Year 1 Physics Lab

We make physics more real. In this lab, first year physics undergraduates gain practical experience in the working concepts of mechanics, optics, vibrations, waves, electricity, magnetism and quantum physics.

All experiments are designed to complement the first year theoretical physics courses, allowing students to understand how physics principles lie at the core of seemingly mundane events and observations in daily life, such as collisions, moving body dynamics, etc.

Our team also provides equipment for teaching and physics demonstrations to faculty, staff, and students. The laboratory is also a venue for special workshops for education and outreach.

Location

We are located on Level 2 in the SPMS Building (SPMS-PAP-02-08).
NTU Maps link

Contact Information

Year 1 Demonstration Equipment

Gaussian Gun

Quantity: 1

Cart to explain Newton’s laws

Newton’s Cart

Quantity: 1

Cart to explain Newton’s laws

High Low Road

Quantity: 1

Demonstration to explain kinematics of motion along different roads

Base for Newton's Cradle

Quantity: 1

Demonstration for energy and momentum conservation in a series of metal spheres suspended by strings

Ballistic Pendulum

Quantity: 1

Demonstration of energy conservation and momentum conservation in collisions

Bicycle Wheel Gyroscope

Quantity: 2

Bicycle wheel as a gyroscope to show the stabilization due to angular momentum conservation

Simple Metal Gyroscope

Quantity: 3

Classic gyroscope for demonstration of conservation of angular momentum

Projectile Launcher

Quantity: 1

Tool to demonstrate projectile motion

Force Table

Quantity: 1

Demonstration of vector addition of forces

Ring & Disc Moment of Inertia Demonstrator

Quantity: 1

Demonstration of moment of inertia of disc/ring rolling down an inclined plane

Ring Moment of Inertia Demonstrator

Quantity: 1

Demonstration of moment of inertia of ring with varying mass distribution rolling down an inclined plane

Digital Stroboscope with Flash Rate Display

Quantity: 1

Study of cyclically moving (rotating, oscillating, vibrating) object using flashes at the vibration frequency ( or multiple of vibration frequency) making the object appear stationary or slowed down

Rotational Theorem

Quantity: 1

Demonstrates the relationship between observed angular acceleration, torque and angular moment of inertia

Hooke's Law

Quantity: 1

Demonstration of Hooke’s Law using a spring mounted on a stand with pointer indicating extension on scale as slotted weights are added to holder at the base of spring

Wilberforce Pendulum

Quantity: 2

Demonstration of torsional and translational motion in oscillating pendulum

Economy Force Sensor

Quantity: 2

Records ±50N with 0.03N resolution, can be mounted on carts or rod clamps. Needs PC with specific software for data acquisition

Simple Machines Kit

Retort stands with pulleys, gears, levers, spring scales, set of weights, weight hangers

1 Set of Tuning Forks (8)

Quantity: 2

Demonstration of waves and oscillations

1 Slinky Tube with Stand

Quantity: 1

Demonstration of waves and standing waves

Differential & Sympathetic Tuning Forks

Quantity: 1

Demonstration of resonance, beat frequency and sympathetic vibrations

String Vibrator

Quantity: 1

Demonstrate standing waves in a string and study their dependence on string tension, length, mass and vibration frequency

Mechanical Wave Driver

Quantity: 3

0.1Hz-5kHz frequency vibrations, vertical/horizontal mounting, needs function generator with at least ±8V, 0.5A

Chladny Plates

Quantity: 4

Waves & Oscillations Kit

Quantity: 1

Tuning forks, snaking and slinking tube, spring, pendulum bob

Fire Syringe

Quantity: 1

Demonstration of adiabatic compression of gas to ignite tinder

Kinetic Theory Model

Quantity: 1

Visual representation of molecular movement in gases. Needs a 6V DC source capable of providing 2.5A current

Newton's Ring Apparatus

Quantity: 1

Demonstration of Newton’s rings interference pattern by adjusting the air gap between two glass surfaces pressed together

Education Diffraction Grating

Quantity: 2

Demonstration of diffraction via gratings of varying groove density

Spectormeter

Quantity: 2

Demonstration of practical working of spectrometer

Optics Kit

Quantity: 1

50 mm optic mounts (3), 50mm convex lens and concave lens, 50mm convex/concave mirror, Wireless light source, Refraction tank, prism

Set of glass plates with different slits for interference and diffraction demo

Quantity: 1

Set of glass plates with slits for interference and diffraction demonstrations in combination with a clear glass single filament lamp ( not included).

It is portable and can fit in your palm, unlike the previous item.

