Physics 105

January 22, 2003

Today we will focus on the following topics:

• Making measurements:
  • Recording: for each measurement made the conditions should be recorded so that when you write your report, you can easily go back and find the measurements of interest.
  • Reproducibility: each measurement should be reproducible. Enough information should be provided so that anyone can repeat the same measurement and get the same result.
  • Calibration: for each tool you use you should ensure that it is calibrated correctly. This is done by comparing the results of some measurements carried out with this tool with those made using a "standard".
  • Errors: although each measurement should be reproducible, variations in the results will occur as a result of small variations in the experiment. For each measurement you carry out, you should estimate the errors in your results.
• Reporting your measurements:
  • How to write a lab report?
  • An example of a lab report.
  • Frequently made mistaktes.
• Recording results of measurements in graphs:
  • Scientific Graphs
• Continue our introduction to the motion sensor:
  • All experiments are saved in a "Handout" folder in your documents folder.
  • Today we will complete our introductory experiments with the motion sensor. For each measurement you should make an estimate of the measurement error, determine the minimum and maximum range, and calibrate the sensor. Please make sure you are able to explain how you define the minimum and the maximum range!
    • P00 Playing with the motion sensor
    • P00a Motion sensor
    • P00b Motion sensor
    • P00c Motion sensor
• Describing motion:
• Understanding motion I: distance and time.
• The first lab report will be due on Monday January 27. The lab report should describe the results of your first measurements with the motion sensor (P00, P00a, P00b, P00c, and P01). Use the guidelines in "How to write a lab report" as a starting point for your report. Make sure you included whatever graphs are needed to support your conclusions. Your lab report should at least include the following points:
  • What is the maximum and minimum range of the motion sensor and how does it depend on the frequency of the sensor? Make sure you explain how you measured these minima and maxima.
  • Is the motion sensor calibrated correctly? Is the position you measure, measured from the front face of the sensor?
  • Make an estimate of the errors made in the measurements with the motion sensor. Are these errors dominated by the accuracy of the motion sensor or by the experimenter?

  You can either hand in paper copies of your report or send them to me in electronic format via email.

  Please note that "lab-hours" will be held this Friday between 12 pm and 1.50 pm.

© Frank L. H. Wolfs, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA

Last updated on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 11:14