Amieyra Khoslla,IA229,2004 Tawara University Science
TAWARA PHYSICS PRACTICAL WORKSHOPS
Guide produced beamier Khoslla
Laboratory Equipment
Here are some examples of equipment you will use in the physics and engineering laboratories as
you do your experimental work in the first year. It is not a complete list, but you will find more
detailed instructions for using the equipment in the manuals that we have produced for each lab-
work experiment. For each piece of equipment, interactive tutorials and activities are provided for
you to check your understanding of their use.
Vernier Scales depth of a cavity
Vernier scales are used in several applications. small angles for setting up e.g. an astronomical
You will use them in the lab when using telescope.
callipers, angular Vernier scales and travelling
microscopes. They allow the user to read off Vernier scales may provide readouts on a
values with greater precision than when using linear scale, using an analogue dial or with a
more basic scales. digital display. The analogue display calliper
provides the final readout on a dial, while the
On a measuring device with a Vernier scale, digital ones replace the dial with an electronic
this latter lies next to the main scale. It is display.
designed so that ten of its divisions equal nine
of those on the main scale. A rough reading Micrometres
can be taken on the main scale and this can These are used to make precise measurements
then be refined by measuring a more precise of small objects. They also have a main
value on the Vernier scale. (coarse) scale and a fine scale to refine the
measurement. The micrometre will be
Vernier Scale Callipers
equipped with a friction screw to tighten the
These may be used to measure the: jaws onto the object to be measured. The
friction screw ensures the jaws do not
external diameter of an object
overtighten on the object and possibly damage
internal diameter it. A locking lever locks the jaws in place once
fixed on the object to be measured. The first
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Amieyra Khoslla,IA229,2004 Tawara University Science
reading is taken on the coarse scale and this is Oscilloscope
then refined by turning the “thimble” on the
As already mentioned, this piece of equipment
end which provides the fine reading by
will be used to display the output, for example,
moving the jaws by 0.5mm for each rotation.
from a signal generator in visual form. A
digital display will represent in two
Digital Mustimeters
dimensions one or more potential differences.
These can be used to measure various
This will usually be voltage on the vertical
properties of electrical circuits. These
axis (Y-axis) plotted against time on the
properties include voltage, current and
horizontal axis (X-axis). The display will scan
resistance. To measure the current, you would
repeatedly from left to right across the screen
use the mustimeter as an ammeter. You will
to make a trace or “waveform”.
also use one to measure voltage, or resistance
using it as an ohmmeter. Detailed instructions These are just some of the items of
for connecting up the mustimeter for its equipment you will use in your
different functions are included in the experiments in the first year of lab
interactive tutorials. In general, if you are work. You should familiarise
unsure about the range of measurements you yourself with them and their
are taking, it is better to start with a high functions through the interactive
setting and work towards a lower one. tutorials and activities linked to
this introduction.
Function Generator
Also known as a signal generator, this device Laboratory Notebook Skills
can produce various patterns of voltage at You will also need to keep notes of your
different frequencies and amplitude. You can experiments in your lab report notebook.
use it to test the response of a circuit to known Conventions for keeping and presenting lab
signal inputs. Using a signal generator, you reports can be found in the tutorial, [insert
can produce sine, square or triangular waves link to tutorial here] but you should also
and view these by connecting to an consult your lab supervisor.
oscilloscope. See the interactive tutorials to
check your understanding before connecting Why Do We Need Lab Books?
and using the signal generator in your lab To keep a record of what you found, how you
sessions. did it and what you think. An essential part of
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Amieyra Khoslla,IA229,2004 Tawara University Science
experimental science is a well-maintained lab
book which records all your work. It is a place
for you to record your data and the procedure
you undertook. It is the place to write down all
your ideas and your findings, even if, at the
time, you think they are unimportant. In
essence it contains all the evidence for your
findings and your logical deductions. The lab
book is evidence of good laboratory practice.
A good lab book ensures that your colleagues
can clearly follow your procedures and
understand your logic.
The lab book is evidence
The lab book is a resource
The lab book is NOT a copy of the
experimental script
The lab book is a bound A4 notebook.
You may alternatively keep a digital copy of
your lab book using software we recommend.
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