Lahore University of Management Sciences

PHY 100 Experimental Physics Lab-I

Spring semester 2021

Instructor Dr. Ammar Ahmed Khan and Dr. Ata Ulhaq

Room No. 9-123A and
Office Hours
Email [email protected] and [email protected]
Telephone 3560 8401 and 3560 8130
Secretary/TA Physics Lab Instructors
TA Office Hours TBA
Course URL 1 http://physlab.org
Course Teaching Methodology (Please mention following details in plain text)
This course outline is written under the assumption that instruction will be in person and students will be able to attend labs at LUMS.
We will try our best to prevent crowding and observe safety precautions.

The first three weeks of the lab will involve pre-lab lectures in a computing laboratory on uncertainties and Matlab, and the next 11 weeks will involve
experimentation in the Physics lab.

Course Basics
Credit Hours 2
Lab (per week) Nbr of sessions 1 Duration 5 hours
Per week
Recitation Nbr of Lec(s) N/A Duration
Per Week
Tutorial (per week) Nbr of Lec(s) N/A Duration
Per Week

Course Distribution
Core SSE core
Elective N/A
Open for Student SSE
Category
Close for Student N/A
Category

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a core laboratory course that will familiarize students with modern and classical experiments in
physics through a set of carefully selected experiments probing different branches of physics. The course
aims to be an exciting and intellectually invigorating experience introducing students to the science of
experimentation and the joy that comes with it.

Students will learn about uncertainties and measurements, units and dimensions, and data & image
processing through Matlab. Students will also learn different techniques to carefully analyze, store,
process and display experimental data with special emphasis on curve fitting and plotting of results. In
addition, students will be trained in the best safe practices when working in an experimental lab and
provided experience in the safe handling of different materials. Furthermore, transferrable skills such as
technical report writing and mathematical modeling of will also be emphasized throughout the course.
They will learn about the correlation between theoretical predictions and experimental results. All
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experiments will be supervised by experienced Lab instructors as well as teaching assistants.

COURSE PREREQUISITE(S)

• None

COURSE OBJECTIVES
• See section below ‘Learning outcomes’

Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes of PHY-100 (Conceptual)
•
• Demonstrate a keen appreciation of physical quantities, their dimensions and units.
• Understand uncertainties and their propagation.
• Perform simple statistical analysis of data including means, mean squares and
correlations.
• Learn about different probability distributions.
• Mathematically understand physical processes and correlating them with linear,
exponential, sinusoidal and polynomial models.
• Representation of experimental data in the form of tables and graphs.
• Demonstrate the ability to present an idea in the following equivalent forms: equations
and formulas, words, graphs, pictures and sketches.

Learning outcomes of PHY-100 (Practical)

• Understand the significance of various kinds of materials (ceramics, plastics, metals,

conductors, insulators) being utilized in hardware.
• Experimental safety and prudent practices.
• Team work and tasks management.
• Technical report writing and keeping records of experimental results.

Grading Breakup and Policy

Pre-lab uncertainties Assignments: 5 %
Pre-lab Matlab Assignments: 5 %
Quiz(s): 10% (taken during the fifth week of the semester)
Laboratory performance and reports:
75 % (Missing a session altogether would result in a direct deduction)
The first 5 weeks of lab are of 6 % each
The last 4 weeks of the lab are 9 % each
The 10th week will consist of a presentation plus report of 9 %
Punctuality: 5% (Marks would be not be given if late by 10 minutes more at start of session)
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Examination Detail

Yes/No: No
Midterm Combine Separate:
Exam Duration:
Preferred Date:
Exam Specifications:

Yes/No: No
Final
Combine Separate:
Exam
Duration:
Exam Specifications:

Course Learning Outcomes (CLO)

PHY100- The students should be able to:

CLO1: Recognize how observation, experiment and theory work together to continue to expand the frontiers of knowledge of the
physical universe.
CLO2: Understand basic laboratory measurement and data analysis techniques, including distinguishing statistical and systematic
uncertainties, propagating from independent to dependent variable, representing data graphically and curve fitting.
CLO3: Understand & learn to use modern software tools for extensive data analysis
CLO4: Understand the basic laws of physics in the areas of classical mechanics, electromagnetism, radioactivity, thermodynamics
and modern physics.

