Physics Laboratory A

Code:

F220

Acronym:

F220

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physics

Instance: 2013/2014 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	First Degree in Astronomy

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:AST	3	Plano de Estudos a partir de 2008	2	-	7,5	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The purpose of this course is to give the students a hands-on exposure to physical laws, so that the student will be able to perform experimental work in the fields of Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Thermodynamics, Optics and Modern Physics.
In this course the student will be expected to master a few basic ideas and tools which he will need for later labs, including understanding experimental errors, using computer spreadsheets for analyzing, plotting and fitting data, improve skills in the writing of scientific reports
and in the critical evaluation of experimental results.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning outcomes and competences

The results and competencies are:

1) Know how to plan an experimental activity

2) Prepare the experimental setup

3) Perform experiment using the protocol

4) Analyze and discuss results of the experiment

5) Interpret results

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

 

 

 

Program

Example of practical assignments:
First series
1. Circuits with diodes. Clipping, LED and photodiode

 

2. RLC circuit

 

3. Measurement of a material resistivity using the four contacts method4. OPAMP

 

4. OPAMP

 

Second serie

 

1. Study of the propagation of signals in a coaxial cable

 

2. Study of magnetic induction

 

3. a) Measurement of the Young module using a vibrating rod. b) Adiabatic coefficient of air by Rüchardt method.

 

4. Experimental study of thermal radiation

 

5. Determination of the coefficient of viscosity using Poiseuille's law

 

6. Study of magnetic torque

 

Third series

 

1. Sound speed on air

 

2. Franck-Hertz experiment

 

3. Study of the radioactivity

 

4. Study of polarized light. Malus law.

 

5. Measurement of the focal length of a lens

 

6. Michelson interferometer

 

7. Measurements using Fraunhofer difraction

 

8. Decay of the fluorescence on a Ruby. Observation of emission spectra.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mandatory literature

Tipler Paul A.; Modern physics. ISBN: 978-0-7167-4345-3
Tipler Paul A.; Physics for scientists and engineers. ISBN: 0-7167-4389-2
Alonso Marcelo; Fisica
Searle G. F. C.; Experimental physics
R.M. Eisberg / L.S. Lerner; Física-Fundamentos e Aplicações, McGraw Hill
Worsnop, Flint;; Advanced Pratical Physics for Students
Karman and Biot;; Mathematical Methods in Engineering,, McGraw-Hill

Teaching methods and learning activities

Monitoring the implementation of experimental work by students in the practice classes.
Classes with presentation and discussion on the calculation and presentation of experimental errors and on elaboration of reports.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	10,00
Teste	30,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Trabalho laboratorial	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	40,00
Estudo autónomo	106,50
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Total:	202,50

Eligibility for exams

To obtain access to the evaluation the student must fulfil the following requirements:
Participate in, at least, 3/4 of the classes.
Elaborate two written reports assigned by the teacher.
Present a logbook with, at least, 2/3 of the practical assignments for each series completed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculation formula of final grade

To the final grade there will be four elements with the following weights:
Continuous evaluation = 10%
Logbook=30%
Writen test=30%
Two written reports=30%

There is a minimum grade of 7.0 for each component

Examinations or Special Assignments

 

 

 

Internship work/project

 

 

 

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

As all assessment components require the completion of laboratory work is recommended to all students in this situation they contact with the teacher to enable the realization of the practical component in a flexible schedule using the time of attendance by teachers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Classification improvement

In the same academic year, in the remaining examination periods, only the component corresponding to the written test can be improved.
The other assessment components can only be improved in the next year, under subparagraph b of paragraph 2 of Article 12 of the FCUP’s "Regulamento de avaliação do aproveitamento dos estudantes", through a new frequency to the Course Unit. This application is made at the beginning of the school year and accounted for the maximum of credits that the student can register.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Observations