Ateneo - UPO

Geometrical optics and complements of physical optics. Spectroscopic and absorbance measurements. Complements on DC and AC circuits and electrical measurements. RC, LC, RLC filters. Semiconductor devices: diodes and transistors and their application to electrical circuits. Use of multimeters, power supply, waveform generator, and oscilloscopes. Laboratory work on these subjects.

G. Cannelli, Metodologie sperimentali in fisica, Terza edizione, EdiSES 2010 – ISBN: 9788879596794;
Robert L. Boylestad, Brian A. Olivari, "Introductory Circuit Analysis", 14th edition, Pearson 2022 - ISBN: 0137594119, 9780137594115
Textbooks listed for Physics II.
Materials provided by the professor.

The course completes the study of electromagnetic phenomena by addressing geometrical optics, interference, diffraction, polarization, alternating current circuits, diodes, transistors, and basic electronic circuits. From an experimental perspective, the course aims to provide students with the skills required to carry out laboratory experiments independently and effectively, applying appropriate measurement techniques, instrument handling, and data acquisition procedures. Particular emphasis is placed on the critical evaluation of experimental data, the statistical treatment of uncertainties, and the graphical representation of results, in order to develop the ability to quantitatively compare experimental observations with theoretical predictions.

Data analysis topics of the course “Physics Laboratory I” (first year), links with the parallel course “Physics II” (first semester of the second year).

Lectures on complements about optics and electrical circuits, laboratory practice with experiments concerning electromagnetism, optics and electrical circuits.

Monitoring the learning process: this will be achieved by posing questions to students during lectures and laboratory practice, and also through quizzes proposed on the D.I.R. platform.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti,
consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Assessment is based on three elements: the written reports on the laboratory experiments, the maintenance of the laboratory notebook, and an oral examination on the physics of the experiments and on the statistical analysis of the data. The oral examination includes discussion of the reports and the ability to reproduce and discuss one of the experiments presented during the course. A passing grade is obtained with reports that demonstrate understanding of the experimental procedure and adequate data analysis skills, with an orderly and consistent laboratory notebook, and with the successful completion of the oral examination showing a basic but sufficient knowledge of the physics of the phenomena studied and of the main techniques of statistical data analysis. Excellence is achieved through complete mastery of the topics, high-quality reports containing critical and in-depth analysis of the results, a precise and systematic laboratory notebook, and a clear, autonomous, and technically accurate discussion of both experimental and theoretical aspects. In addition, a conscious and quantitative comparison of experimental results with model predictions is required, including the evaluation of possible discrepancies and their critical interpretation.

The course of Physics Laboratory II addresses the experimental study of electromagnetic, optical, and electronic phenomena, with the goal of consolidating theoretical knowledge and developing practical skills in measurement, data analysis, and interpretation. The first part of the course introduces the passive components of electrical circuits (resistors, capacitors, and inductors) and voltage and current generators, together with the techniques for measuring fundamental electrical quantities using both analog and digital instruments. The use of waveform generators, multimeters, and oscilloscopes is studied in detail and applied to alternating current circuits, with particular attention to RC, RL, and RLC configurations, the use of phasors, resonance phenomena, and the properties of filters. Circuit simulation with dedicated software is also introduced as a support to laboratory activity. The course then covers fundamental electronic devices, such as diodes and transistors, and their applications in basic circuits. Principles of operation of advanced measuring instruments and the fundamentals of analog electronics, including amplifiers, are also discussed. A section of the course is dedicated to geometrical and physical optics. Topics include refraction, image formation with thin lenses, and the functioning of optical instruments. From the wave optics perspective, interference and diffraction phenomena are analyzed, together with the use of diffraction gratings, the study of light polarization and its applications, and the processes of transmission and absorption of light radiation, including the Lambert–Beer law. In parallel with the lectures, the course includes nine laboratory experiments through which students put their acquired knowledge into practice, developing operational skills with laboratory instrumentation, techniques for data acquisition and handling, statistical analysis of results, and critical comparison between experimental observations and theoretical models.

- Knowledge and understanding: application of electromagnetism to light propagation in physical optics and geometrical optics. DC and AC circuits with resistors, capacitors, inductances, diodes, and transistors. Electrical safety.
- Applying knowledge and understanding: the ability to set up an experimental apparatus to perform optical measurements. Use of electronic instruments like generators, multimeters, and oscilloscopes.
- Making judgments: evaluate the correctness of the experimental method used and of the consistency of the obtained results. Evaluate the correctness of a laboratory report using the peer-review method.
- Communication skills: ability to organise teamwork, ability to report the experimental procedures and the results in a written paper, using tables and charts to detail the specifications of a circuit or electrical component.
- Learning skills: use of experimental methods of optics to investigate the behaviour of an optical system. Use the methods of electronics to evaluate or troubleshoot an electrical circuit.