What is Physics lab: Definition and 135 Discussions

Physics (from Ancient Greek: φυσική (ἐπιστήμη), romanized: physikḗ (epistḗmē), lit. 'knowledge of nature', from φύσις phýsis 'nature') is the natural science that studies matter, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. Physics is one of the most fundamental scientific disciplines, and its main goal is to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines and, through its inclusion of astronomy, perhaps the oldest. Over much of the past two millennia, physics, chemistry, biology, and certain branches of mathematics were a part of natural philosophy, but during the Scientific Revolution in the 17th century these natural sciences emerged as unique research endeavors in their own right. Physics intersects with many interdisciplinary areas of research, such as biophysics and quantum chemistry, and the boundaries of physics are not rigidly defined. New ideas in physics often explain the fundamental mechanisms studied by other sciences and suggest new avenues of research in academic disciplines such as mathematics and philosophy.
Advances in physics often enable advances in new technologies. For example, advances in the understanding of electromagnetism, solid-state physics, and nuclear physics led directly to the development of new products that have dramatically transformed modern-day society, such as television, computers, domestic appliances, and nuclear weapons; advances in thermodynamics led to the development of industrialization; and advances in mechanics inspired the development of calculus.

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  1. R

    Help Needed: Last Physics Lab Assignment Rod Problem

    I need to get a 100 on this last Physics lab assignment, but I can't get this "rod" ...problem :( Help would be appreciated (a) L1 = (65 cm)/2 = 32.5 cm "CORRECT" (b) [(149 kg)(1) + (149 kg)(65 cm) + (149 kg)(65 cm + 32.5 cm)] / (3)(149 kg) = (149 + 9685 + 14527.5) / (447) =...
  2. T

    Physics lab; deriving for μs and μk

    1. Physics Lab : Homework Statement design, run and report an experiment to calculate A) μs B) μk between a flat bottomed object and a flat surface ( include a section called "theory" in which you formally derive an expression for μs and μk ) im basically just having troubles deriving ...
  3. L

    Errors in this experimental physics lab

    Homework Statement Errors that might arise through this experiment: A puck upon a air table which makes certain dots with a specific length in between each of them for a 50 g mass and a 150 g mass, we need to find the acceleration, which i did and the coefficient of the friction that they...
  4. K

    I with my physics lab questions about diffraction grafting

    question 1) If "d" is the grafting constant "spacing between 2 slits on a grating), hwo can we obtain the ruling (number of grooves per meter) "D"? 2) Illistrate order of diffraction
  5. B

    Physics Lab Questions: Rubber Band & Force Probe

    Okay, I am working on my physics lab, and I have a few questions regarding it. First, we are asked to make a prediction: "Predict how you think the presence of a rubber band will affect the force felt by the force probe from the rubber band compared to masses hung directly from the hook?" My...
  6. J

    Need specific IR thermometer model for experimental physics lab

    I work in a nano-optics group, and need an IR thermometer with certain specifications. Online I have only come across cooking thermometers and industrial thermometers, so I need help finding one for a physics experimental lab setup. Specifications: - high accuracy, and pin-point surface...
  7. J

    Get Physics Lab Help: Find Theoretical Distance X

    1.hi, I am new to this forum and i have a question regarding my final physics lab: A solid spherical ball, R= 1.4 cm and m=95 grams, is released from point A(1m above the). After traveling through the loop, the ball exits the set up as a projectile and land at point B with the horizontal...
  8. B

    Excel graphing problems with a Physics lab

    Homework Statement I have two columns of data to graph from a lab we did on spherical lenses. The instructor showed a quick and dirty sketch of what our graph should look like - a decreasing curve. My data plots as an increasing linear graph. If I flip the x-axis data top to bottom I can...
  9. B

    In a physics lab experiment, a compressed spring launches

    Homework Statement In a physics lab experiment, a compressed spring launches a 40g metal ball at a 25 degree angle. Compressing the spring 17cm causes the ball to hit the floor 1.6m below the point at which it leaves the spring after traveling 5.3m horizontally. What is the spring constant...
  10. S

