Experimental Physics 1

This Modul conveys the most important and basic principles and concepts of experimental physics to the students with special focus on the usefulness for chemists. The topics in the first, big mechanics part include Measuring and Units, Skalar and vectorial quantities, Newtons axioms, translatory motion, Equation of motions, Energy and momentum, laws of conservation, collision processes, rotary motion, angular momentum, and reference systems. The next part is dedicated to Oscillations and Waves reviewing the free, damped, and forced Oscillation, the wave equation and propagation, superposition and interference effects, the Doppler effect, Energy and energydensity of Waves. The final chapter communicates the mechanics of continua. Important term are pressure, compressibility, viscosity and a basic understanding of flow. 

After a successful participation in this module, the students will understand the concepts and terms discussed in the lecture and they will be able to apply them to simple example problems.

Especially they will be able to

• use measures as required
• apply Newtons theorems by setting up and solving the equation of movement for mechanical problems
• know energy and momentum conservation and apply them to simple mechanical problems
• be able to use and solve wave equations and to apply them to simple mechanical problems
• transfer and extend this knowledge to the mechanics of continua and fluids
• be able to carry out and analyse simple mechanical experiments using their smartphone

mathematical skills as required to pass the Abitur:

• geometry
• vector analysis
• differential calculus
• integral calculus

Vorlesung (inklusive Demonstrationsversuchen) kombiniert mit Übungsblättern und Tutorien. Die Inhalte der Vorlesung werden im Vortrag und Präsentationen vermittelt und durch Demonstrationsversuche veranschaulicht. Begleitend sollen die Studierenden ein Lehrbuch durcharbeiten, welches zur weiteren Vertiefung auch durch weitere Literatur ergänzt werden kann. Durch Lösen der Aufgaben in der Übung werden die Inhalte der Vorlesung praktisch vermittelt. Als Übungsaufgaben werden auch Experimente mit dem Smartphone durchgeführt, die den Studierenden die physikalischen Gesetze im Alltag näherbringen.

Die in der Vorlesung verwendeten Medien setzen sich aus Präsentationen, Demonstrationsexperimenten, Videos und Tafelaufschrieben zusammen, um den Studierenden Kenntnisse der Physik zu vermitteln. Die Übung dient der Anwendung und Vertiefung der erlernten Kenntnisse der Experimentalphysik. Die Bearbeitung in den Übungen erfordert ein Studium der Literatur von Seiten der Studierenden und födert eine inhaltlichen Auseinandersetzung mit den Themen.

Die Versuche mit dem Smartphone werden durch die App Phyphox unterstützt.

There will be a written exam of 90 minutes duration. Therein the achievement of the competencies given in section learning outcome is tested exemplarily at least to the given cognition level using calculation problems and comprehension questions.

For example an assignment in the exam might be:

• Calculate the angular momentum of a body around a given axis.
• Use energy and momentum conservation to solve the given mechanical problem (for example a collision).
• Solve the equation of motion for a thrown object.
• Calculate the amplitude and period of a spring pendulum at a given initial velocity and mass.
• Apply Newton's axioms to a given mechanical problem.
• Show that the given equation is the equation of motion for a given mechanical problem.

In the exam the following learning aids are permitted:

• hand-written sheet with formulas, double-sided
• non-programable calculator

Participation in the exercise classes is strongly recommended since the exercises prepare for the problems of the exam and rehearse the specific competencies.