Random and systematic uncertainties and their propagation. Mean and standard deviation. Gaussian distribution. Variance, covariance and correlation. The Chi2. Measurements of R, I, V. RC and RL circuits. Ac circuits. Impedance. The oscilloscope. Riflection and rifraction. Thin lenses. Light: rays and wave. Interference and diffraction.
Statistics:
- An introduction to error analysis, University Science Books
Electric circuits in CC and AC:
- G. Poggi Esperimenti di elettricità e magnetismo, Università di Firenze
- J. O'Malley, Basic circuit analysis, Schaum Outlines Series, Mc Graw-Hill Ed.
Optics:
- F. A. Jenkins and H.E. White, Fundamentals of Optics, Mcgraw-Hill
Learning Objectives
The course aims to provide the basics to properly, critically and consciously work in a scientific laboratory
Prerequisites
Matematica 1
Fisica sperimentale
Teaching Methods
Front lessons in classroom. Laboratory experiences. Exercises and discussions in classroom.
Colloquia with single students or groups.
Type of Assessment
Final oral and practical test. The test includes:
1- the submission of all the technical reports about the experiments performed during the year (this is the deadline; it is by far better that all the reports are submitted much in advance, during the year)
2- the discussion of a topic chosen by the students within the program of the course
3 - the detailed discussion of one of the laboratory experiences that the students have performed during the course
4 - the solution of an exercise of physics related to the program of the course
5 - performing a mechanical or electric measurement, chosen among one of those performed during the course.
There will be eight exam sessions per year.
Course program
Statistics.
Units of measurements of the SI, systematic and random uncertainties. Error propagation. Gauss distribution. Data fit and minimum of Chi2. Chi2 method application in the case of a linear fit.
Electrical measurements.
Voltage, current and resistance. DC and AC circuits. The oscilloscope.: the basics and principle of operation. Use of the oscilloscope for the measure of a time variable voltage signals.
Geometrical optics:
Rays and their propagation. Reflection and refraction. Snell law. Thin lenses: laws and geometrical constructions for converging and diverging lenses. The human eye: basic info. Light: from rays to waves. Diffraction and interferences.
Laboratory experiences:
1 – measurement of g by using a simple pendulum and related uncertainties.
2 – verification of the Gauss distribution by measuring the period of oscillation of a simple pendulum.
3 – Verifification of the linearity of an electronic scale by using the Chi2 method. Density measurement of some unknown samples. Related uncertainties.
4 – V, I, R measurements by using an electronic multimeter. Related uncertainties.
5 – Measurements of an unknown resistance by using two volt-amperometric methods. Related uncertainties.
6 – Measure of the amplitude, period and frequency of alternating and continuous signals by using an oscilloscope. Related uncertainties.