    Calc Error in Centripetal Force | Physics Lab

    Homework Statement Determine the error in the calculated centripetal force, F (dynamic), for each value of r from the estimated error in the quantities m, r, and from the standard deviation from the mean of your three measurements of f. Derive the equation for the error using Rule # 2 for...
  11. T

    Physics Lab Experiment- Confused on what we are measuring

    In my physics class for an assessment we designed our own lab. In our lab we had plastic cups and cut small holes in the bottom ranging from 0.3 cm to 1.3 cm diameters. We then measured the amount of time it took for different volumes of water, detergent, syrup and rubbing alcohol. I...
  12. A

    What Is the Maximum Speed a Car Can Travel Without Skidding on a Circular Track?

    Physics lab normal force please help! A 1000-kg car moves at a maximum speed so that it does not skid off the 50-m radius level track. If the coefficient of static friction between the road and wheels is 0.80. What is the maximum speed? Assume that the gravitational constant is 10.0 N/kg =10.0...
  13. D

    Intermediate Physics Lab Analysis, Uncertainty and Linear Regression

    Homework Statement "You are asked to do an experiment where you will need to use a rotating blade to measure the wind speed. You measure the number of rotations of the blade at 10 different wind speeds, 10 times each and will make a linear fit to determine the wind speed as a function of...
  14. P

    Where is the Hottest Part of a Flame?

    Hypothesis: The hottest part of the flame can be found at x located just above the u un burn gas Aim: By placing a thermometer at different points on a non luminous flame to verify the hottest part of the flame.
  15. Q

    Perfect Physics Lab Report: A Student's Guide

    i am a A student in my university , and i just want to keep it that way can anyone give me an idea for reaching a perfect physics lab report and thank you
  16. K

    Physics lab work - calculating % errors

    I have a table of these 10 readings, 149.6 150.9 149.7 147.9 147.7 152.4 149.8 152.2 153.2 148.9 They were taken on an optical bench where the smallest unit of measurement was 1mm. I'm trying to calculate the +- error but I'm not sure how to. I've came across 3 methods so far...
  17. R

    Circular motion ap physics lab

    Homework Statement So i have to do a lab about circular motion we had to swing a rubber stopper around while holding a glass tube and when there was a mass hanging at the end of it "plot a graph so the slope of the straight line graph may be used to determine the mass of the stopper" we...
  18. A

    Refractive Index Lab: Sources of Error Using Optical Pins & Glass Prism

    what would be some sources of error in a lab to find the refractive index of a prism? This lab was done by use of optical pins and glass prism.
  19. F

    Suggestions for an advanced physics lab project

    Hello, I am currently trying to come up with an idea for a project for my advanced physics lab. I have thought to do supercooling/heating, superfluids, and perhaps a rail gun. I have access to a very nice high-speed camera, so I would hope to find an experiment that will utilize it (the rail...
  20. L

    How to Successfully Launch a Marble Through Two Hoops: A Projectile Physics Lab

    In my lab for physics we are given a ramp, some textbooks, and a marble. The objective of the lab is to make the marble go through two hoops (the hoops are about an inch and a half wide, the marble is about 3/4ths of an inch). Our teacher is going to give us either a specific distance from the...
  21. K

    Resources for Physics Lab Sessions

    Dear all, In this coming fall, I will be assigned Physics Lab as a teaching assistantship. Does anyone know a book or any other resource that can help me in mastering physics lab challenges. I need a book on measurements and instrumentation where i can find data manipulation techniques. Does...
  22. G

    Design Physics Experiment with Matches: Help Needed

    So I have to design any physics experiment using Box of Matches. Can anyone help me out ?
  23. G

    Grade 12 Physics Lab (Material = Box of Matches)

    This is Grade 12 Physics lab assigned to me : Bonus: Performing the lab+making a conclusion to answer the research question. I thought whole day but can't think of any research question with box of matches. Could anyone please help me out with this?
  24. Telemachus

    Help with Writing Spanish Physics Lab Reports in MikTex

    I want to use MikTex to do my physics laboratory informs. The thing is I have to write the informs in spanish, and I've found that I can't use the tilde on my work, which is really bad, because I can't write it orthographically as it must be done e.g. I can't write Dinámica, but I can write...
  25. V

    Help for Physics lab practical?

