Experimental Physics

Code:

F114

Acronym:

F114

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physics

Instance: 2015/2016 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Chemistry

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	0	Plano de estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	7,5	-
L:G	0	P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula anterior a 09/10	3	-	7,5	-
		P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula em 09/10	3	-	7,5	-
L:M	2	Plano de estudos a partir de 2009	3	-	7,5	-
L:Q	1	Plano de estudos Oficial	3	-	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

Program

Example of practical assignments:
First series

1. RLC circuit
2. Circuits with diodes. Clipping, LED and photodiode
3. Measurement of a material resistivity using the four contacts method
4. OPAMP, Inverting, non-inverting and diferential circuits
5- Determintion of the speed of sound.
6. Study of Heat propagation in cilinder bar


Second series

1. Study of the propagation of signals in a coaxial cable
2. Study of magnetic induction
3. Determination of the coefficient of viscosity using Poiseuille's law
4. Study of magnetic torque
5. Experimental study of thermal radiation
6. a) Measurement of the Young module using a vibrating rod. b) Adiabatic coefficient of air by Rüchardt method.




Third series

1a. Measurement of the focal length of a lens
1b. Study of polarized light. Malus law.
2a. Decay of the fluorescence on a Ruby. Observation of emission spectra.
2b. Study of the radioactivity
3a. Michelson interferometer
3b. Measurements using Fraunhofer difraction
4a. Franck-Hertz experiment
4b. Photoelectric effect

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
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Trabalho laboratorial	40,00
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=40%
Two written reports=50%

There is a minimum grade of 7.0 for each component

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

The experiemtnal 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.