Module Identifier PH05010  
Module Title LABORATORY PHYSICS 1  
Academic Year 2000/2001  
Co-ordinator Dr Andrew Evans  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr David Langstaff, Dr Tudor Jenkins  
Pre-Requisite GCSE Mathematics or equivalent  
Co-Requisite None  
Mutually Exclusive Not available to students on 3 year BSc (Hons) or 4 year MPhys schemes  
Course delivery Practical   11 x 3 hours  
Assessment Course work   Two error workshops (20%) and and eight experiments (80%)    

Brief description
This module on Laboratory Physics is an introduction to experimental physics. Emphasis is placed on the training of students to use basic instruments, perform simple error calculations and critically assess results in order to draw reliable conclusions. Experiments are designed to reflect theoretical topics covered in other modules - hence experiments cover properties of matter, forces and mechanics as well as other realms of basic physics.

Learning outcomes
After taking this module students should be able to:

Additional learning activities
Each student is expected to give a five minute talk on one of the experiments that has been carried out.

Outline syllabus
A number of experiments are available. These are divided into four blocks. Students will be expected to carry out two experiments in both groups 3 and 4 and a minimum of two experiments in any other group to be chosen by the individual students. At the end of each experiment, students will produce a laboratory diary and report which will be marked and returned as soon as possible to provide suitable feedback.

The experiment blocks are as follows:
1. Electricity and magnetism.
2. Oscillations and waves.
3. Mechanics and forces.
4. Properties of matter.

Reading Lists
Books
A department handbook will be issued at the beginning of the module.