UCSD PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

Physics 2BL
A LABORATORY COURSE ON EXPERIMENTAL METHODS OF PHYSICS
Spring 2023

Instructor: Professor Leonid Butov

2117 Natural Sciences Building
Email: lvbutov@physics.ucsd.edu

Lectures: Monday 6:00p – 6:50 pm, York Hall 2722

Office Hours: Monday 7:00 – 8:00 pm or by appointment

Text: J. R. Taylor, An Introduction to Error Analysis. Second Edition

The objective of this course is to introduce you to experimental methods of physics.

The stages in the performance of an experiment include:

 Identification and description of the problem.
 Design and construction of equipment to make measurements.
 Testing and calibration of the instrumentation, data-taking.
 Analysis of the data.
 Preparation of a written report.
Our intention is that you gain an experience in all of the above steps, so that you will
emerge from the course with some first hand experience with the “scientific method.”

Experiments:
1. Measure the density of the Earth
2. Measure moments of inertia
3. Design a shock absorber
4. Measure Coulomb force and calibrate a voltmeter

Methodology. Assemble the experimental apparatus using items that are available in
the lab, learn how to use them, and obtain the desired data. Any equipment, simple or
complicated, will yield better results as the experimenter gains experience with it. Notes
in a lab notebook are also an essential part of any experiment. They provide an
accurate record of your measurements and procedures. You will need these notes
when you write a description of the results of your experiment.

Report. Submit Lab reports to TAs via gradescope by 11:59 pm, Friday, see the
schedule in Lecture Notes 1 (e.g. Lab 1 report due 11:59 pm, Friday, Apr 21).

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The report should include:

● Diagram(s) showing the experimental set-up, key equations
● Data recording, analysis, and presentation in graphs
● Error analysis, dominant sources of error
● Experimental conclusions
Details will be provided on canvas.

Data should never be fudged to get the expected result.

Clarity and brevity are the important requirements for this report.

Lab partners should prepare and submit separate reports.

Lectures. The lectures will contain material that is essential for satisfactory
performance of the experiments. Both the experiments and general error analysis will
be covered in the lectures.

Homework: Reading & Problems. Completing the homework assignments is essential

to your understanding of the course material and overall success in the class. The
assigned problems are given in the schedule (Lecture Notes 1). Submit homework
assignments to TAs via gradescope by 11:59 pm, Friday, see the schedule (e.g. HW1
Probs 3.10 & 3.28 due 11:59 pm, Friday, Apr 14). Solutions will be posted the following
week.

Exam (June 5, Monday, 6:00p – 6:50 pm, York Hall 2722). The exam will cover the
material in the lectures and the labs. Some of the questions will be similar to the
homework problems and lecture examples. Lab questions will include derivation of
background theory.

Grading: Lab Work 4 x 17 = 68 %

Homework 10 x 1 = 10 %
Exam 22 %