Ateneo - UPO

1) Measurement of the speed of light using a laser diode and oscilloscope;
2) Measurement of the electron charge;
3) Measurement of the Boltzmann constant;
4) Measurement of the Planck constant with several LEDs;
5) Measurement of the temperature T and extrapolation;
6) Measurement of the muon lifetime;

Materials provided by the professors.

Provide a direct experience of measuring the main fundamental physical constants using modern methods. The student will able to understand the role of the measurement of fundamental constants in the International System of Units and in technological applications.

Basic knowledge acquired in the mathematics courses of the first two years, in the courses of General Physics I and Il and in the laboratory courses for knowledge of the basic techniques in analysis of experimental data.

Introductory lectures on the constants to be measured, explanation of the techniques used for the measurements, as well as practical exercises in laboratory.

Learning assessment will be conducted through questions during lectures and exercises. Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) may request specific services and tools by contacting the Career Development and Coordination and Student Services Staff /and by consulting the dedicated page on the University website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studenti-disabili-e-dsa
Students with disabilities, SLD, or SSEN, after contacting the University Staff, may contact the professor in charge of the course regarding the specific exam methods and teaching aspects.

Evaluation is based on two aspects: written reports of the laboratory experiments and an oral exam on the underlying physics and the statistical analysis of experimental data.
Passing grade is achieved with reports that demonstrate understanding of the experimental procedure and adequate data analysis skills, and with a passing grade in the oral exam that demonstrates adequate basic knowledge of the physics of the phenomena being studied and the main statistical data analysis techniques.
Excellent grade is achieved with complete mastery of the topics, high-quality reports containing a critical and in-depth analysis of the results, and a clear, independent, and technically appropriate discussion of the experimental and theoretical aspects.

For each of the physical constants that will be measured in the laboratory, a historical introduction will be provided on how the constants were defined, the measurement methodologies used, and possible alternative methodologies to those adopted in the course. The evolution of measurement precision will also be discussed, and those obtained in the laboratory will be compared with currently available reference values for all the planned measurements.

- Knowledge and understanding: acquisition of some simple experimental methods for the measurement of fundamental constants of physics.
- Application of knowledge and understanding: to be able to identify the methods and devices suitable for the measurement of some fundamental constants of physics in the educational field.
- Making judgements: ability to critically analyse recent publications on experimental methods applicable in a didactic setting.
- Communication skills: ability to organise team work (also in view of future job placement), ability to communicate the experimental procedure and the results of an experiment through the laboratory logbook, using text, graphs, tables.
- Learning skills: acquisition of a certain mastery of the literature on the studied experimental measurements in order to be able to expand one's knowledge following future technological advances.
This course contributes to the mission of the profile "Communication of Physics".