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Course Offerings

Course Details

Spring 2009-2010
PHY 312 (ST)   No Pass/D/Fail

Experimental Physics

Michael V. Romalis

Students work in small groups and perform four experiments and an electronics lab. The list of experiments to choose from includes muon decay, beta decay, optical pumping, Moosbauer effect, holography, positron annihilation, electron diffraction, single photon interference, Sagnac effect, bacterial motion, NMR, Coulomb law, and photoelectric effect. Weekly lectures will provide an overview of various experimental techniques and data analysis.

Sample reading list:
A. C. Melissinos and J. Napolieano, Experiments in Modern Physics
R. A. Dunlap, Experimental Physics
Bevington, Error Analysis for the Physical Sciences
Taylor, An Introduction to Error Analysis

Reading/Writing assignments:
The labs are self-paced; students get keys to the rooms and, after receiving instructions from a TA, can work on their own schedule. Lab reports are due at the end of the two week period for each experiment and focus on development of experimental research skills. There will be an oral midterm exam and a written final exam.

Requirements/Grading:
Mid Term Exam - 15%
Take Home Final Exam - 20%
Lab Reports - 65%

Other Requirements:
Course is required for concentrators
Open to Juniors and Seniors Only.

Prerequisites and Restrictions:
PHY 103/104 or equivalent; PHY 208 or equivalent. Not recommended for sophomores..

Other information:
Shop class may be taken instead of one of the labs. It meets two times a week. MW or TTh from 1:30 to 4:30pm for three weeks.

Website:  http://www.princeton.edu/~romalis/PHYS312

Schedule/Classroom assignment:

Class numberSectionTimeDaysRoomEnrollmentStatus
41306 L01 12:30 pm - 1:20 pm T   Jadwin Hall   111   Enrolled:25 Limit:40
41304 B01 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm M W        Enrolled:4 Limit:40
45660 B02 1:30 pm - 4:20 pm T Th        Enrolled:21 Limit:40