4.0 THE FORMAT OF ANY PHYSICS EXPERIMENTS,

THE FORMAT OF PHYSICS EXPERIMENTS,

The experiments are presented in the form of self-instructional

material in the following format

1) Aim: It defines the scope of the experiment.

2) Objectives: The objectives of an experiment give you an idea about the

skills or the knowledge that you are expected to develop after performing

that experiment.

3) What you should know?: It highlights the concepts and background

knowledge related to the experiment, which you must understand in order

to do the experiment in a meaningful way.

4) Material required: It gives an exhaustive list of apparatus and other material

required to perform the experiment.

5) How to set up and perform the experiment?: The steps are given in a

sequential manner for setting up the apparatus and performing the,

experiment. The precautions, wherever necessary, are incorporated while

describing various steps.

6) What to observe?: A proper format of recording the observations, is

suggested in each experiment.

7) Analysis of data: How to analyze your data, is suggested in each experiment;

Quite frequently, it is combined with the previous heading, at serial number 6.

8) Result: It is the outcome of the observations and supports the aim set in the

beginning.

9) Sources of error: Since all the experiments in physics involve measurements,

your attention; is drawn in each experiment to major pitfalls specific to that

experiment, if any, which may cause error in your measurements.

10) Check your understanding: At the end of each experiment, a few questions

have been incorporated to consolidate what has been done and to check

your own understanding about it.

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3.0 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LABORATORY PRACTICALS:

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

1. You must arrive on time since instructions are given and announcements are made at

the start of class.

2. Awork station and lab partners will be assigned to you in the first lab meeting. You

will do experiments in a group but you are expected to bear your share of responsibility

in doing the experiments. You must actively participate in obtaining the data and

not merely watch your partners do it for you.

3. The assigned work station must be kept neat and clean at all times. Coats/jackets

must be hung at the appropriate place, and all personal possessions other than those

needed for the lab should be kept in the table drawers or under the table.

4. The data must be recorded neatly with a sharp pencil and presented in a logical way.

You may want to record the data values, with units, in columns and identify the

quantity that is being measured at the top of each column.

5. If a mistake is made in recording a datum item, cancel the wrong value by drawing a

fine line through it and record the correct value legibly.

6. Get your data sheet, with your name, ID number and date printed on the right corner,

signed by the instructor before you leave the laboratory. This will be the only valid

proof that you actually did the experiment.

7. Each student, even though working in a group, will have his or her own data sheet

and submit his or her own written report, typed, for grading to the instructor by the

next scheduled lab session. No late reports will be accepted.

8. Actual data must be used in preparing the report. Use of fabricated, altered, and

other students’ data in your report will be considered as cheating. No credit will be

given for that particular lab and the matter will be reported to the Dean of Students.

9. Be honest and report your results truthfully. If there is an unreasonable discrepancy

from the expected results, give the best possible explanation.

10. If you must be absent, let your instructor know as soon as possible. A missed lab can

be made up only if a written valid excuse is brought to the attention of your instructor

within a week of the missed lab.

11. You should bring your calculator, a straight-edge scale and other accessories to class.

It might be advantageous to do some quick calculations on your data to make sure

that there are no gross errors.

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2.0 GENERAL LABORATORY RULES

ü  All Laboratory Students, Assistants, Faculty, and Staff must abide by the following safety rules when using the Physics Laboratory. This list may be modified as deemed appropriate for specific situations.

ü  Follow directions carefully when using any laboratory apparatus to prevent personal injury and damage to the apparatus.

ü  The instructions on all warning signs must be read and obeyed.

ü  Wear safety goggles for laboratory activities such as projectile motion, centripetal force, and other labs that involve rapid motion or acceleration of any kind. The goggles are provided by the department and each person in the lab must wear them.

ü   Long hair and loose items of jewelry or clothing MUST be secured during work with rotating machinery.

ü   Each student MUST know the use and location of all first aid and emergency equipment in the laboratories and storage areas.

ü   Each student must know the emergency telephone numbers to summon the fire fighters, police, emergency medical service or other emergency response services.

ü  Each student must be familiar with all elements of fire safety: alarm, evacuation and assembly, fire containment and suppression, rescue and facilities evaluation.

ü   NEVER aim or fire a projectile motion device at a person.

