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UCD: Physics 9B Lab

• Front Matter
This section provides an explanation of what is expected from students in the laboratory portion of Physics 9.
• Lab 1: One-Dimensional Waves
We look at the properties of waves on strings, such as what factors affect velocity and what happens when the wave reflects off a barrier.
• Lab 2: Standing Waves
We use the properties of standing wave harmonics and their associated traveling waves to experimentally determine the linear mass density of a string.
• Lab 3: Sound
We use the standing sound wave harmonics in a metal bar to compute the speed of sound in that metal, and test the "beats" phenomenon.
• Lab 4: Two-Source Interference
We explore the phenomenon of interference, resulting from waves coming from two sources.
• Lab 5: Diffraction
We look at some consequences and applications of diffraction for single slits and diffraction gratings.
• Lab 6: Geometrical Optics
We examine Snell's law, and its consequences for image location. We extend this phenomenon to explore the case of a converging lens.
• Lab 7: Kinetic Theory and Ideal Gases
We use a simulator to explore the kinetic theory of gases and the ideal gas law.
• Lab 8: Gas Processes
We derive the thermodynamic constant gamma for air, using only a pressure sensor and a cyclic process that involves some very simple-to-produce processes.
• Lab 9: A Heat Engine
We extract work from an engine using two thermal reservoirs.
• Back Matter