Development of experimental techniques for the observation and analysis of physical phenomena and make the students aware of the attitude of an experimentalist. Acquire the basic concepts in data analysis (from direct and indirect measurements) and experimental and laboratory skills; Carry out measurements using various instruments and in obtaining estimates for the measured quantities with relevance for the identification of the characteristics of the instruments and sources of errors. Use computers for data processing. Organization and methodology: to encourage the planning of measurements, data collection and storage, and the use of a notebook. Scientific communication: elaboration of written reports with the presentation, discussion and interpretation of experimental results.
Skills to develop: Competency in analysis and synthesis; Competence in critical thinking; Concern for quality; Competence in applying theoretical knowledge in practice.
Data Analysis. Errors in measurements. Error propagation. Probability distributions. Principles of least squares and maximum likelihood. Confidence intervals. Adjustment and quality assessment of a fit. The chi-square.
Conducting a series of experimental works in the areas of mechanics, the electricity, optics and wave phenomena, related to the contents of the following courses: General Physics I, General Physics II and Fundamentals of Modern Physics.
Generic skills to reach
. Competence in analysis and synthesis; . Critical thinking; . Quality concerns; . Competence in applying theoretical knowledge in practice; . Research skills; . Competence in organization and planning; . Competence in oral and written communication; . Computer Skills for the scope of the study; . Competence to solve problems; . Competence for working in group; (by decreasing order of importance)
Teaching hours per semester
total of teaching hours
Laboratory or field work
Bibliography of reference
M.C. Abreu, L. Matias e L.F. Peralta, Física Experimental - Uma introdução, Lisboa, Editorial Presença (1994). RECURSOS ESPECÍFICOS NECESSÁRIOS: Laboratório equipamento para experiências de Física Básica e algumas experiência de Física Moderna.
Partition of contact hours: Lectures 0h, Theoretical-Practical 30 h, Laboratory Practice 45h, Field Work 0h, Seminar 0h, Tutorial 0h, Other 0h.
Evaluation components and corresponding weights (as percentage) in the final grade
Laboratory practice 70, other 30.
In the theoretical-practical classes the teacher presents the experiments and assigns the preparatory work required before the execution of the experiment. The remaining class time will be devoted to analyzing and discussing the results of previous laboratory sessions. Working groups consist of two students. Each group performs a number of experiments according to a rotation system set in the first class. Students are obliged to own a logbook, where they should take note the particulars of the trial run that are not mentioned in the handout of the experiment, the possible sources of error or failure of the methodology and characteristics of the experimental set-up and all results obtained. This logbook will be used in the evaluation. Students must make reports and oral presentations of some of the lab sessions.
Laboratório equipamento para experiências de Física Básica e algumas experiência de Física Moderna.