Miyerkules, Setyembre 26, 2012

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

Biyernes, Setyembre 7, 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

Miyerkules, Agosto 22, 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

Martes, Hulyo 31, 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

Huwebes, Hulyo 19, 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

Miyerkules, Hulyo 11, 2012

Explaining Capacities

July 9, 2012 - 5th Meeting of Physics 102.1 Lab

After exploring the concept of Resistance and Kirchhoff's Rules, we are to examine the practical use of a capacitor, together with its properties and parts. We are given a parallel plate capacitor, in which we have to dissect to inspect the parts. However, breaking this kind of capacitor is no easy task; we had to use several sharp tools to unwind the metal sheets that are bound inside the material. 

Consequently, we are asked to provide a circuit schematic diagram, composed of different capacitor configurations: series and parallel, and then apply the result to an actual experiment. We had a hard time accomplishing the task, considering that awkward moment when we had no working breadboard. All we had to do instead was to entangle each wire of the capacitors to another to observe and collect data. Nevertheless, the job we did was complete yet subtle.

This is the first part of Experiment 4. Next week, we are about to observe the purpose of a capacitor in an RC circuit.

Martes, Hulyo 3, 2012

Kirchhoff's Rules: In a Network of Lines that Enlace

July 2, 2012 - 4rth Meeting of Physics 102.1 Lab

Monday morning, another drought of electric investigations and analysis. This time, it was all over the place, the experiment I mean, when I took over the procedure proper. Although it is hard to establish, most part of the activity lies on the theoretical examination of Kirchhoff's rules and its applications. It was kinda long and hard, judging from the way the circuitry is propagated and the way the equipment is mastered. 

On the lighter side, whenever we came up with a circuit application of indicated circuit diagrams, we always get errors regarding the readings of the power supply. Nevertheless, another instructor, more or less, gave us light on the matter, unmasking the hidden concept behind the network of wires. Having thought of these concepts, my group thoroughly grasped the whole experiment. From the arrangement of the ceramic resistors along the bread board, to the theoretical concept behind Kirchhoff's Rules, I'd say, though a little bit delayed on the matter, we did a good job recording and evaluating our data.

Kirchhoff's Rules are rules for incomprehensible circuit networks; by incomprehensible I mean to say that they can't be solved by mere Ohm's Law and resistance-voltage-current relationships. These circuits involve constructing systems of equations from junctions, branches and loops, all from assumptions. We had a hard time working it out; consequently, our technical paper is furnished with proper data and discussions. Perhaps, sometime in this semester, I'll have the full grasp of what is needed to divulge in these kinds of problems.

- Bartz, 2012

Huwebes, Hunyo 28, 2012

Resistors and Ohm's Law: The World of Circuitry

June 25, 2012 - 3rd Meeting of Physics 102.1 Lab

Today, as I would say the least, is the day of transition from the observation of the behavior of charges and electric fields, to the manipulation of electric circuits. Looking at the materials we used to establish the  experiment, I felt a little bit dazed constructing the set-up. From the least possible sizes of color-coded resistors, to the hazardous structure of a power supply, we conjured a set-up best fit for the experiment. 

From start until the end, we enjoyed recording the data, knowing that some of it may have become irrelevant and incongruous to the objective of the experiment. Moreover, the fun started when we conducted the experiment concerning the German nickel wire, of which is the first set-up to use a big power supply. Me and my teammates handled the succeeding experiments well, constructed with enough materials to propagate enough data that would generalize our objectives.

Throughout the whole experiment, I was a bit oblivious of the whole aspect, but then I realized that I am a physics major who would, in any consequences, evolve and adapt to several admissions, and finish a job with polished information.

- Bartz, 2012

Linggo, Hunyo 24, 2012

Equipotential Lines and Electric Field Lines

June 18, 2012 - 2nd Meeting of Physics 102.1 Lab

It's been a while since I've done experiments in a physics lab. From mechanics and kinematics, we are to examine the world of electricity and electromagnetism. Our whole physics 102.1 lab journey starts with tracing electric fields through equipotential lines. 

