EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS - MOD. THEORY

The course is one of the basic educational activities of the degree course in Engineering Physics, and allows students to acquire the knowledge and understanding of the main concepts of physical experimentation.
The educational objectives of the course are: 1) to encourage an experimental approach suitable for scientific investigation and the use of measuring instruments; 2) to know how to process and interpret the experimental data collected, as well as propose them through a written report in a contextual scientific language; 3) to know how to evaluate in the context of physical experimentation the logical consistency of the results to which the application of the knowledge learned leads; 4) to know how to recognize errors through a critical analysis of the applied method; 5) to develop the ability to present scientific concepts and reasoning in a formal way, both orally and by writing; 6) to develop dexterity, familiarity and autonomy in dealing with simple experimental problems, both alone and in small work groups.

1. Knowledge and understanding
i) Knowing the main laws of error theory and the main concepts related to measuring instruments.
ii) Knowing the main characteristics of the process of acquisition and processing of experimental data.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding
i) Knowing how to use the laws and physical concepts learned to solve theoretical and practical problems in a logical and deductive way.
ii) Knowing how to create a collection of experimental data (alone and in group) and a consequent elaboration that is consistent in the final results, to be prepared by writing a scientific report.

3. Making judgments
i) Knowing how to evaluate the logical consistency of the results to which the application of the learned mathematical and physical laws are applied, in particular in the case of experimental data.
ii) Knowing how to recognize errors through a critical analysis of the applied method.

4. Communication
i) Knowing how to communicate the knowledge learned and the result of its application using appropriate terminology, both in oral and written form.
ii) Knowing how to interact with the teacher and with the classmates in a respectful and constructive way, especially during the experimental work carried out in a group.

5. Lifelong learning skills
i) Knowing how to take notes, selecting and collecting information according to their importance and priority.
ii) Being able to be sufficiently autonomous in the collection of experimental data.

To have reached the educational objectives of ANALISI MATEMATICA I and of FISICA I, possibly (but not necessarily) having passed the examination of these courses.

Inevitability of errors. Importance of their evaluation. Systematic and random errors. Estimate of random errors and their representation. Significant figures. Discrepancy. The relative error. Independent measures. Error in arbitrary functions of a variable. Functions of several variables: general formula for the propagation of error. Mean value, standard deviation, standard deviation of the mean. Histograms. Asymptotic distribution. The normal (or Gaussian) distribution. Confidence limits. Data rejection. Significant discrepancy. Weighted average. Graphical representation of experimental data. Least squares method. Linear regression. Covariance and correlation. Linear correlation coefficient. Binomial distribution. Poisson distribution. Chi-square test.
General information on measuring instruments. Example of measuring instrument: galvanometer and the analog multimeter. Influence of (non-ideal) measuring instruments: example in the voltamperometric method.
Study of RC and RLC circuits: time constant; damped oscillations; forced oscillations; high-pass, low-pass, band-pass circuits; resonance. Frequency response.

Experiences that can be carried out in the laboratory:
a) measurements of the sum of the internal angles of a triangle: random and systematic errors
b) experimental estimation of an integral (area under a curve)
c) repeated measurements of the period of a pendulum: Gaussian distribution of random errors;
d) measurements of the rotation dynamics of a flywheel: indirect determination of a physical quantity (moment of inertia of the flywheel);
e) measures of the period of a Kater's (reversible) pendulum: indirect determination of a physical quantity (acceleration of gravity);
f) measurements with the volt-amperometric method: indirect determination of a physical quantity (resistance of a resistor);
g) RC circuit: charge and discharge; indirect determination of a physical quantity (capacity of a capacitor); frequency response;
h) RLC circuit: indirect determination of a physical quantity (inductance of an inductor); frequency response; quality factor Q; applying a band-pass filter.

J. R. TAYLOR: Introduzione all'analisi degli errori. Lo studio delle incertezze nelle misure fisiche. Zanichelli, Bologna.

(additional texts that may be useful)
M. LORETI: Teoria degli Errori e Fondamenti di Statistica, Edizioni Decibel-Zanichelli 1998 (free and legal download from the site: http://wwwcdf.pd.infn.it/labo/INDEX.html )
M. SEVERI: Introduzione alla esperimentazione fisica. Zanichelli, Bologna
L. KIRKUP: Experimental methods for science and engineering students: an introduction to the analysis and presentation of data. Cambridge University Press

The course is subject to mandatory participation in at least 80% of the hours dedicated to laboratory experiences. Learning will be verified by:
a) drafting of a scientific report concerning the experimental measurements carried out in the laboratory, which must report the description of the experimental approach adopted, the processing of the data collected, the final result (including uncertainty) of the measured physical quantity. In this way one evaluates the student’s ability to deal with experimental and practical problems, to correctly elaborate a set of experimental data, to report his/her work in a formal manner. The report must be delivered no later than three months after the end of the laboratory experiences (and in any case before the oral exam);
b) oral exam consisting of a series of questions regarding both the program reported in the "Contents" section and the scientific report on laboratory experiences. In this way, the students can demonstrate the learning of the topics covered in class, the ability to present them in a formal way, to know how to apply them to real cases. The oral exam typically lasts about 30-40 minutes.

The course is organized in:
a) lectures;
b) laboratory experiences in which the students, working in groups or individually, carry out the collection of experimental data and subsequent processing. For laboratory experiences there is an obligation to attend at least 80% of the dedicated hours.
In the "Moodle" platform of the University teaching material will be present.

Italian

The course may undergo changes in its structure following the evolution of the health emergency conditions.

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion
Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments:
Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). In the case of disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: inclusione@unive.it

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