Syllabus
Syllabus
Syllabus
Physics 2BL
A LABORATORY COURSE ON EXPERIMENTAL METHODS OF PHYSICS
Spring 2023
Experiments:
1. Measure the density of the Earth
2. Measure moments of inertia
3. Design a shock absorber
4. Measure Coulomb force and calibrate a voltmeter
Methodology. Assemble the experimental apparatus using items that are available in
the lab, learn how to use them, and obtain the desired data. Any equipment, simple or
complicated, will yield better results as the experimenter gains experience with it. Notes
in a lab notebook are also an essential part of any experiment. They provide an
accurate record of your measurements and procedures. You will need these notes
when you write a description of the results of your experiment.
Report. Submit Lab reports to TAs via gradescope by 11:59 pm, Friday, see the
schedule in Lecture Notes 1 (e.g. Lab 1 report due 11:59 pm, Friday, Apr 21).
1
UCSD PHYSICS DEPARTMENT
Clarity and brevity are the important requirements for this report.
Lectures. The lectures will contain material that is essential for satisfactory
performance of the experiments. Both the experiments and general error analysis will
be covered in the lectures.
Exam (June 5, Monday, 6:00p – 6:50 pm, York Hall 2722). The exam will cover the
material in the lectures and the labs. Some of the questions will be similar to the
homework problems and lecture examples. Lab questions will include derivation of
background theory.