The Project Circuit

Sept. 24, 2012 - 12th Meeting of Physics 102.1 Lab

Returning to our investigatory project, we are still testing the possibility of a successful project. The circuit-work seems to be in the right shape, the power source is giving enough alternating current needed to test the circuit, and lab equipment like the Vernier Labquest are working well. The last thing we needed to repair was our inductor/solenoid. Our groupmate, Nelson, bought about a half of thick magnetic wire. We created our primary and secondary coils, which are essential to the induction part of our circuit. Unfortunately, the solenoids didn't work the way we wanted them to be, so we finally decided to borrow the solenoids available in the stockroom.

To our astonishment, the borrowed solenoids proved to be perfect tools for the completion of the project. Finally, we came up with the right data and graphs, and saved it to complete the technical paper. Nonetheless, we are hoping to finish this lab course in the right time.

- Bartz, 2012

The Creative Project

Sept. 17, 2012 - 11th Meeting of Physics 102.1 Lab

As for the continuation of our creative project, we have already constructed the circuit that we are going to use for the project. Nevertheless, there were complications since the solenoid that we have constructed was made from the magnetic wire of an electric fan motor. The project didn't go as we've expected, so we decided to wait for our third member, Nelson, to buy a magnetic wire that is useful for the experiment. The circuit construction was a success, although the part where we have to insert an inductor wasn't done successfully. We are still hoping for the completion of our project, and the safety of our member's health. Haha!

- Bartz, 2012

Creative Work Preparations Part II

Sept. 10, 2012 - 10th Meeting of Physics 102.1

We haven't started the creative project in this day. The outline of the circuit is still studied because there may be lapses in the availability of the materials and equipment to be used in the experiment. The circuit originally involved a transformer to produce an alternating current. However, the step-down transformer to be used costs a lot than we expected. Lucky for us, we discovered that the power supply that we have been using for the last experiments has a built-in alternating current source. The experiment is redesigned to an alternating power source. We are expected to finish the project within the month to present our ideas.

- Bartz, 2012

Creative Work Preparation

Sept. 3, 2012 - 9th Meeting of Physics 102.1 Lab

After a lot of holidays and class suspensions, we had our first laboratory meeting of September. Nevertheless, we did no experiment, instead, we decided to figure out how are we going to construct our own investigatory project for the laboratory. It was a good thing though when I came to the laboratory, our labmate, Kaiser, had constructed a magnificent experiment. The experiment involves an induction charger, constructed with diodes, solenoids, resistors, and other circuit components. This would manifest the notion of inductance, at which the AC circuit is constructed upon. It was interesting yet the making of the project was a bit expensive and hard if we don't get the right components. Nevertheless, we hope for the best of it.

- Bartz, 2012

Magnetism and Inductance

August 6, 2012 - 8th Meeting of Physics 102.1 Lab

After a long break due to heavy rains, we continued our laboratory activities in this day. Further investigation of magnetic phenomena and magnetic properties were discerned in this meeting. Although there were limited materials for the said activity, we managed to finish the experiments, together with other groups. The experiment was easy to observe, since Lenz's Law is a qualitative approach to magnetic activities and current.

The objective of the experiment is to investigate the deflections of a Galvanometer, an instrument used to measure electric current, specifically in electromagnetic induction. Needle deflections were observed, although the Galvanometer was a little off during the experiment. Nevertheless, the experiment was a success, and the last experiment has yet to come.

- Bartz, 2012

Sources of Magnetic Fields

July 23, 2012 - 7th Meeting of Physics 102.1 Lab

Today, we started to engage in the world of magnets, primarily the sources of magnetic fields. We examined the features of a bar magnet, although our materials are a bit off when it comes to accuracy. After that, I sprayed some iron fillings on a piece of paper and investigated the way the bar magnet interact with it. The results are great, yielding the structure if its magnetic field. 

However, the observation of Oersted's Experiment and the solenoid coil is the hardest thing we did that day. Our power supply was defective, smoking out when shorted with a wire. Although these things were cumbersome when it comes to data gathering, we never stopped the activity. Nelson, was a bit reluctant about the whole experiment, considering the absence of our third member. Nevertheless, the experiments were finished, and we get to learn new things in our laboratory.

-Bartz, 2012

RC Circuits

July 16, 2012 - 6th Meeting of Physics 102.1 Lab

The continuation of our experiment on capacitors and RC circuits is done today. The first thing we did was to think of a perfect RC circuit diagram to observe and record data from. It was a little overbearing, but it wasn't that much, considering the fact that we have been able to master the art of using these electrical contraptions. Anyway, the catch here is to examine the time constant, or the time of discharge of an electric capacitor after trying to charge it with a power supply. 

The thing is, a new device is used, well in the sense that we have just used it back in physics 101.1 lab: the Lab Quest. Forgetting how to use it was the very lame thing I have ever done, considering the advanced help it can give when it comes to recording data. Nevertheless, we consequently grooved throughout the motion and finished the whole thing, with a suitable amount of data. :))

-Bartz, 2012