This repository contains a collection of physics laboratory reports completed during my Foundation year. These reports document experiments conducted in the Physics module.
Each experiment was meticulously documented in a lab book, following rigorous guidelines, to ensure that another engineer with relevant knowledge could reproduce the experiment and its results. Key aspects of this methodology included:
- Clear statement of aims and relevant background theory.
- Detailed methodology with diagrams of experimental setups.
- Systematic recording of results and calculations, including error analysis and clear presentation in tables/graphs.
- Thoughtful conclusions reflecting on the aims, expected results, and potential improvements. All entries were made contemporaneously, with any errors crossed out and explained, adhering to professional engineering practice.
This project was conducted in two distinct phases:
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Experimental Phase: The hands-on setup of the experiment and the collection of raw data were performed collaboratively with a lab partner, [Daniel Anisoreac] - GitHub: @DAnisoreac
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Analysis and Reporting Phase: The processing of the collected data, all scientific analysis, interpretation of results, and the writing of this lab report are my own original and individual work.
The PDF reports linked below are derived from this detailed lab book work.
Below are the individual lab reports included in this collection:
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Lab 1: Resistivity
- Aim: Determine the resistivity of a wire using a micrometre, ammeter, and voltmeter.
- Description: This experiment involved applying Ohm's Law and understanding factors affecting material resistance to calculate resistivity based on measured dimensions and electrical properties.
- Key Equipment Used: Approx. 1m of constantan wire, DC supply, Multimeter (used as ammeter and voltmeter), Resistor 10 Ω, Crocodile clips, Connecting leads, Metre ruler, Micrometre. View Resistivity Lab Report
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Lab 2: Snell's Law & Refractive Index
- Aim: To find the refractive index of a glass block.
- Description: This investigation focused on the refraction of light, verifying Snell's Law by measuring angles of incidence and refraction to determine the refractive index.
- Key Equipment Used: Glass block, Light source (ray box), Coloured filters and slits, Ruler, Protractor (implied for measuring angles), Graph paper. View Snell's Law Lab Report
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Lab 3: Specific Heat Capacity (SHC)
- Aim: Determine the specific heat capacity of two of the blocks you are given.
- Description: This experiment involved calorimetry, precise temperature measurements, and energy transfer calculations to determine the specific heat capacity of different materials.
- Key Equipment Used: Three 1 kg calorimetry blocks (copper, steel, aluminium), Electric heater, Thermometer, Leads, Multimeter, Stopwatch, Insulation. View Specific Heat Capacity Lab Report
These laboratory exercises and the accompanying reports demonstrate proficiency in:
- Experimental Design & Execution: Setting up apparatus, following procedures, and making accurate measurements.
- Data Collection & Analysis: Systematically recording raw data, performing calculations, and identifying sources of error.
- Error Analysis & Uncertainty Quantification: Estimating and propagating errors in measurements and calculated results.
- Scientific Reporting: Clearly and concisely documenting experimental aims, background theory, methodology, results, and conclusions in a structured format.
- Critical Thinking: Evaluating results against theoretical expectations, identifying problems, and suggesting improvements.
- Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy in measurements, calculations, and report presentation.
- Adherence to Professional Standards: Following established guidelines for laboratory record-keeping.
- Data analysis and graphing tools: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Desmos
Copyright (c) 2025 [Sushant Jasra Kumar]
The code for all projects in this portfolio is licensed under the MIT License.
All non-code assets, including PDF documents, images, and visual designs, are dedicated to the public domain under the Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0).