Assignment A2
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WSE 187 Cosmic Rays and Particle Detectors
Assignment 2A (100pts) – Write-up for the Popcorn Experiment!
As we discussed in class, there are a a variety of things we can find out about popping corn. In our initial brainstorming session, you came up with some great ideas. For this lab, we would like you to look at the audio data generated by the Audacity program. Using this data you should determine:
- the rate of popping/distribution of popping (remember this was a changing rate - use a histogram to help with this part)
- number of unpopped kernels/popped kernels
- time to first pop/time to last pop
- number of simultaneous pops(be sure to describe methodology in your write-up)
In your analysis include the mean and standard deviationof your popping kernal data.
By the way, the wiki does not like Word or Excel files. However, you can convert these files into .PDF or .JPEG (it likes these).
Directions:
From your personal page, create an internal link to your lab write up. You will not turn in a "paper" lab.
Suggestion: Write up your lab using a word processor and spreadsheet, then insert it into the linked page.
Your write up should describe your experiment with these section headings:
1. Heading
Identify the experiment and give the date performed. Include your name and that of your partners.
2. Abstract
Give a short description of the object of the experiment and a statement of your principal results.
3. Theory
Present in your own words the essential ideas behind the experiment. Establish the context of the experiment and state any relationships you are using in analyzing your data.
4. Experimental
Describe in your own words the apparatus used and the procedures followed to get your results. Write the experimental as if another scientist will be attempting to follow your directions to achieve the same results.
5. Data Analysis
Give an example of each calculation made. Clearly state the results obtained. Data should be presented in an organized form (tables, charts, and graphs). Experimental data should be compared with theoretical predictions and calculations. Include error analysis (such as standard deviations and uncertainties) in your tables and with your final results.
6. Conclusion
Summarize in a couple of paragraphs what you conclude from the results of your experiment and whether these results are consistent with your prediction. You should also include error sources here and whether deviations from the expected result fall within your expected errors
7. Remarks
Critique the experiment. What could be done to improve or streamline the experiment.
Due: Tuesday, April 4, 2006, 3:50pm
Assignment 2B (25pts) – Blog/Journal Entry
Create a blog/journal entry on your personal page. Begin each entry with the date. After entering the date, write two or three sentences about your most recent class experience. In particular, write about what was accomplished in class. You should also write about a "lightbulb" moment and a "challenge" moment since the last class.
Due: Thursday, March 30, 2006, 3:50pm
