Practical Physics

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Paperback | 20 November 2001 | Edition Number 4

At a Glance

Paperback
228 Pages

Edition Type
Revised

Dimensions(cm)
24.61 x 18.9 x 1.22

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Practical Physics demonstrates the purposive and critical approach that should be made to all experimental work in physics. It does not describe a systematic course of experiments, but is intended as a companion to any undergraduate course of practical work. The text is in three parts. The first deals with the statistical treatment of data, the second with experimental methods, and the third with such essential matters as keeping efficient records, accuracy in calculations, and scientific writing. The text is liberally illustrated with examples and exercises, with solutions to the latter. The new edition includes a treatment of the Ï2 distribution, a section on atomic clocks, worked examples based on spreadsheets, and additional exercises. Existing examples and references have been brought up to date. Although intended for undergraduates, Practical Physics has proved of interest to school-students, teachers, and researchers, not only in physics, but also in other branches of science.

Industry Reviews

'Dr Squires has made a very worthwhile contribution to the surprisingly small number of modern textbooks available on this subject.' New Scientist 'I envy Squire's students! All other students should wish to own this book for the wealth of advice it gives them ...'. Contemporary Physics 'This is a quite invaluable book for those at, or nearing, undergraduate level.' The Times Educational Supplement '... a distillation of the wisdom acquired through many years of undergraduate teaching and will surely establish itself as an integral feature of physics courses and associated teaching laboratories all over the world.' British Book News

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Non-Fiction Science Science in General Scientific Equipment Physics Materials & States of Matter

Preface to the fourth edition	p. ix
Preface to the first edition	p. x
The object of practical physics	p. 1
Statistical Treatment of Data
Introduction to errors	p. 5
The importance of estimating errors	p. 5
Systematic and random errors	p. 6
Systematic errors	p. 8
Treatment of a single variable	p. 9
Introduction	p. 9
Set of measurements	p. 10
Distribution of measurements	p. 10
Estimation of [sigma] and [sigma subscript m]	p. 14
The Gaussian distribution	p. 18
The integral function	p. 19
The error in the error	p. 22
Discussion of the Gaussian distribution	p. 22
Summary of symbols, nomenclature, and important formulae	p. 24
Exercises	p. 26
Further topics in statistical theory	p. 27
The treatment of functions	p. 27
The straight line--method of least squares	p. 30
The straight line--points in pairs	p. 36
Weighting of results	p. 37
Summary of equations for the best straight line by the method of least squares	p. 39
Exercises	p. 41
Common sense in errors	p. 43
Error calculations in practice	p. 43
Complicated functions	p. 46
Errors and experimental procedure	p. 48
Summary of treatment of errors	p. 50
Exercises	p. 51
Experimental Methods
Some laboratory instruments and methods	p. 55
Introduction	p. 55
Metre rule	p. 55
Micrometer screw gauge	p. 57
Measurement of length--choice of method	p. 58
Measurement of length--temperature effect	p. 61
The beat method of measuring frequency	p. 62
Negative feedback amplifier	p. 64
Servo systems	p. 67
Natural limits of measurement	p. 69
Exercises	p. 71
Some experimental techniques	p. 73
Rayleigh refractometer	p. 73
Measurement of resistivity	p. 79
Absolute measurement of the acceleration due to the Earth's gravity	p. 86
Measurement of frequency and time	p. 94
The Global Positioning System	p. 98
Exercises	p. 101
Experimental logic	p. 102
Introduction	p. 102
Apparent symmetry in apparatus	p. 102
Sequence of measurements	p. 103
Intentional and unintentional changes	p. 104
Drift	p. 105
Systematic variations	p. 106
Calculated and empirical corrections	p. 109
Relative methods	p. 111
Null methods	p. 113
Why make precise measurements?	p. 114
Common sense in experiments	p. 117
Preliminary experiment	p. 117
Checking the obvious	p. 118
Personal errors	p. 119
Repetition of measurements	p. 119
Working out results	p. 121
Design of apparatus	p. 122
Record and Calculations
Record of the experiment	p. 125
Introduction	p. 125
Bound notebook versus loose-leaf	p. 125
Recording measurements	p. 126
Down with copying	p. 126
Diagrams	p. 127
Tables	p. 129
Aids to clarity	p. 130
Some common faults--ambiguity and vagueness	p. 131
Graphs	p. 133
The use of graphs	p. 133
Choice of ruling	p. 137
Scale	p. 137
Units	p. 138
Some hints on drawing graphs	p. 138
Indicating errors	p. 141
Sensitivity	p. 142
Arithmetic	p. 144
Arithmetic is important	p. 144
Computers	p. 144
Calculators	p. 145
Ways of reducing arithmetical mistakes	p. 145
Checking algebra	p. 148
Exercises	p. 150
Writing a paper	p. 152
Introduction	p. 152
Title	p. 152
Abstract	p. 152
Plan of paper	p. 153
Sections of paper	p. 153
Diagrams, graphs, and tables	p. 155
Instructions to authors	p. 155
Clarity	p. 156
Good English	p. 156
Conclusion	p. 158
Appendices
Evaluation of some integrals connected with the Gaussian function	p. 161
The variance of s[superscript 2] for a Gaussian distribution	p. 164
The straight line--the standard error in the slope and intercept	p. 166
Comment on the dependence of m, c, and b	p. 170
The binomial and Poisson distributions	p. 171
Binomial distribution	p. 171
Poisson distribution	p. 173
The x[superscript 2] distribution--test of goodness of fit	p. 176
Introduction	p. 176
Derivation of x[superscript 2] distribution	p. 177
The function P[subscript n](x[superscript 2])	p. 180
Degrees of freedom	p. 181
Test of goodness of fit	p. 182
Worked examples	p. 184
Comments	p. 186
SI units	p. 188
Names and symbols	p. 189
Decimal factors	p. 190
Relation to c.g.s. units	p. 190
Definition of the SI base units	p. 191
Values of physical constants	p. 192
Mathematical tables	p. 193
Values of the Gaussian function and the Gaussian integral function	p. 193
Values of x[superscript 2] for given v and P	p. 194
Solutions to exercises	p. 196
Some useful books	p. 206
References	p. 207
Index	p. 209
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.

Practical Physics

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

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How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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