Contents Preface 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Safety 1 1.2 Laboratory Objectives 2 1.3 Development of Character and Sense of Responsibility 2 1.4 Preparation for the Actual Laboratory Work 3 1.5 Equipment Care 4 1.6 Materials to Be Provided by the Student 5 1.7 Performance of the Experiment 5 1.8 Experimental Report 5 1.9 Proficiency in the Laboratory 6 1.10 Use of the Origin Software 7 2. EXPERIMENTAL UNCERTAINTY AND DATA ANALYSIS 8 2.1 Measurement 8 2.2 Types of Errors 11 2.3 Statistical Analysis of Random Errors 15 2.4 Accuracy and Precision 20 2.5 Uncertainty 21 2.6 Instrument Error 26 2.7 Propagation of Uncertainties 30 2.8 Significant Figures 34 2.9 Computations with Measured Values 36 2.10 Graphical Representation of Data 38 2.11 Least-Squares Fitting 42 Problems for Chapter 2 48 3. EXPERIMENTS 50 3.1 Measurement of Resistance by Ammeter-Voltmeter Method 50 3.2 Use Hall Effect to Measure Magnetic Field 64 3.3 The Oscilloscope 75 3.4 Measurement of the Young’s Modulus of Wire by Elongating 84 3.5 Laser Holography 97 3.6 Newton’s Rings 106 3.7 Polarized Light 115 3.8 Measuring Laser Wavelength and Index of Refraction of Air by Michelson Interferometer 126 3.9 Measurement of the Apex Angle of a Prism and the Wavelengths of Mercury Lights Using a Spectrometer 138 3.10 The Franck-Hertz Experiment 152 3.11 The Millikan Oil Drop Experiment 163 3.12 The Wheatstone Bridge and the Prototype of Electric Balance 172 3.13 Measuring the Ultrasonic Speed 184 3.14 The Photoelectric Effect 196 3.15 The Potentiometer 205 APPENDIX I Laboratory Report Writing Format 215 A1-1 Abstract 215 A1-2 Introduction 215 A1-3 Experimental Procedure 215 A1-4 Results 216 A1-5 Discussion 216 A1-6 Conclusion 216 A1-7 References 216 A1-8 Appendices 217 APPENDIX II Materials Properties and Physical Constants 218 APPENDIX III Physical Experiments I Sample Examination Paper 221 Part A Multiple Choice 221 Part B Long Questions 225 Answers to Sample Questions 229 References 232