31054 - Laboratory of Physics 1 (A-L)

Academic Year 2010/2011

  • Moduli: Marco Cuffiani (Modulo 1) Luca Pasquini (Modulo 2) Federico Palmonari (Modulo 3)
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2) Traditional lectures (Modulo 3)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Physics (cod. 8007)

Learning outcomes

The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to probability and statistics useful in the analysis of experimental data.    Students are expected to be able to correctly measure physical quantities, analyse data taken during laboratory sessions and write short reports.

Course contents

- The measure of physical quantities.

the experimental method; the International System (SI) of units; the experimental uncertanties (statistical and systematic errors); the Gauss distribution; the maximum likelihood method for the estimation of the parameters of a distribution; linear fits; rejection of data; the Student distribution; confidence intervals and confidence levels; the chi2 test.

- Laboratory sessions.

sample of data extracted from a Gauss population and best gaussian fit; calibration of a thermocouple and best linear fit; conservation of momentum and of angular momentum; measure of the specific heat of copper; measure of the ratio of molar heats of air; measure of the Boltzmann constant with a Perrin-like experiment.

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

J. R. Tayor "Introduzione all'analisi degli errori" (seconda edizione)
Zanichelli.

P. Fornasini "The uncertainty in physical measurements" Springer.

A. Filipponi "Introduzione alla fisica" Zanichelli.



Teaching methods


Lectures and laboratory sessions.

Assessment methods

Written and oral examinations.

Teaching tools



Office hours

See the website of Marco Cuffiani

See the website of Luca Pasquini

See the website of Federico Palmonari