| CODE | PHY2230 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Experimental Physics | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Physics | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit provides a number of numerical and lab experiments that illustrate numerical and experimental techniques. It is meant to build on the experimental and computational techniques that the students have learned during the first year. In the case of computational experiments, this is carried through a short advanced course on numerical techniques followed by a number of applications that preferentially will relate to topic being covered in other units during the second year. In the case of experimental labs, the candidates will be presented with more advanced experiments as compared to those covered in first year that again preferentially relate to topic being covered in other study units. The lab sheets will also contain less detail so that the candidates are induced to work more independently. Study-unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to strengthen the student's knowledge of numerical and experimental techniques so as to identify and produce useful outputs from experiments. In so doing the student will understand better the theoretical concepts behind the particular experiments that relate to the second year teaching of the joint honours degree in physics. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - write a structured program meant to solve numerical problems using Python; - follow a set experimental procedure to obtain the desired result; - apply the experimental measurements to the theory and formulae covered elsewhere in the course; - obtain a practical, hands-on insight into the various principles and theories covered by the experiments; - list and explain the basic health and safety procedures that should be followed in a laboratory. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - write programs using Python to carry out data analysis; - solve problems using numerical techniques; - use a variety of instruments to make measurements; - perform physics experiments using the provided laboratory equipment; - identify sources of error in the experimental setup and procedure; - devise precautions to limit the effect of sources of errors; - make measurements and compute the required results; - calculate the errors inherent in the result; - use spreadsheet programs to perform calculations; - produce a report in an accepted format detailing the work done and the results achieved; - use a word processor to write and format a report. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite qualifications: Follows from PHY1105 Fundamentals of Experimental Physics and PHY1135 Introduction to Computational Physics | ||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Practical | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Hayley Camilleri Alessio Magro (Co-ord.) Therese Quattromani Connor Sant Fournier |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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