FYSA1110 Experimental Methods in Physics (3 cr)

• Experimental error, sources and types of error, independence of errors.

• Propagation of uncertainties (the general formula of error propagation).

• Limiting distributions (normal distribution and Poisson distribution).

• Statistical analysis of measured data.

• Fitting a function in data points via the least squares method.

• SI system of units, its fundamentals and maintenance.

• Measuring technique: calibration of measuring equipment.

• Measuring techniques: detectors, sensors, computer-assisted measurements, measurement of electrical quantities and temperature, detecting gamma rays. 

After the course students will be able to

• Choose a reasonable method to evaluate experimental error and to use the general formula for error propagation.

• Use statistical methods to analyze data and understands the properties of the normal distribution.

• Create graphs by using graphing software and fit a suitable function into a set of data points.

• Use the Poisson distribution in association with counting experiments.

• Explain the basic principles of the definitions of the SI system.

• Use measuring equipment and methods to measure electrical quantities.

• Explain the basic principles of temperature measument and the differences between the thermodynamical temperature scale and the ITS-1990 scale.

• Explain the interactions between radiation and matter happening in gamma ray detectors. 

FYSP1081 Perusopintojen laboratoriotyöt 1