The equipment are new, the style of gathering data is new, and the way we conducted the experiment is surprisingly new. We are to trace equipotential lines in an electrolytic tank where two different electrodes are placed. The set-up is rather confusing, and judging from the way the coordinate system is configured, we are caught up in an array of disastrous coordinates. We started the experiment slowly, but as we figured out the way we would approach the experiment, a swift wind blew throughout our process. We managed to finish the data gathering, although inconsistencies are still seen. 

After the experiment, we are to produce a technical report summarizing the data we gathered. 

- Bartz, 2012

Linggo, Pebrero 19, 2012

Balancing Objects: A New Perspective

Feb 13, 2012 - 9th Meeting of Physics 101.1 Lab

We all know the concept of balancing, a way of seeing equilibrium. We used the word "balance" significantly in the course of our lives: from eating a balanced diet, to understanding the balanced universe. The term is at its utmost importance to us people. But then, what is the logic behind this phenomena, the process of balancing objects? Why is it possible for systems to achieve an equilibrium, static equilibrium so-to-speak. This unusual question is what we tried to solve during the experiment we had in the laboratory. The experiment is about static equilibrium, center of mass, and their application to some set-ups.

The activity contained four experimental parts. The first one is the easiest, which is to determine the center of mass of a regular object, a meter stick (as the beam in the set-up) specifically. Then, we determined the mass of an unknown object (an external drive we got from my bag) using the set-up from the first one. We added to pans and weights to experimentally measure the mass of the unknown object. In the last 2 parts, we determined the validity of using center of mass to determine the mass of an object, whether it is regular or irregular. 

During the course of our experiment, we had a hard time on finding the center of mass of the beam. It is because of the beam being "unstable" when it comes to balancing. Nevertheless, we got an almost accurate measurement, which astonished our lab instructor. I guess our balancing skills really paid-off during that time. 

That's the conclusion of our last experiment. We are to discuss our plans for the last experiment: the creative project. - Bartz,2012

Linggo, Pebrero 12, 2012

Oscillation: The Varying Forms

Jan. 30, 2012 - Feb. 30, 2012 - 7th and 8th Meeting of Physics 101.1 Lab

After a tedious experiment about projectile motion, we started to construct our own set-up to verify the different aspects of harmonic oscillation. The only thing that made this experiment hard to digest is the fact that we can't be certain in every observation that we can get. Each value can yield different results, which may stray to the theoretical value of the period of the set-up. Getting into these things made us prepare for the future experiments of the world of physics.

Let me tell a little of oscillation. Oscillation is the repetitive variation, typically in time, of some measure about a central value (often a point of equilibrium) or between two or more different states. The process can be examined in different forms: by a spring mass system, a simple pendulum, or a physical pendulum. For me, the easiest to observe is the simple pendulum, since the set-up requires a little work to be done. 

The lab was noisy because of the noise made by falling mass samples. Our spring was too loose, which our experiment hard to observe. Nevertheless, we managed to get what we want: the data to prove our hypothesis. This and all that, I say, that our experiment was done profusely, although human errors and uncertainties were floating in the overall observations. The technical report to be submitted will be hard to do, since we got three experiments at hand. - Bartz,2012

Linggo, Pebrero 5, 2012

Projectile Motion

Jan. 23, 2012 and Jan.30, 2012 - 6th and 7th Meeting of Physics 101.1 Lab

Our first experiment that requires our own design of the experimental set-up was done during these meetings. The experiment examines projectile motion of different particles in different media. This activity was done outside because of precautionary measures. But before we engage into the activity, we had to answer the pre-activity worksheet, which discusses the factors that affect the trajectory of a particle. Nevertheless, it was an easy job to do since we had our classroom discussion about projectile motion.