Relation to EE Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

PHY100- Teaching CLO Attainment checked
Related PLOs Levels of Learning
CLOs Methods in
CLO1 PLO1 Cog-3 Instruction Lab grading
CLO2 PLO2 Cog-3 Instruction Lab grading, class quiz
CLO3 PLO5 Psy-4 Instruction Lab grading, class quiz
CLO4 PLO4 Cog-2 Instruction Lab grading

Week Related CLOs &

Title Topics
No. Additional Remarks
o Performing an experiment
- Goal, design, setup
- Taking reading
- Converting reading into measurements
- Inference and presentation
o An introduction to measurements and uncertainties
- Expression of measurements
- Accuracy & precision
- Random errors & systematic errors
- Uncertainty & its components
Pre-lab lecture CLO1, CLO2
1-4 - Type A & Type B uncertainty
series 4 sessions, 1 per week
o Identifying Significant figures
o Significant figure in calculations
- Addition/subtraction
- Multiplication/division
- Rounding
o Probability density function
o Mean, variance, standard deviation, standard uncertainty, standard
uncertainty In the mean
o Propagation of uncertainty
o Confidence intervals
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o Least square curve fitting
o Video tracking and modelling of physical systems

o Introduction to MATLAB
- The Command Window
- The Edit/Debug Windows
- Basic Mathematical operations
- Creating vectors and matrices
Introduction to - Extracting elements from Matrices
CLO3,
2-4 Data processing - Data manipulation
3 sessions
using MATLAB - Graphs and Plotting
- Multiple plots
- Resolution of Graph
o Curve fitting
- Least square curve fitting of linear & non-linear data
- Exercises
o Harmonic Motion is Observed through Webcam
o Dynamics, Moment of Inertia, Torque and Rotational Friction
o Moment of inertia of a tennis ball
o Craters in sand
o Heat Transfer and Newton’s Law of Cooling
o Latent Heat of Vaporization of Liquid Nitrogen
o Electromagnetic Induction and Working of Read-Write Operations in
Magnetic Media
o Vibrations on a String and Resonance
o Natural Radioactivity and Statistics
o Measurement of Planck's constant using a light bulb
o Observing Hall Effect Semiconductors
o Verification of de Broglie's hypothesis by electron diffraction from
Laboratory graphite
5-End CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4
Experiments o Energy conservation in two dimensions
o Moment of inertia of a table tennis ball
o Reproducing measurements of a time period with different
instruments
o Modeling the response of a thermistor
o Finding a resistance in series with a capacitor
o Using phase relationships to find an unknown capacitance in an RC
circuit
o Using a force sensor to measure vaporization of liquid nitrogen
o Finding the earth's magnetic field by twisting magnets
o Measuring the speed of sound using time of flight method
o Radioactivity: Effect of Absorbers
o Measuring the surface tension of fluids
o A doubly suspended pendulum

Textbook(s)/Supplementary Readings
Listed on course website: http://physlab.org

The website will be your best resource for finding recommended readings, background theory, sample
results and useful bits of code.
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Textbook(s)/Supplementary Readings
“Introduction to Electrodynamics” by David J. Griffiths 4th Ed.
“Engineering Electromagnetism”, W. H. Hayt
Academic Honesty
The principles of truth and honesty are recognized as fundamental to a community of teachers and students. This means that all
academic work will be done by the student to whom it is assigned without unauthorized aid of any kind. Plagiarism, cheating and
other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Any instances of academic dishonesty in this course (intentional or unintentional)
will be dealt with swiftly and severely. Potential penalties include receiving a failing grade on the assignment in question or in the
course overall. For further information, students should make themselves familiar with the relevant section of the LUMS student
handbook.
Harassment Policy
SSE, LUMS and particularly this class, is a harassment free zone. There is absolutely zero tolerance for any behaviour that is
intended, or has the expected result of making anyone uncomfortable and negatively impacts the class environment, or any
individual’s ability to work to the best of their potential.
In case a differently-abled student requires accommodations for fully participating in the course, students are advised to contact the
instructor so that they can be facilitated accordingly.
If you think that you may be a victim of harassment, or if you have observed any harassment occurring in the purview of this class,
please reach out and speak to me. If you are a victim, I strongly encourage you to reach out to the Office of Accessibility and
Inclusion at [email protected] or the sexual harassment inquiry committee at [email protected] for any queries, clarifications,
or advice. You may choose to file an informal or a formal complaint to put an end of offending behavior. You can find more details
regarding the LUMS sexual harassment policy here.
To file a complaint, please write to [email protected].
SSE Council on Equity and Belonging
SSIn addition to LUMS resources, SSE’s Council on Belonging and Equity is committed to devising ways to provide a safe,
inclusive and respectful learning environment for students, faculty and staff. To seek counsel related to any issues, please feel free to
approach either a member of the council or email at [email protected]
Rights and Code of Conduct for Online Teaching
A misuse of online modes of communication is unacceptable. TAs and Faculty will seek consent before the recording of live online
lectures or tutorials. Please ensure if you do not wish to be recorded during a session to inform the faculty member. Please also
ensure that you prioritize formal means of communication (email, lms) over informal means to communicate with
Rights and Code of Conduct for Online Teaching
A misuse of online modes of communication is unacceptable. TAs and Faculty will seek consent before the recording of live online
lectures or tutorials. Please ensure if you do not wish to be recorded during a session to inform the faculty member. Please also
ensure that you prioritize formal means of communication (email, lms) over informal means to communicate with course staff.