ü  Keep hands clear of any fan blades, moving parts, or projectile launchers (other than to pull the trigger).

ü  Laboratory walkways and exits must remain clear at all times.

ü  Glassware breakage and malfunctioning instrument or equipment should be reported to the Teaching Assistant or Laboratory Specialist. It is best to allow the Teaching Assistant or Laboratory Specialist to clean up any broken glass.

ü  All accidents and injuries MUST be reported to the Laboratory Specialist or Faculty teaching affected lab section. An Accident Report MUST be completed as soon as possible after the event by the Laboratory Specialist.

ü  No tools, supplies, or other equipment may be tossed from one person to another; carefully hand the item to the recipient.

ü  Casual visitors to the laboratory are to be discouraged and MUST have permission from the Teaching Assistant, Faculty Instructor of the section in question, or Laboratory Specialist to enter. All visitors and invited guests MUST adhere to all laboratory safety rules. Adherence is the responsibility of the person visited.

ü  No open-toed shoes are allowed in the laboratory (lab assistants and professor included), as weights or other objects may accidentally drop on people‘s feet; ordinary footware provides a measure of protection from such instances.

ü  Location of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment):

ü  Safety goggles are staged in the back in the drawer marked ―goggles

ü  A first aid kit is available near the sink at the front of the lab

ü  All Laboratory Students, Assistants, Faculty, and Staff must abide by the following safety rules when using the Physics Laboratory. This list may be modified as deemed appropriate for specific situations.

ü  Follow directions carefully when using any laboratory apparatus to prevent personal injury and damage to the apparatus.

ü  The instructions on all warning signs must be read and obeyed.

ü  Wear safety goggles for laboratory activities such as projectile motion, centripetal force, and other labs that involve rapid motion or acceleration of any kind. The goggles are provided by the department and each person in the lab must wear them.

ü  Long hair and loose items of jewelry or clothing MUST be secured during work with rotating machinery.

ü  Each student MUST know the use and location of all first aid and emergency equipment in the laboratories and storage areas.

ü  Each student must know the emergency telephone numbers to summon the fire fighters, police, emergency medical service or other emergency response services.

ü   Each student must be familiar with all elements of fire safety: alarm, evacuation and assembly, fire containment and suppression, rescue and facilities evaluation.

ü   NEVER aim or fire a projectile motion device at a person.

ü  Keep hands clear of any fan blades, moving parts, or projectile launchers (other than to pull the trigger).

ü   Laboratory walkways and exits must remain clear at all times.

ü   Glassware breakage and malfunctioning instrument or equipment should be reported to the Teaching Assistant or Laboratory Specialist. It is best to allow the Teaching Assistant or Laboratory Specialist to clean up any broken glass.

ü  All accidents and injuries MUST be reported to the Laboratory Specialist or Faculty teaching affected lab section. An Accident Report MUST be completed as soon as possible after the event by the Laboratory Specialist.

ü   No tools, supplies, or other equipment may be tossed from one person to another; carefully hand the item to the recipient.

ü  Casual visitors to the laboratory are to be discouraged and MUST have permission from the Teaching Assistant, Faculty Instructor of the section in question, or Laboratory Specialist to enter. All visitors and invited guests MUST adhere to all laboratory safety rules. Adherence is the responsibility of the person visited.

ü  No open-toed shoes are allowed in the laboratory (lab assistants and professor included), as weights or other objects may accidentally drop on people‘s feet; ordinary footware provides a measure of protection from such instances.

Location of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) should be well known

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1.0 PHYSICS PRACTICAL S FOR O LEVEL.

PHYSICS PRACTICAL S

              O LEVEL

Introduction

Laboratories offer an ideal opportunity to learn and strengthen, by means of actual observations,

some of the principles and laws of physics that are taught to you in general physics

lectures. You will also become familiar with modern measuring equipment and learn the

fundamentals of preparing a report of the results.

THE OBJECTIVES OF PRACTICAL PHYSICS

"What are the objectives of laboratory work; why do

it?" Laboratory work may serve to:

Demonstrate the principles covered in your study material in physics;

ü  Provide familiarity with apparatus and enable them to handle the instruments and apparatus with purpose;

ü  Learn how to do science experiments;

ü  Develop an attitude of perfection in practical tasks.

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