A two-session lab where students explore induction by dropping magnets through a coil.
Experimentation-based lab exploring induction by dropping magnets through a coil and measuring output voltage using an oscilloscope. Split into 2 weeks.
* Design high-precision experiments to build models, including identifying interesting variables to test, variables to control, and ways to reduce uncertainty and systematics.
* Manage time by conducting pilot experiments, plotting as you go, and reflecting on the measurements and data throughout.
* Motivate all research questions, conclusions, and interpretations with supporting data.
* Provide positive and constructive feedback when evaluating peers’ work.
Experimentation Goals
These experimentation goals are most strongly represented in the explicit learning goals described above:
Student Decision Making
In this lab, students have the opportunity to:
Discovery
Determine results previously known to:
Duration
2 sessions of 2 hours
Equipment Required
Implementation Tips
Calibrating oscilloscopes is always a thorny issue. Coils pick up ambient noise from fluorescent lights, WiFi etc., so turning off lights can help get cleaner data. Encouraging students to get a large enough scale of height values for plotting height vs peak voltage is good for seeing the nonlinear relationship there.
How This Fits in Your Course
Can be done early in the semester without prerequisite knowledge of Faraday's Law to encourage discovery. Can also be used in conjunction with an E&M course following Faraday.
Lab 2.1_ Dropping Magnets.ipynb
Hands-on Lab26 KBFirst week of 2 session lab on dropping magnets through a coil
Lab 2.1 Dropping Magnets I.pdf
Instructor Supplement85 KBPDF preview of Dropping Magnets Session 1 python notebook file
Lab 2.2_ Dropping Magnets II.ipynb
Hands-on Lab9 KBSecond week of 2 session lab on dropping magnets through a coil
Lab 2.2 Dropping Magnets II.pdf
Instructor Supplement55 KBPDF preview of Dropping Magnets Session 1 python notebook file
Oscilloscope FAQS (Dropping Magnets).docx
Student Reading9 KBHelp document for oscilloscopes
utilities.ipynb
Other7 KBUtilities file with plotting and statistics functions for use with both lab notebooks
Intro to Experimental Physics 1110 Syllabus_F25.pdf
Instructor Supplement165 KBCourse syllabus
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Michael Verostek
Natasha Holmes
Adrian Madsen
Lauren Bauman
CC BY-NC-SA
Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share Alike. Others can share and adapt for non-commercial purposes, must attribute and share with the same license.
