Physics 4 - Laboratory work (2 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

At the beginning of the course, the theory related to the measurements as well as calculation of the final results and their error evaluation is discussed for the entire teaching group. After the theoretical part, measurements are taken, on the basis of which the measurement results are reported.

Objective

Purpose: The operation of many applications is based on experimental data. The utilization of the data requires an error estimation of the results derived from the data. During the course, experimental data is measured to evaluate the use of data-derived results in different applications.

EUR-ACE Competences:
Knowledge and understanding 
Engineering practice
Investigations and information retrieval 

Learning outcomes:
After completing the course, you will be able to perform measurements of the properties of various physical systems in a variety of ways and you will be able to analyze the measurement results mathematically. You master the basic principles of technical reporting and have observed the phenomena of physics in practice. You will be able to deepen your skills in analyzing and reporting measurements.

Content

After completing this course, you will be able to use physical experimental data in different applications and perform error estimation of results. You will learn to measure the properties of different physical systems and to analyse the results mathematically. The course will equip you with technical reporting skills and deepen your understanding of physics phenomena in practice. You will also gain valuable skills in analysing and reporting measurements, which you can apply in a wide range of engineering fields.

Contents:
- experimental data measurements,
- practices in the laboratory work,
- assessment of the errors of measurements,
- derivation of the error formula of the result,
- assessment of the error of the calculated resuls,
- presentation of the result with the total error by using formulas,
- the reporting of the measured data and calculated results.

Location and time

The course is implemented on 21st October 2024 - 18th December 2024.

Materials

The following book is used to estimate the errors calculated from the measurement results:
Taylor, J. R. An introduction to error analysis: The study of uncertainties in physical measurements (2nd ed.). ISBN: 978-0935702750.

The course provides more detailed work-specific instructions.

Teaching methods

The course covers measurements related to physical phenomena as well as analysis and reporting of the measurement data.

Employer connections

The content of the course aims to be working life connected.

Completion alternatives

The approval procedures are described in the degree regulations and the study guide. The teacher of the course provides additional information about possible alternative course completion procedures.

Student workload

One credit corresponds to a workload of 27 hours. In total, the course requires 54 hours of work.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Sufficient 1:
You have completed all measurements and completed all course assignments. There are shortcomings in the recording and reporting of measurement results. The conclusions of your report would be better if the measurements and their analysis were better performed.

Satisfactory 2:
You have completed all course assignments in terms of measurements and reporting. You have recorded the relevant data from the measurement results. Your reporting from the experimental work is limited, but it shows the right results. You have drawn some conclusions based on the data you have analyzed.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good 3:
In addition to the requirements for grade 2, you have recorded the measurement results correctly and have reported your work well. In reporting, you have presented the result in the correct format. You have made several different conclusions based on the measurements and data analysis.

Very good 4:
In addition to a grade of 3, you have made a comprehensive error estimate, in which the total error of the final result is calculated correctly using a statistical and a systematic error. In the conclusions, you have assessed the significance of the sources of error in the measurement method for the error of the final result.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5:
You have made an accurate measurement report showing the measuring devices used with their errors, the measurement data with systematic errors and a mention of possible faults. The level of the report you write is close to the level of the conference paper. In the conclusions, you have considered the error of the final result at least at the level of the grade 4. You have compared the result you have calculated with the benchmarks given in the literature.

Qualifications

Physical quantities and vectors, differential and integral calculus, SI system. The ability to use elementary functions and to solve groups of equations is needed in solving physical problems.

Further information

The assessment takes into account the course scores on the measurements of the experimental work (30% of the grade), the calculation exercises related to the measurements (50% of the grade) and the report written in the measurement group (20% of the grade). At least 50% of the maximum number of points in the course is required to pass the course and the experimental measurements must have been passed.

Completing the course requires attendance at two measurement sessions, which are determined in the first week of the course. If the student is prevented from participating in the measurements, the course teacher must be notified during the first week of the course.