Polarized Light Interference

Quantity: 1

This device illustrates the extinction and polarized light interference phenomenon using two polarizers. Images can be projected onto a screen as well.

It is portable and can fit in your palm, unlike the previous item.

Radiometer

Quantity: 1

Measurement of electromagnetic radiation intensity

Wimhurst Machine

Quantity: 4

Demonstration of electrostatic generation

Hand Crank Van de Graaff Generator, Generator

Quantity: 1

Demonstration of conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy by buildup of static charge

Electroscope

Quantity: 1

Basic electrostatic experiments, indication of AC/DC voltages

Lightning Rod Discharge Theorem

Quantity: 1

This instrument is designed using point discharge principle to prevent strong sparks. It compares the discharge phenomenon between a spherical copper block and a tapered copper block

Static Electricity Jump Ball

Quantity: 1

This device demonstrates static electricity by jumping of small balls between two charged plates

Electrostatic Precipitator

​Quantity: 1

This instrument uses a Wimshurst Machine to charge the copper wire surrounding the glass tube. The air molecules of the glass tube that are near the axis of the strong ionization field are formed into positive ions. As the smoke is negatively charged, it stays within the tube as the air molecules pulls it towards the walls of the glass tube due to the charged copper wires.

Magnectic Force on Conductor

Quantity: 1

Demonstration of behavior of current carrying conductor in the presence of a external magnetic field

DC Motor Kits

Quantity: 10

Basic working of DC motors and demonstration of principles of electricity, magnetism and electric motors

Lenz Law Spinning Disc

Quantity: 1

Demonstration of Lenz’s law where spinning disk comes to a stop when a magnet is brought close to the spinning disk

Lenz Law Apparatus

Quantity: 1

Demonstration of Lenz’s law

Faraday's Law Apparatus

Quantity: 1

Demonstration of Faraday’s law

Force Between Parallel Conductors Demonstration

Quantity: 1

Demonstration of magnetic force between two parallel current carrying conductors

Current Balance

Quantity: 1

Measurement of force felt by a current carrying wire in a magnetic field

Primary & Secondary Coils

Quantity: 2

Outer coils, inner coil and core for experiments on transformer coupling, inductive reactance and electromagnetism

Electromagnetism Induction

Quantity: 2

Demonstrates the effect of electromagnetic inductions based on several phenomena.

Year 1 Laboratory Equipment

Inclined Track

Quantity: 4

Study of motion along inclined plane for spheres/carts

Circular Potential Plate

Quantity: 2

Study of scattering of particles under the action of central mechanical potential

Air Track with Air Blower and Gliders

Quantity: 4

Study of linear motion of bodies, collisions, oscillations etc

Motion Sensor

Rotary Motion Sensor

Quantity: 4

Measures angular position, velocity and acceleration. Needs connection to PC and interface with specific software

Photogates and Picket Fences with Smart Timer

Monitor motion of objects passing through gate or picket fence.

Michelson Interferometer with He-Ne Laser

Quantity: 3

Optical schematic enabling interference of laser beams giving a distinct interference pattern.

Light Sensors

Quantity: 2

Sensors monitoring light intensity for interference and diffraction patterns. Need PC with interface and specific software

Microwave Transmitters & Receivers

Quantity: >5

Microwave transmitters (10.5GHz, 15mW) with DC adaptor. Battery powered (2xD) receivers

Basic Optics Diode Laser

Quantity: 2

650 nm diode laser , < 1mW output for basic optics applications

Student Spectrometer

Quantity: 4

For study of spectrum of elements using prism or diffraction grating. Typically used with sodium vapor lamp or spectral tubes

Function Generators

​Quantity: 3

Sine, triangle (0-20V pp) and square wave (0-10V pp) , DC output 0-10 V, frequency 0.001-99999 Hz

Oscilloscope

Quantity: 4

2 channels, 27 measurements, 60MHz bandwidth, 25kpoints, 1GSa/s, remote control via USB and RS-232

DC Power Supplies

Quantity: 2

DC power supply (0-18V, 0-3A) capable of constant voltage and constant current operation

Electronic Boards

Quantity: 6

AC/DC electronics board with 6mH inductor, rheostat, 3 small light bulbs and wire connectors.

Helmholtz Coils

​Quantity: 2

200 turn, 10 cm radius copper coils with a maximum current 2A with distance between coils adjustable

Magnetic Field Sensors

Quantity: 2

Measures magnetic field upto 1000 Gauss along axial and radial directions. Need PC with specific software for control and data acquisition