Resistors and Ohm's Law

                For our second lab session, we experimented on resistors.  This session was fun because we were able to use new instruments again! I was amazed with how the resistance box works as well as the rheostat.  Our group proceeded with the objectives in hand for the whole three hours of our lab.

          

          Our group was able to finish the objectives in time. We learned about the different types and structures of resistors.  We were able to measure resistances of resistors, resistance box, rheostat, variable resistor. Lastly, we were able to understand and determine the relationships between voltage, current and resistance in ohmic and non-ohmic conductors.

                

                I had a great time and it was really fun doing the experiments. Now we have to finish our technical paper and submit it on time. I’m hoping for more fun experiments!

Electric Potential and Electric Field

           This is my first lab session as a second year student.  For our lab session, we briefly tackled about electric potential and electric fields.  Then we had an experiment concerning the two topics.  The experiment was actually exciting due to the fact that we are using new instruments or devices, and they are cooler than instruments used during our 101.1 last semester.

          Our group (2) was able to finish the objectives of the experiment.  We were able to track equipotential points and at the end, we were able to sketch the equipotential lines.  We did not have any trouble during the experiment but it was really time consuming.  It takes patience to look for points with equal potential especially when you have to have at least 7 equipotential lines. Those are consist of so many points!

          

           Nevertheless, we were able to finish everything.  Now the only thing left to do is to submit our technical report about it.  I'm hoping for more fun physics experiments! ^_^

Center of Mass of Objects

          For this Lab session, we had an experiment about the center of mass of objects.  We were given a meter stick which we used as a beam in a set-up.  The objective of the experiment is to use the balance beam to know the theoretical and experimental weight of a certain object, then we use the center of mass formula to find the mass of the beam used, which was the meter stick.  After we found the theoretical mass of the meter stick, we computed for the percent deviation of error for the mass we acquired experimentally.

          Then we also determined the mass of a certain object, which we used an external drive from Martin's bag.  We were able to experimentally and theoretically acquire the mass of the object.  Then we also had to test the validity of using Center of Mass to determine the mass of regular and irregular objects.

           Overall, our experiment was a success. We were able to acquire the data we need to gather for our technical report and we were able to prove the validity of the center if mass formula for finding the mass of regular or irregular objects.

          "Balance" is really an interesting phenomenon where everything is at equilibrium.  It is important for our daily lives to actually know why something "balanced" does exist.  On this experiment, we were able to answer why systems achieves equilibrium or static equilibrium.

           Now, we should just do our technical paper and we are good to go for another fun experiment!

          Looking forward for more physics fun!

The Different forms of Oscillation

After we have submitted our technical report for the Projectile Motion experiment, we were given another experiment which were consist of 3 different experimental parts. The experiments are to test the harmonic oscillation of an object or a particle. This experiment was kind of difficult for our group because we were the ones to design a set-up to achieve the experimental objectives. Another thing is that, the ways or techniques to be used for finding the periods of oscillations tends to acquire too much human error which makes it difficult to achieve experimental results with low percent error deviation. 

First, let me give you a background of what oscillation is. Oscillation is the repetitive variation, typically in time, of some measure about a central value (often a point of equilibrium) or between two or more different states. Familiar examples include a swinging pendulum and AC power. The term vibration is sometimes used more narrowly to mean a mechanical oscillation but sometimes is used to be synonymous with "oscillation". Oscillations occur not only in physical systems but also in biological systems and in human society. 

The three variations of oscillation experimented were from three different set-ups as well. The set-ups were; a spring mass system, a simple pendulum, and a physical pendulum. The overall experiment was successful. We got the needed values and data for the period of each set-up. The only thing is, during the process of the experiment, there were times when we were too noisy with stuff due to the materials used like the weights which keeps on falling. Nevertheless, we were able to finish the 3 experiments. 

Looking forward to more fun experiments and Laboratory activities! :)

Projectile Motion

          This lab session was really fun.  We were given objectives for the whole session on Projectile motion.  We used many lab instruments for this lab activity, one of which is the awesome projectile gun!  Our group objective was to compute for the initial velocity of the bullet launched from the projectile gun.  Our group had so many mistakes during the activity.  It was really fun actually.  We always laugh at our mistakes, like for example, when we were measuring the ymax of the bullet, we got a result which we did not expect at all, making us think what we did wrong.  The funny part was we always repeat the process of acquiring the ymax and we keep on getting the same unexpected result until we found out that we were using the wrong angle and we used erasers just to lift the projectile gun with a proper angle. 

         

          We were successful in computing the right initial velocity.  Another exciting part was when we tried our data for precision target shooting and we were right! We got the correct angle and we hit the highest point which was 5. Unfortunately for the second try, we only got 3 points due to our error, which was kinda funny.  We forgot to check if the projectile gun was aligned at the target.  Nevertheless, we had fun and we were satisfied with the results of our lab activity. :)

Looking forward to more fun and exciting physics activities!

Scatter Plot ( Graphical Analysis)

Here's the continuation of my previous post.  We used two instruments to actually have a graphical analysis of our activity, the free-fall motion.

First is the result of our ball in free-fall motion using an instrument called Lab Quest with attached sensor.
I have made 3 sets of graph:

For the three graphs, I included it's polynomial trend line to know some useful information like the equation of the motion and the trend of the motion as well.

From the graph, Velocity vs. Time, we could conclude that the ball reaches it's maximum height between 2 to 3 seconds of actual motion. It is when Velocity is 0. The Position vs. Time graph would support this conclusion through seeing that the trendline is at it's highest during the 2-3 second interval.

Another activity is monitoring the free-fall motion using a Lab quest attached with a photogate.
I have made 3 sets of graph:

For the three graphs, I included it's polynomial trend line to know some useful information like the equation of the motion and the trend of the motion as well.

We could conlude from the graph that the distance is exponentially increasing due to the trend of the polynomial trendline and that the acceleration of the object during free fall is on a parabolic manner.

The extra lines that we see on the graph are what we call Error Bars with Standard Deviation.  The standard deviation is set to 0.1 for every graph.

The equations for the motion are also shown in every graph.

This is the last set for our activity on graphical analysis.  I'll post more of our activities.

PHYSICS ROCKS! - shadow3

Graphical Analysis

In discussing graphical analysis, our lab instructor explained the difference between the pie, bar and scatter graph.  We also had an activity where we could use the data in making a scatter graph.

For my example of a BAR GRAPH, I have acquired data on the World Population Growth from year 1 up to year 2011. Here it is:

For my example of a PIE CHART, I have showed my time allotment for a normal week end. Here it is,

Those are just the 2 types of graphs that we have discussed.  For my next post, I will show you the scatter graph analysis of our activity.  The posting of the scatter graph would be delayed due to certain problem with sending data with my groupmates :))

Hoping for more fun activities!