Physics Laboratory I

Code:

FIS1015

Acronym:

FIS1015

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physics

Instance: 2023/2024 - 2S

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

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	0	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	44	162
L:CC	0	study plan from 2021/22	2	-	6	44	162
			3
L:F	57	Official Study Plan	1	-	6	44	162
L:G	0	study plan from 2017/18	2	-	6	44	162
			3
L:M	3	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	44	162
			3
L:Q	0	study plan from 2016/17	3	-	6	44	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Familiarize students with instrumentation, measurement techniques and data acquisition.
Carry out laboratory work in the area of Physics.

Learning outcomes and competences

Easily recognize laboratory equipment.

Realize the objectives of an experiment.

Do research for information relevant to the experimental work.

Carry out experimental activities competently, based on protocols.
Familiarization with basic and universal measuring instruments and operating them effectively.
Carry out measurements and the respective recording accurately (numerical value, respective uncertainty and units).
Record and analyze experimental data. Handle experimental data with knowledge. Use basic data analysis techniques. Distinguish the concept of precision from accuracy.
Develop cooperative work skills.
Report the information. Elaborate and write reports of experimental activities.

Promote understanding of physics concepts.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Introduction. Security rules. Laboratory records book (Log-Book) and its use. Structure of a report.


Data analysis. Notions of measures and measurements. Means and standard deviation. Statistical uncertainty. Simultaneous use of statistical and experimental uncertainties. Propagation of uncertainties of independent quantities.
Graphic representation. Linear and logarithmic scales. Linearization of graphics. Use of basic software for graphical representation and data adjustment (SciDAVis, Excel or others).


Measurement instruments and techniques. Universal instruments and their use (operation, sensitivity, precision and scales): Multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, simple interfaces and sensors. Use of measurement techniques, (Ex Zero Techniques, signal amplification, video analysis to study movements).


Carrying out a set of basic laboratory experiments.
Examples of possible laboratory work:
Voltmeter-ammeter method. Measurement of low value electrical resistances
Voltmeter-ammeter method. Tracing the characteristic curve of a diode
Wheatstone Bridge in equilibrium (determination of resistances) and out of equilibrium (temperature sensor conditioner).
Study of moments of inertia by oscillatory methods.
Projectile movement: determination of the maximum range angle.
Rolling a cylinder on a horizontal and inclined surface.
Using an oscilloscope to analyze the behavior of high-pass and low-pass filters: analysis of an RC circuit: amplitude and frequency response
Study of Hooke's law, using an optical lever.
Elastic hysteresis.
Experiments with a spiral spring. Experimental study of a simple harmonic vibratory motion.
Determining the focal length of a lens.

Mandatory literature

Docentes da UC; Notas da Unidade Curricular, 2023

Complementary Bibliography

M. C. Abreu, L. Matias, L. F. Peralta; Física Experimental, Uma Introdução, Editorial Presença, 1994
L. Kirkup; An introduction to uncertainty in measurement using the GUM (guide to the expresssion of uncertainty. ISBN: 0-521-60579-2
Les Kirkup; Data analysis with Excel. ISBN: 0-521-79737-3
Inmetro e Instituto Português da Qualidade; O Sistema Internacional de Unidades - Tradução autorizada pelo BIPM da 9a edição de 2019, 2021
Governo Português; Decreto-Lei n.º 76/2020, de 25 de setembro, “Adapta ao progresso técnico as novas definições das unidades de base do Sistema Internacional de Unidades, transpondo a Diretiva (UE) 2019/1258”, 2020
Inmetro e Instituto Português da Qualidade; Vocabulário Internacional de Metrologia - Conceitos fundamentais e gerais e termos associados, 2012
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures; GUM: Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement, 2020
Inmetro; Avaliação de dados de medição - Guia para a expressão de incerteza de medição – GUM 2008, 2012

Teaching methods and learning activities

The first two weeks of classes will be dedicated to making a homogenization of laboratory knowledge and introducing some new topics through a discussion of topics followed by carrying out simple work and respective analysis.

In the following weeks, several experimental works will be carried out, from which the students will prepare the respective group record. These records, and the assessment of the laboratory work by the teacher, will be the subject of a formative assessment, which will be discussed in class.

The last school weeks, with experimental work carried out, will be subject to summative evaluation.

Most papers have two types of observations and analysis. They have a quantitative data log that allows students to do graphical and statistical analysis. They also have very important qualitative and estimation observations, which allow students to see measurement and operating limits (Examples: contact resistances, image aberrations, …)

The teacher's support is manifested, class by class and group by group, through:
- discussion of the objectives of each work,
- observations and/or questions about the implementation of each experimental method,
- comments and/or suggestions on recording observations of the work carried out,
- discussions that enhance the understanding of the concepts of Physics inherent to each work.


It is assumed that students:
- continue to develop skills in order to adopt an appropriate attitude to experimental work;
- interpret and assemble electrical circuits with different components;
- conveniently use equipment of which the following stand out: multimeters of different brands and models; current sources and voltage sources; video camera as a numerical data collection process; function generators and oscilloscopes; automatic data collection software and specific analysis software.

The constant positive feedback between student and teacher ensures effective progress, verifiable through increasing ease in student performance throughout the semester.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	30,00
Teste	40,00
Trabalho laboratorial	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	64,00
Frequência das aulas	44,00
Trabalho escrito	54,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

To obtain "frequency", the student must:
- do not exceed 1/4 of the classes taught in person in absences;
- carry out in groups (practical performance, recording and analysis) three quarters of the planned laboratory activities,
- deliver two written reports on work indicated by the teachers;
- obtain a minimum score of 8.0 out of 20 in the Continuous Assessment and in the Reports score.

Calculation formula of final grade

The assessment of the course is made through the following elements:

1 – Individual laboratory test (40%) carried out in two sessions with equal weights. In one session, you will carry out an experimental activity, similar to those carried out during classes, and you will be assessed by handling the equipment, recording and briefly analyzing the results. In the other laboratory session you will have a set of experimental data to perform a graphical representation and statistical analysis of data and uncertainties.

2 – Individual report (30%). The student will prepare a report on one of the activities carried out in the last six academic weeks, chosen by the teachers. This report, in article form, should not exceed 5 A4 pages (size 10 or 11), with the exception of appendices. Teachers will be able to ask some questions about the report at the end of individual assessments.

3 – Continuous assessment (30%). This assessment includes two components: assessment of performance in the laboratory (10%) throughout the semester, with special focus on the last weeks, which includes prior preparation for work, interaction within the group and carrying out laboratory activities; and the evaluation of individual records made in recent weeks (20%). These must contain a minimum of technical considerations and address, above all, practical aspects of classes and data acquisition, data collection in tables, graphic construction and its interpretation, as well as value judgments.


A minimum classification of 8.0 is required in the three evaluation components (Laboratory Test, Reports and Continuous Evaluation).

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

As most of the assessment components require carrying out laboratory work throughout the semester, it is recommended that all students in this situation contact the teacher at the beginning of classes in order to enable the practical component to be carried out in a flexible schedule.

Classification improvement

As most evaluation components require continuous work in the laboratory, grade improvement can only be done on the first item (Individual laboratory test).

The student will be able to improve all components in the next academic year, under the terms of the FCUP “Regulation for the evaluation of student achievement”, through a new attendance at the Curricular Unit. This enrollment is made at the beginning of the academic year and counts towards the maximum number of credits the student can enroll in.