Corso di laurea in Fisica

The course is developed in parallel to Mechanics (II Lessons Period) and Waves, Fluids and Thermodinamics (III Lessons Period), whose topics are important for the understanding of the laboratory activities.
It is useful to have assimilated the techniques on how to use the software Mathematica presented during the course of the First Lessons Period; in addition, it can be useful to know how to use the mathematical tools presented during the mathematical courses of the First and Second Lessons Period.

The course is preparatory to all the following laboratory courses.

Understanding of the experimental nature of Physics and its methodology. Learning of the methods to deal with the experimental data, experimental errors analysis for direct and indirect measurements and empirical test of the functional dependence bewteen two physical observables.

Knowledge and understanding

The course, reconsidering basic physical topics to present later the experimental test, let the student enhance his knowledge of the principles of Classical Physics (Mechanics, Thermodinamics, Fluids, Waves).

The students have to learn the working principles of the laboratory instruments tipically used in phisical measurements and the basic statistical methods for the analysis of the experimental data.

Furthermore the need to analyse the experiemental data and to edit a lab report enhances the computational and computer skills.

 

Applying knowledge and understanding

First of all lab activity requires the skill to take measurements in the laboratory and the skill to interpret the experimental data by a correct statistical analysis.

Lab activity especially allows to learn how to deal with problems in new contexts and to get to know new problems identifying their essential principles; it allows in addition to plan experimental studies and to analyse the results. The course, reconsidering topics of basic Physics to present later their experimental test, allows to better understand the scientific method. Furthermore the need to analyse the experimental data strengthen the computational and computer skills of the student.

The students also develop the skill to organize their personal task and team working skills, even assuming organizational responsibilities.

The necessity to write the report of the activity which has been done, discussing the achieved results, develops the capability to argue and to clearly summarize the conclusions, both in written and oral form.

Lab activity, done in group as well and characterized by the need to conform to the experimental issues, develops a flexible attitude, able to deal with issues always a bit different, which facilitates the inclusion in the job role

Class-taught lessons and practice exercises; lab practice exercises associated with a Tutorial on the experimental data analysis.

Learning is verified progressively throughout the course through responses given to simple forms, experience reports, and verification of compilation of the lab logbook.

Each student draws up 4 individual reports (two for Module I and two for Module II) that are corrected and returned to students for revision. Evaluation of these reports enters the overall evaluation for the purpose of the examination, delivery within the time allowed is binding in order to take the exam.

Learning is finally verified through the oral discussion of the reports written during the course, the verification of the knowledge of the physics of the experiments performed and the theoretical contents of the data analysis methods presented during classroom lessons.

The exam is oral.

Classroom-taught lessons

The experimental method: comparison theory-experiment. Systematic and random errors.

Evaluation of random error in the single measurement case. Stochastic variables,  Variabili stocastiche, repetitions of measurements and empirical average value. Evaluation of error for few and several measurements cases; gaussian distribution and its properties, distribution of the empirical average value variable. Statistical meaning of the error; significant figures. Comparison test bewteen experimental value and expected value and compatibility test between experimental measurements different in the case of small and big cross-section. Correlation between physical quantities and test of the existence of a functional dependence: method of least squares and chi-squared test. Student test. Derivative distributions. Linear Correlation Coefficient and its use. . Coefficiente di correlazione lineare e suo utilizzo. Brief explanation about Variance Analysis.

Practice Exercises in laboratory

Mesurements of physical quantities and fulfillment of experiments about Classical Physics with further discussion over the achieved data.

Textbooks of interest for the course (here indicated in Italian or translated in Italian):

1. G. Cannelli - Metodologie sperimentali in Fisica - EdiSES
   as well as
2. Taylor - introduzione alla teoria dell'errore - Zanichelli (see Taylor - Introduction to error analysis)
3. Garfagnini - Appunti delle lezioni del corso di Esperimentazioni di Fisica IB (a.a.2001-2002) - CLU (reperibile anche nella Biblioteca di Fisica)
4. Filatrella - Elaborazione statistica dei dati sperimentali - EdiSESR.
5. Piazza - I capricci del caso -Springerv

AVVISO: sono disponibili le registrazioni delle lezioni di Esperimentzioni I - A sul sito:
http://elearning.moodle2.unito.it/df/ (nella sezione I Anno)

The educational material  (shared with the course A) is annually updated and uploaded on the website Moodle.

Indications on the targets and the programme of the single modules are available on the respective webpages.

Attendance: strongly suggested for the classroom-taught lessons and mandatory for the lab activities (with special attention given to student workers to let them attend the lab).

NOTE: it is mandatory to register for the Physics Laboratory I class on the page Campusnet. To use the educational material it is necessary to register for the module on the webpage Moodle. The topics presented during the lectures will be available on Moodle and on the same page the homeworks given during the classes will be specified; their evaluation will contribute to the final grade.

Use the material available on the webpage Moodle.

ADDITIONAL NORE: the video recordings of the lessons of Physical Laboratory I A are available on the website:
http://elearning.moodle2.unito.it/df/ (under the section I Year)