Wilson J.D., Hernández-Hall C.A. Physics Laboratory Experiments

8th Edition. – Cengage Learning, College Park, USA, 2014. – 269 p. – ISBN: 128573856XAn added feature to the eighth edition of Physics Laboratory Experiments is a set of pre-lab demonstrations. The purpose of these demonstrations is to “break the ice,” so to speak. Students often come to the laboratory unenthuastic. If something attention-getting (a demo) is presented initially that is related to the lab experiment, or some other physics principle that has been studied in class, interest is aroused. This being done, the instructor can lead into the current lab experiment.
A list of the demonstrations follows. They are instructive and economical, usually done with available materials and items. In some demonstrations, students can participate, adding to the attention-getting.
Table of Contents (Experiments)
The Scientific Method and Thought.
Experimental Uncertainty (Error) and Data Analysis.
Measurement Instruments (Mass, Volume, and Density).
(GL) Simple Pendulum Parameters [Angle, Mass, Length, and Damping].
(GL) Uniformly Accelerated Motion: Measurement of g.
The Addition and Resolution of Vectors: The Force Table.
(GL) Newton's Second Law: The Atwood Machine.
Conservation of Linear Momentum.
(GL) Projectile Motion: The Ballistic Pendulum.
Centripetal Force.
Friction.
(GL) Work and Energy.
Potential Energy of a Spring.
Torques, Equilibrium, and Center of Gravity.
(GL) Simple Machines: Mechanical Advantage.
Simple Harmonic Motion.
Standing Waves in a String.
Temperature and Thermometer Calibration.
The Thermal Coefficient of Linear Expansion.
Specific Heats of Metals.
Archimedes' Principle: Buoyancy and Density.
Fields and Equipotentials.
Ohm's Law.
The Measurement of Resistance: Ammeter-Voltmeter Method and Wheatstone Bridge Method.
The Temperature Dependence of Resistance.
Resistances in Series and Parallel.
Joule Heat.
The RC Time Constant (Manual Timing).
The RC Time Constant (Electric Timing).
Reflection and Refraction.
Spherical Mirrors and Lenses.
Polarized Light.
The Prism Spectrometer: Dispersion and Index of Refraction.
Line Spectra and Rydberg Constant.
The Transmission Grating: Measuring the Wavelength of Light.
Detection of Nuclear Radiation: The Geiger Counter.
Radioactive Half-Life.
The Absorption of Nuclear Radiation.[ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH CUSTOM]
(TI/CI) Rotational Motion and Moment of Inertia.
Conservation of Angular Momentum and Energy: The Ballistic Pendulum.
Elasticity: Young's Modulus.
Air Column Resonance: The Speed of Sound in Air.
(TI) Latent Heats: Heats of Fusion and Vaporization of Water; CI) Latent Heat of Fusion for Water.
Newton's Law of Cooling: The Time Constant of a Thermometer.
The Potentiometer: EMF and Terminal Voltage.
The Voltmeter and Ammeter.
Resistivity.
Multiloop Circuits: Kirchhoff's Rules.
The Earth's Magnetic Field.
Introduction to the Oscilloscope.
(TI/CI) Phase Measurements and Resonance in ac Circuits.
(TI/CI) Electromagnetic Induction.
The Mass of an Electron: e/m Measurement.