1. Introduction to First Year Lab B. Sauer Please collect copies of:- Introduction to the First Year Laboratory First Year Laboratory Timetable Plagiarism (Use of Other People’s Work) Keeping a Notebook Read the lab introduction while you wait.

2. The aims and objectives of the laboratory Organisation of the laboratory Safety Keeping a Lab Book Assessment Talk Outline

3. What is experimental physics? What do experimental physicists do? What is physics?

4. What is Physics? Mathematics Natural world Model Data Collection Data Analysis Theory Apparatus ElectronicsComputingExperimental Physics

5. The work is only of value if it has been carried out properly such that the results are:- accurate/reliable - i.e. correct techniques reproducible - i.e. no unknown variables convincing - i.e. procedures accurately documented, data correctly analysed, and results published appropriately. This can only be achieved by good laboratory practice - by being professional.

6. Objectives [a] You will acquire specific skills, e.g. learning about electronics, setting up optics, computing techniques. [b] You will acquire general skills, e.g. keeping records, assessing uncertainties, analysing data, writing reports. [c] Deeper issues, e.g. working together, organising your time, becoming a professional. [d] You will learn some new physics!

7. Organisation Laboratory Personnel Level 4 Office: Harish Dawda, Robert Whisker Computer Suite: Martin Morris Heads of Experiment Mike Damzen – Optics Steve Schwartz - Electronics Derek Lee – Computing Ben Sauer - Demonstration Measurement & Errors Richard Thompson Head of Laboratory Ben Sauer Deputy Head Mike Damzen 48 Demonstrators 260 Students 4000 Marks

8. Opt./Elec.DemonstrationComputing First Term Second Term Third Term Lab work at other times permitted, by arrangement with Harish/Robert 260 Students | | | | | | Monday 14.00 - 17.00 Thursdays 09.00 - 12.00 Tuesday 09.00 - 12.00 Fridays 14.00 - 17.00 a b c x y z O/E D C D C C D C D D C D C | | | | Short Experiments | Projects Open Days | Introductory Sessions

9. Introductory sessions You will be allocated to an introductory group –1, 2... 8 –1×3 hour session in computing suite (measurements and errors) –1×3 hour session in optics lab –1×3 hour session in electronics lab Learn basic lab skills. No assessment! 2: Measurements 3: Optics 4: Electronics

10. Timetable Monday/Tuesday- groups A, B, CThursday/Friday- groups X, Y, Z Oct. 27, 28; Nov. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 R1: Nov. 18; R2: Nov. 25; R3: Dec. 9 Cycle 1 Oct. 30, 31; Nov. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 R1: Nov. 21; R2: Nov. 28; R3: Dec. 12 Group A: Electronics/Optics Group B: Demonstration Experiments Group C: Computing Group X: Electronics/Optics Group Y: Demonstration Experiments Group Z: Computing

11. Demonstrators Demonstrators are there to help you. This is their main job. If you have a problem with the script or the apparatus or computer, or your results, ASK FOR HELP - any demonstrator will do. You will have one demonstrator specifically assigned to you. He/she will check your lab book to make sure you are keeping the right sort of notes, and will also assess your work and mark your report.

12. The PC cluster on level 3 is used for the Computing ‘experiment’. In addition there are some stand-alone PCs in the laboratory for graph plotting and data analysis. You will all have been introduced to the PC cluster by the time the laboratory starts. Martin Morris manages the cluster and would welcome any feedback on the system. There are very strict rules on the misuse of computers which you should not take lightly. Computing

13. In the laboratory you will need:- 1. The laboratory timetable 2. Your handouts, “Introduction to First Year Laboratory”, “Measurement & Errors Summary”, “Notebook Guidelines”, “Plagiarism Guidelines” 3. Calculator 4. A sturdy laboratory notebook. A ‘pad’ of paper is not acceptable! 5. The experiment script 6. A partner for the optics - allocated at the start

15. Why keep a lab book?  You are required to by first year lab! Part of your mark comes from inspection of the lab book.  Real experiments can take months or years to complete. You will never remember all the critical details.  In industrial and academic research considerable prestige and money can be involved in who did what and when. For this reason lab books are legal documents of record.  Research projects are often carried out in large teams. You need a permanent record of work done, experimental details, operating procedures etc need to be available, and, most critically, be understandable to other people.

16. What should a lab book be? A lab book should be a real time record of what you do in the lab as it happens. It should be:  CompleteEverything goes in, including the mistakes.  ToughNo loose papers, graphs etc. Securely glue or staple things in.  ClearThe lab book doesn’t have to be pretty, but it must be legible.  TrueRecord of what you see and do. Don’t embellish it, don’t draw plots of raw data the way you think they should look, draw them as they are.

17. Lab book organization  For a given experiment your lab book should be structured in roughly the following way. Different experiments will come out slightly differently  Heading / Title.  Definitive data.  Date and time of start.  Data analysis + errors.  Aims.  Comparisons + conclusions.  Background.  Summary.  Description of set up.  Closure.  Initial set up and preliminary data.  Review.

18. Neatness vs. speed If you spend too long keeping a “perfect” lab book you will not have any time to do the experiment! Get the balance between experiment and record keeping right.

19. Computing lab books Much of the “to do” list above for practical experiments also holds for the computing lab. You should still keep a good lab record and note things like the nature of the problem you are trying to solve and the methods used by subroutines. Some of the detail will be included in program comments. Listings, print outs etc should be securely attached to your lab book. Document your programs carefully!

20. Assessment [a] General Assessment Relates to how well you are working in the laboratory. Your demonstrators award the mark in consultation with the Head of Experiment. Mark is multiplied by your fractional attendance. If you have to be away for any reason, see either Dr. Ray Murray or myself. Illness requires either a Doctor’s note (>2 consecutive sessions) or a ‘self certification’ form given to the lab office, or Dr. Murray or myself. Try to give a meaningful description of the reason for your absence. [b] Report Assessment I will cover this later in term – presentation in LT1

21. Computing

23. Optics/Electronics, Demonstration

24. Assessment Grades You will receive a percentage grade. These correspond to the following degree categories:- >70%First class 60-70%Upper second 50-60%Lower second 40-50%Third class <40% Failure of laboratory All marks count towards your degree and, as such, the normal (tough) rules on cheating apply.

25. Information Sources –Introduction to First Year Laboratory –How to Keep a Laboratory Notebook –Guidelines on Report Writing (week 6) –Use of other peoples’ work in assessed essays, summaries and lab reports. –Measurement & Errors Summary –Timetable –Notice Boards –lab website: /physics  intranet  undergraduate  labs  first year lab –Presentations in LT1

26. Introductory sessions start next week Check your schedule Bring a lab book!

28. Assessment All degrees except MSci. + YIE

29. Assessment All degrees except MSci. + YIE BSc. + Theory BSc. + Music Msci. + Theory

30. Assessment MSci. + YIE only