A lab activity for teaching physics students the fundamentals of statistical analysis during the first few weeks of instruction is described. This activity involves students timing a pulse of light generated by an Arduino device of fixed duration with individual timers (e.g. stopwatch, iPhone timer). To select the most precise timing methods and…

Discusses when alternating and magnetic fields are independent. Provides examples of experiments involving mains hum and the detection of induced signals. Describes electric circuits and oscilloscope displays. (Author/YP)

Describes some experiments for investigating the speed of atomic gas beams and displaying their atomic character. Discusses the experimental apparatus and the time-of-flight method. (YP)

Discusses the theory and experimental procedures for using Young's eriometer to determine the diameters of blood corpuscles, lycopodium powder, and wool fibers. (CC)

Described are three experiments on the photometric, Gaussian, and image-forming properties of a helium-neon gas laser. Details of the experimental method and typical calculations with diagrams and graphs are provided. (YP)

Describes a procedure based on the assumption that during the rated lifetime of a light bulb roughly half of the radius of the filament evaporates. Explains how the filament's operating temperature can be deduced. (DDR)

Describes use of a Fresnel biprism to demonstrate double-slit interference with polarized light. Discusses polarization and phase properties of a randomly polarized gas. (JM)

Describes experimental procedures to produce magnetic fields with a thermocouple. Provides diagrams showing the apparatus, tables of experiment data, and background information on the theory. (YP)

Introduced are two experiments: radon detection method shows real data using vacuum cleaner, soft toilet paper, and Geiger-Muller tube; critical potentials measurement describes the operation of Teltron tube with VELA. (YP)

Introduces an experiment involving the observation of Brownian motion for college students. Describes the apparatus, experimental procedures, data analysis and results, and error analysis. Lists experimental techniques used in the experiment. Provides a circuit diagram, typical data, and graphs. (YP)

Deals with a diffraction experiment using wrapping paper. Provides a magnified picture of the paper, a diffraction diagram, and some instructional information. (YP)

Reports the results of an experiment with undergraduates in a physics laboratory that indicates that preparation before a lab session improves student performance in the lab. Also concludes that follow-up work can lead to meaningful learning. (DDR)

Describes an experimental procedure to measure the specific heat of a gas. Discusses equipment, setup, and procedures and provides sample values obtained for air, propane, helium, carbon dioxide, and argon. (JM)

Presents descriptions of three experimental procedures for physics classes: forced oscillations, measuring the refractive index of perspex, and measuring the critical potentials of helium. (SA)