Teaching Facilities
Library
The UA Department of Physics has its own library of physics reference material
and periodicals of general interest to faculty and students alike. The
space also includes Macintosh and IBM compatible computers which can be
used to help complete assignments. Students often use the large collection
of physics text books to supplement lectures and their own books.
Multimedia Resource Center
The resources available in this room include a color, flatbed scanner,
TV/Video equipment, and several high capacity PC's and Powerstations. Several
software packages are used to create learning modules that exploit the
benefits of multimedia education.
Computer Lab
This is the main computer facility of the department. Currently, there
are 8 PCs available (Pentium III, 1GHz, 512MB RAM, CD ROM Drive, ZIP Drive,
Soundcard w/ speakers, 17" monitor). Six run Windows NT 4.0, and two run Linux. They are connected
to the departments main server.
The software packages installed on these computers include:
-
Maple V Release 5
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MatLab 6.0
Multimedia Lab
This room is currently used to present interactive multimedia modules for
the Descriptive Astronomy course. Six 486 DX2-66 machines with CD ROM and
sound capabilities are controlled by PS-100 acting as server. The media
used in this lab comes from both commercial packages and packages developed
in our own multimedia resource center.
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Sound, Light, and Astronomy Lab
This laboratory is designed to supplement the general physics courses which
include Music, Sound, and Physics; Physics of Light; and Descriptive Astronomy.
These courses are designed for the non-science oriented students and cover
the following areas;
Astronomy Lab
1. Use of an Astronomical Cross-Staff Week 1-3
2. Use of an Astronomical Quadrant Week 4-5
3. Motion of the Celestial Sphere Week 6-9
4. The Measurement of Parallax Week 10-11
5. Function of a lens Week 12-13
6. Using a Telescope
Physics of Light Lab
1. Plane Mirrors
2. Curved Mirrors
3. Referaction
4. Internal Reflection
5. Lenses
6. The Eye And Other Optical Instruments
7. Color
8. Vectors, Waves and Polorization
Music, Sound and Physics
Qualitative introduction to the physics of sound, its properties, perception
and repro- duction, including acoustical principles of musical instruments.
Physics for Life Sciences Lab
This laboratory has 6 stations accommodating 12-18 students. Modern equipment
is available, including various probes interfaced to computers. Some experiments
are based on making important observations and conclusions by exploring
physics with common tools and materials. Experiments for the 261 course
include the following: kinematics (distance, velocity, acceleration), effect
of forces on motion, impulse/momentum, energy studies, and experimental
problems that require students to synthesize a solution using what they
have already learned. The 262 course includes the following activities:
locating images, lenses and optical instruments, water waves, diffraction
of light, polarization of light, current and potential difference using
batteries and bulbs, magnetism, and magnetic induction.
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Elementary Classical Physics Lab
this lab is designed to provide an introduction to physics for students
in science and engineering. Topics covered include :
1. Classical statics
2. Kinematics and dynamics
3. Oscillations and waves
4. Fluid mechanics
5. Thermodynamics
6. Basic laws of electromagnetism
7. Mechanical and electromagnetic waves
8. Interference and diffraction
9. Coherence
10. Geometrical and physical optics.
Intermediate Physics Lab
This lab is designed to offer students an exposure to many of the current
methods, techniques, and instruments widely used in a modern physics laboratory,
and is offered in the fall and spring. One of the goals of the course is
for the students to learn how to predict, modify, and respond to experimental
situations by fostering a hands-on approach. A broad range of experiments,
primarily concerning electronic and optical phenomena, are performed. For
example, the first semester is concerned primarily with optical phenomena
such as interference, diffraction, and holography. In the second semester
experiments to determine the charge on the electron, characteristics of
semiconductor devices such as diodes, transistors, and op-amps are performed.
Experiments on high temperature superconductivity are also performed, and
are favorites of the students. The experiments naturally complement two
other course offered in the department, namely Modern Physics (3650:301),
and Optics (3560:320), and we encourage students to take this lab concurrently
with these courses in their junior year if possible. For a partial list
of the experiments performed please peruse the syllabus.
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Electronics Lab
The topics addressed in lab are :
1. Use of oscilloscopes
2. Semiconductors
3. Operational Amplifiers
4. Filters
5. Decibels
6. Bipolar Transistors
7. Operational Amplifier Circuits
8. R-C Filters
9. Feedback
10.Basic Digital Concepts
11. Basic Digital Circuits
Advanced Physics Lab
The primary goals of Advanced Lab are to introduce you to the instrumentation
and techniques of experimental physics at an advanced level and to provide
experiences that
will be helpful when seeking employment. A major objective is for you
to learn to apply the concepts and principles of physics that you have
learnedin our lecture courses. Other objectives are; (a) to plan and design
an experimental investigation; (b) to write a well organized report of
your investigations; (c) to learn strategies for solving practical problems,
and (d) to develop skills in instrumentation and computer interfacing.
Additional techniques you will learn during the year are: (a) the use a
computer-controlled data acquisition boards, (b) the fundamentals of vacuum
technology, (c) how to use the following computer software: Maple V, Mathcad,
Microsoft Excel, Surfer, and Matlab.
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