022 (concurrent registration is allowed)

Core Course: BSEP and BS, Physics

Text: No required texts to buy. See course webpage for books on reserve in the library or physically in the lab some reading will be assigned from. These will include:

• The Art of Experimental Physics, Daryl W. Preston, Eric R. Dietz (QC33.P74 1991)

• Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the Physical Sciences, Philip R. Bevington, D. Keith Robinson (QA278 .B48 1992)

• Experimental Physics: Modern Methods, R. A. Dunlap (QC33.D86 1988)

• Experimental Nucleonics, Ernst Bleuler and George J. Goldsmith (QC784 .B5 1959X)

Learning Outcomes: Experience some fundamental quantum effects by measuring them yourself.

1. Students will practice physics measurement techniques, such as using laboratory apparatus; how to design experiments and improve measurements; and core data analysis methods including statistics and fitting.

2. Students will apply this knowledge by writing comprehensive lab reports in the style of actual publications.

3. ABET Criterion 3 outcomes assessed by this course:

   • (b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data

   • (g) an ability to communicate effectively

Topics Covered via Experiment include the following:

• Geiger-Muller detector and counting statistics

• Gamma-ray spectroscopy

• Electron's charge-to-mass ratio

• Planck's constant and the photo-electric effect

• High temperature superconductivity

• Interferometry

• Atomic Spectroscopy

Course Description: Experience some classic measurements in physics related to the material you are seeing in the classical and modern physics courses. Using techniques typical of modern physics experiments, learn a set of basic laboratory hands-on skills that you can later build upon. The analysis and interpretation of experimental data will yield an understanding of randomness, bias, statistical tools, and standard error propagation techniques. Some of this is fundamental to experimental technique, some of this is fundamental to physics itself. Experience how to improve and report measurements. Finally, there will be an emphasis on writing skills in the context of experimental report styles.

Grading: To pass the course, you need to do five labs. Do not start the next lab until you have turned in the write-up for the previous lab. This means a typical schedule will involve two or three weeks with the apparatus, then you will turn in the lab report on Friday, review the materials for the next lab over the weekend and on Monday, and plan to start the next lab on Tuesday. You will work with a lab partner to make the measurements and for discussions, but your lab report should be your own work.

Your grade for the course is determined as follows. Completing five labs with excellent write-ups that include answers and discussion of the questions explicitly requested by the lab hand out will be worth a “B” in the course. You will be allowed to resubmit an improved lab report to address comments from the professor. Completing five labs with good write-ups (e.g., not resubmitting improved reports) will be worth a “C”. Completing four labs with excellent write-ups will also be a “C”, though odds are those who aim for this lower bar will probably only be turning in good write-ups, and so get a “D”.

To earn an “A”, you need to go beyond the stated required tasks for each lab. Some ways to do this: additional measurements or a followup topic; enhanced discussion of the theory; more sophisticated fitting; and/or simulation of the effect under study. To earn an “A” you should incorporate something extra for at least three of the five labs. You can choose things that suit your taste or preference, or things that stretch your skills and knowledge, or develop some depth or followup measurement, dig into the theory one more level, or a mix. In fact, judging what interesting things go beyond the lab is a research skill in itself, and I'm happy to consult with you on some possibilities. Less preferred: an alternate path to an “A” is offered - have at least a good write-up of the basic tasks for a sixth lab.