Laboratory Physics III

1. Perform experiments to illustrate the optical behavior of lenses.
2. Describe commonly used optical lab equipment.
3. Perform basic measurements and recognize associated limitations.
4. Verify mathematical models through data collection and analysis.
5. Maintain an adequate lab notebook.
6. Experience the process of troubleshooting experiments.

13 weeks, about 56 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Optics Experiments

   • Experiment 1: Determination of Magnification Produced by a Convex Lens · 4 hours

     Perform experiment to determine magnification produced by a convex lens.. Vary the distance of the image from the lens and record measurements.. Graphically determine the focal length of the lens..

2. Week 2Module 1: Optics Experiments

   • Experiment 2: Determination of the Focal Length of a Concave Lens using a Concave Mirror · 4 hours

     Set up the experiment using a concave lens and a concave mirror.. Measure the distances required to determine the focal length.. Calculate the focal length of the concave lens..

3. Week 3Module 1: Optics Experiments

   • Experiment 3: Determination of the Focal Length of a Concave Lens using a Convex Lens · 4 hours

     Set up the experiment using a concave lens and a convex lens.. Measure the distances required to determine the focal length.. Calculate the focal length of the concave lens..

4. Week 4Module 2: Electrical Measurements

   • Experiment 4: Measurement of D.C. Voltages · 4 hours

     Learn how to use a cathode ray oscilloscope (CRO) to measure D.C. voltages.. Apply different D.C. voltages and measure the corresponding deflections on the CRO screen.. Plot a graph of deflection against applied voltage and calculate the slope..

5. Week 5Module 2: Electrical Measurements

   • Experiment 5: Measurement of the Thickness of Paper or Tinfoil by Means of Interference Fringes in an Air Wedge · 4 hours

     Set up the air wedge using a glass block, microscope slide, and paper or tinfoil.. Shine monochromatic light onto the air wedge and observe the interference fringes.. Measure the fringe separation and calculate the thickness of the paper or tinfoil..

6. Week 6Module 2: Electrical Measurements

   • Experiment 6: Boys' Method for the Radii of Curvature of the Surfaces of a Convex Lens and hence the Refractive Index of the Lens · 4 hours

     Use Boys' method to determine the radii of curvature of the surfaces of a convex lens.. Calculate the refractive index of the lens using the measured radii of curvature.. Understand the principles behind Boys' method and its applications..

7. Week 7Module 3: Semiconductor Devices

   • Experiment 7: Determination of the Refractive Index of a Glass and Liquid by Real and Apparent Depth Method using a Travelling Microscope · 4 hours

     Use a travelling microscope to measure the real and apparent depths of a glass and liquid.. Calculate the refractive index of the glass and liquid using the measured depths.. Understand the concept of refractive index and its determination using real and apparent depth method..

8. Week 8Module 3: Semiconductor Devices

   • Experiment 8: Determination of the Characteristic of a Junction Diode · 4 hours

     Connect the junction diode to the circuit.. Measure the current and voltage for both forward and reverse bias.. Plot the characteristic curve of the junction diode..

9. Week 9Module 3: Semiconductor Devices

   • Experiment 9: Measurement of A.C. Voltages · 4 hours

     Learn how to use a cathode ray oscilloscope (CRO) to measure A.C. voltages.. Apply different A.C. voltages and measure the corresponding deflections on the CRO screen.. Plot a graph of deflection against applied voltage and calculate the deflection sensitivity..

10. Week 10Module 4: Resonance Circuits and Transistors

    • Experiment 10: Demonstration of the Action of a Junction Diode as a Half-Wave Rectifier and a Full-Wave Rectifier · 4 hours

      Set up the circuit for half-wave rectification using a junction diode.. Observe the output waveform on a CRO and measure the D.C. current.. Set up the circuit for full-wave rectification using four junction diodes.. Observe the output waveform on a CRO and measure the D.C. current..

11. Week 11Module 4: Resonance Circuits and Transistors

    • Experiment 11: Investigation of the Properties of a Series Resonance Circuit · 4 hours

      Connect the components in series.. Vary the frequency of the signal generator and measure the current and voltage across the capacitor and inductor.. Plot the graphs of current, voltage across capacitor, voltage across inductor, voltage across L and C in series, and impedance against frequency.. Determine the resonant frequency..

12. Week 12Module 4: Resonance Circuits and Transistors

    • Experiment 12: Investigation of the Properties of a Parallel Resonance Circuit · 4 hours

      Connect the components in parallel.. Vary the frequency of the signal generator and measure the current in the circuit.. Plot the graph of current against frequency.. Determine the resonant frequency..

13. Week 13Module 4: Resonance Circuits and Transistors

    • Experiment 13: Determination of the Characteristics of an npn Transistor in a Common-emitter Configuration · 4 hours

      Connect the npn transistor in a common-emitter configuration.. Measure the collector current for different values of base current and collector-emitter voltage.. Plot the collector characteristics and transfer characteristics.. Calculate the current gain of the transistor..

    • Experiment 14: Determination of the Characteristics of an Operational Amplifier (OP-AMP) by Measuring the Voltage Gains and Bandwidths · 4 hours

      Set up the circuit for measuring the voltage gains and bandwidths of an operational amplifier.. Measure the input and output voltages for different frequencies.. Plot the graph of voltage gain against frequency.. Estimate the gain and bandwidth of the operational amplifier..