    Hey all, I'm trying to prepare for an upcoming Physics lab practical, but I'm having a hard time trying to figure this thing out. I'm not a Physics major, and I really don't have the "eye" that some other people have on what comes to Physics problems. I'm hoping that somebody could help me...
  26. C

    Physics lab, calculating/combining errors

    I just started the semester off in physics lab and I am so rusty. I did three perfectly okay by myself but these last three I can't seem to figure out. Any help on the direction to take with these is appreciated! c) T = 0.433 ± 0.004 s. Calculate T^2 andΔT^2. d) Given d = vt, v = 55...
  27. F

    Help with physics lab containing the centripetal acceleration law

    [b]1. The aim of the lab is to verify the centripetal acceleration law which states that acceleration is equal to the velocity squared divided by the radius. During the lab, we spun a string powered whirligig. There was a ball at the top, attached to string, the string was threaded through a...
  28. Gamma

    Should I Include a Lab on Measurement Instruments in My Physics Course?

    I am going to teach in a two year private college in September. Currently I am in the process of determining what laboratory experiments will the students do so that I can be prepared with the necessary laboratory equipments. My question is, how important is it to have a lab on measurement...
  29. D

    How Should You Analyze Data from a Cantilever Beam Experiment?

    1. Hey! i have done a physics lab on cantilevers, and what i did 1. Hey! i have done a physics lab on cantilevers, and what i did was i varied the length of the leaver while keeping the force applied constant and measured the displacement down of the leaver. However, i am not sure what to graph...
  30. J

    Offering Physics Lab Courses Online: Status, Methods, Pros, Cons

    Should undergraduate physics lab courses be available in an online ("Web-only") format? How? What are the Pros? Cons? Please discuss. If you teach physics, please also answer a very brief (7 questions, 5 minutes) research survey on your institution's use of online content for physics...
  31. M

    Intro Physics Lab Interferometry Question (Fabry-Perot vs. Michelson)

    Homework Statement The Michelson interferometer can be used to measure extremely small distance scales. What is the smallest distance scale that can be measured? What uncertainty is associated with this? What is the smallest scale that can be measured by the Fabry-Perot...
  32. D

    Scanning tunneling microscopes, physics lab

    This may be a bit of a silly question, but I'm wondering if it is feasible to design a freshman level lab experiment using a STM? For example, let's say the lab is simply intended to give the students a better appreciation of how a STM operates within the framework of quantum mechanics, with the...
  33. D

    Physics Lab Question - Where To Begin

    Homework Statement In class, we conducted a lab experiment in which we placed an object on the end of a piece of wood and lifted the same end of the wood until the object slid down to the bottom. We measured the height the wood was lifted to. (to assist in calculating Coefficient of Friction...
  34. T

    Physics Lab Homework Statement: Calculating G Using Equations | AP Central

    Homework Statement http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap05_phys_laboneerror_47485.pdf The above link is an updated version of the lab that I'm currently typing up. I have already gathered all data necessary: Time taken to travel 50 meters: @ 1.089 degree downward...
  35. M

    Physics Lab question velocity/Δt simple

    Homework Statement Hi all. I did a lab in physics and am struggling with a question. The lab involved dropping an object that had clear and black bands on it through a photogate to determine velocity and time. The question I'm struggling with is... Looking at the RAW DATA, you should...
  36. G

    Calculating Distribution Functions for Four Coin Toss Experiment

    Homework Statement For this exercise, four coins are tossed 32 times and the number of heads are recorded for each toss. Each toss falls into one of the following macroscopic states; 0 heads, 1 heads, 2 heads, 3 heads and 4 heads. Suppose the 32 tosses result in the following outcome...
  37. J

    How Does Art Enhance Public Understanding of Science at CERN?

    Hi Everyone, I am an American mural artist currently working on public project at CERN in Geneva. I am painting a mural that will portray the ATLAS detector. Here is the website with several proposals for the project. http://atlasmural.wordpress.com/2009/ I am traveling to Geneva next...
  38. D

    A job in a physics lab versus an official REU?