The first set-up requires a projectile that shoots a metal ball at a distance. The projectile gun was hard to set since we need to check for every parts that may cause any injuries. In addition to that, our ramp was too loose, that it made setting the angle tedious for us. But, in spite all of these hard activities, we managed to finish the set-up and carry on with our experiment. Here are some pictures that we shot during the experiment:

 
    

We also had to examine the motion of a marble upon traversing a slender ramp, which cause a projectile motion at the end of the ramp. Then, a practical test was done on the next meeting, in which we used our calculations to ensure that the projectile will hit the bull's eye of a target. We hit the bull's eye at our first trial, but failed at the second one, because of human error. Although it was close, we are happy of what our calculations came out to be.

This activity is the first of many, which in fact, makes physics a more enjoyable subject than any other fields.
-Bartz, 2012


Linggo, Enero 29, 2012

Using Statistical Data and Graphs (Part II)

Jan. 8, 2012 - 5th Meeting of Physics 101.1 Lab

This is the continuation of my post about using statistical data and graphs. In this part of the lecture, we studied the use of Scatter or X and Y Graph. A scatter plot or scattergraph is a type of mathematical diagram using Cartesian coordinates to display values for two variables for a set of data. Unlike linear graphs, the scatter plots only the points and connects them in an uneven manner.

Here's the scatter plot that we have done during the experiment. The experiment describes the movement (position, velocity, and acceleration) of a ball which is thrown upward on a remote sensor. Graphical results are propagated from the vernier lab quest.





Then, we also had an experiment that examines the motion of a linear particle (like a ruler) through a photogate, an instrument that somehow measures the motion of a particle. These are our results: 





The results shown here are represented by a line with bars on their edges, that indicates uncertainty.

The experiment was a first: a preparation for the next activities. Although it was a little tedious, the experiment was done enthusiastically. --Bartz, 2012

Linggo, Enero 15, 2012

Using Statistical Data and Graphs

Jan. 8, 2012 - 5th Meeting of Physics 101.1 Lab

In today's class, we reviewed the different ways to represent statistical data. We studied the different types of Graphs: Pie Chart, Bar Graph, and The Scatter Plot (X and Y graph). We also conducted a little experiment to apply our knowledge of these graphs. These statistical tools are very important in organizing and presenting data not only to the instructor, but also to the viewers of the work.

Let me get started with the Pie Chart. These graphs are very useful in representing data as percentage of a whole. Here is an example of a Pie Chart of my Daily Time Allotment:

Here is the data used:
       Daily Time Allotment          Time (Hours) 
Studying                              7 
Watching TV                       1 
Surfing the Internet               5 
 Eating                                  3 
 Sleeping                               8 
 Others                                  3  

Next, we studied the way to make a Bar Graph. This is used to represent polls, numbers, and votes into statistical graph. Here is an example of a Bar Graph of the favorite colors of students:


Here is the data used:
       Favorite Color      No. of Students 
 Red                  22 
 Blue                  15 
 Green                11 
Black                 6 
Pink                   2  

This is the first part of our lecture. I will be posting another blog that will emphasize the use of scatter graphs on some physics experiment. I am hoping to recieve the data that we recorded from the activity: the measurement of free-fall motion. -Bartz, 2012


The Best Fit Line

Dec. 12, 2011 - 4rth Meeting of Physics 101.1 Lab with a guest teacher

After a rigorous exam in Chem 16, we had our lesson about the best fit line with a guest teacher. It is a line on a scatter plot which can be drawn near the points to more clearly show the trend between two sets of data.When data is displayed with a scatter plot, it is often useful to attempt to represent that data with the equation of a straight line for purposes of predicting values that may not be displayed on the plot.

The professor clear taught us how to organize the data with the proper notations and formulas. Also, statistical methods of central tendency like mean, median and mode, are used to set the best-fit line. - Bartz, 2011