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# Demos, Techniques, and Experiments

• Barometer
An introduction to using a Mercury Barometer, also known as a Fortin Barometer. Requires Flash; uses videos in RealMedia, QuickTime or mpeg format.
• Error Analysis
A series of documents on error analysis in the experimental physical sciences. The discussion is at a beginning University level.
• Error Propagation
Propagation of errors of precision using Mathematica and the Experimental Data Analyst package. This brief discussion is suitable for students at all levels who need to do a fair amount of error propagation calculations.
• Fitting Techniques
A brief introduction to fitting data to models. The emphasis is on least-squares techniques. The level is somewhat beyond what we expect from a typical first year student.
• Flash Animations for Physics
An index to various Flash animations for physics.
• Fourier Transform, A Brief Introduction
A brief introduction to Fourier series, Fourier transforms, discrete Fourier transforms of time series, and the Fourier transform package in the Python programming langauge.
• Least-Squares Fitting
A discussion of the design principles for a least-squares fitter suitable for use in analysing data from the physical sciences and engineering.
• Manometers
A small document on using a manometer to measure a pressure.
• Micrometer
Using a Micrometer. Requires Flash.
• Monte Carlo Simulation
Discusses the computer generation of events obeying some statistical model using Monte Carlo simulation. Brief reviews of Special Relativity and High Energy physics are also provided, and a small discussion of the generation of pseudo-random numbers is included. Used by upper year physics majors and specialists.
• Reading a Vernier
A small document on reading a Vernier scale.
• The Laboratory Notebook
Extracts of a top-quality laboratory notebook.
• The Oscilloscope
An introduction to the basic use of an oscilloscope to measure voltages as a function of time. Requires Flash.
• Uncertainty in Physical Measurements
The link to the left provides access to a series of documents on uncertainty in physical measurements. They are intended for beginning university students in the physical sciences, and are based on the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM). They were written in 2013. An earlier effort at teaching this material is the Error Analysis link above.
• Visualisation and Transformation of Data
A brief discussion of techniques for exploration of data with visualisation and transformation. Not terribly technical, but does examine techniques often considered to be advanced.