    Hello, I currently "work" on one of my physics professor's lab projects, basically I do some coding and make pretty graphs for him. Its not really physics, but as a sophomore I don't know enough physics to really be useful and I question any REU that claims to provide any more meaningful a job...
  39. F

    Bungee Jumper Physics Lab Question

    Homework Statement Hi, So I have a final lab in my college physics class. And the lab procedure is as follows: Note: The measured mass of the Bungee jumper is 0.25837 kilograms (258.37 grams). I have attached my data as an Excel file: . My question is, what formula does k follow (it is most...
  40. R

    Physics Lab Project: Design and Build an Electric DC Motor

    Homework Statement Hey, For one of our final lab projects, we have to (less design and more build) an electric DC motor on a 6V DC battery. Restrictions/Requirements: No plastic parts can be used The motor must run for at least 60 seconds No simple motors allowed "not-simple" means, it must...
  41. C

    How Can You Prove the Efficiency of a Vibrating Spring in a Lab?

    Homework Statement I know the answer to this question but I just need to know how I can prove this in a laboratory fashion... Here is the question: Why doe s a spring continue to vibrate and eventually come to rest when stretched and then released?? It has something to do with calculating...
  42. M

    Physics Lab - Measurement of Absolute Zero?

    This problem seems straightforward and easy enough, but I still want to check my answers. Suppose the pressure of the bulb (light bulb I'm guessing used in experiment) is 20 psi (absolute) at 20C. What would you predict the pressure to be at 0C? What would you predict would be at 100C? I...
  43. M

    Physics Lab - Mechanical equivalent of heat

    1.) Using the table provided what is the change in thermistor resistance if temperature rises from 21 C to 30C? The ohm values for resistance are 120810 for 21C and 79,422 for 30C. I just subtracted the two numbers and got -41,388 ohm. I hope that's right! 2.) This lab involves a spool...
  44. L

    Find G: Physics Lab Experiment w/ 50 g Masses & Stop-Clock

    1. I have a to do a lab this week myself, it's not an exam more of assessing if I can do it or not. Here's what I have; 1. a set of six calibrated 50 g masses, 2. a stand with scale graduated in cm, 3. a spring with attached holder for calibrated masses, 4. a stop-clock. I have to find G, the...
  45. A

    Particle physics lab: techniques

    Hi all, I'm measuring multiple coulomb scattering by using 4 chambers filled with He gas, and lead plates between the top 2 chambers and bottom two. The chambers have a potential difference across the plates so when the muons ionize the He gas, a spark is produced. A camera marks the pixels...
  46. U

    Newtonian Physics Lab- Uncertainty and Angular Momentum

    Before I begin, let me say this is my first time on this forum, and am terribly sorry if I screw something up here. Let me also say that my physics lab is ahead of my physics class, so my knowledge on angular momentum is lacking. Also, this lab is due tomorrow. I know it's short notice, but I...
  47. O

    Normal distribution (Physics Lab)

    Homework Statement I was asked to plot a distribution curve, but before that we had to deal with working means instead of a real mean. So the problem is :is it ok to plot a normal curve based on the standard deviation from the working mean? We were asked to compare our results with antoher...
  48. M

    DIFFRACTION PROBLEM (physics lab)

    One of my prelab problems for physics 3: The Moon is about 4*10^8 m from the Earth and has a diameter of about 3.2*10^6 m. You want a radar antenna which just covers the Moon with the central spot of its diffraction pattern. If the radar wavelength is 10 cm, what is the diameter of the radar...
  49. P

    Physics lab help, determining acceleration thru V vs T graph?

    Physics lab help, determining acceleration thru V vs T graph?? the point was to determine the acceleration due to gravity. It was this whole experiment with a ribbon tied to a brass weight. it was put into a machine and youd drop the brass weight and the machine would mark dots on it to show...
  50. T

    Solving Problems With a TI-89 Titanium for Physics Lab

    I know i have a calculator that is way more advanced that what my class needs and that is my problem.. everyone is using a ti-84 plus or something and I am using a ti-89 titanium... but any ways during a physics lab the class did a simple graph using their ti-84's and as i am trying to convert...
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