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