Physics 2BL

Overview of the Course

This course provides instruction and experience in the use of statistical inference and experimental methods of physical science to solve practical problems.

Schedule for Winter 2003

10 weeks with 4 experiments.

Lecture Material

Systematic Effects:
Projection Optics as an Explanation for the Rise of Naturalism in Renaissance Painting (after Falco and Hockney, July 2000, Optics and Photonics News).

Laboratory Experiments

Laboratory Experiment #1:
(Measure the density of the earth)
Overview of the experiment
Example proposal
Notes on measuring the radius of the earth
Map to the cliffs at Black's Beach

Laboratory Experiment #2:
(Absolute measurements versus measurements of variability)
Overview of the experiment
Notes on measuring the thickness of a shell

Laboratory Experiment #3:
(Design and build a prototype shock absorber)
Overview of the experiment
Notes on regression analysis
Notes on simple harmonic motion

Laboratory Experiment #4:
(Design and build a prototype voltage calibrator)
Overview of the experiment