Exploring signal sampling techniques through an optical experiment. The reconstruction of an optical image of a simple pattern matched to a diffraction grating is proposed as an example of data analysis by digital method. Correspondence between analysis of time dependent digital signals and of spatial digital functions is outlined. […]
A variation of the “classical” experiment for the measurement of Planck’s constant h using LEDs was proposed at the 2018 AI F Summer school of L’Aquila. This variation, in which the discharge of a capacitor provides the needed variable voltage and the measurements are made with an Arduino board, […]
This experiment demonstrates the photoconductive effect for Si and Ge samples illuminated by quasi monochromatic light. The vanishing of the effect for longer wavelengths allows a qualitative estimation of the fotonductive threshold which is related to the energy gap of the material. […]
The inverted torsional pendulum (often used as a tool to study non-linear oscillations and the transition to deterministic chaos) is here compared to an electric non-linear oscillator which shows a quite similar dynamic behaviour: the motion equation of the second system is exactly described by the Duffing equation, […]
This article describes a simple method to experiment the relation Q/V=const, by means of the direct measurement of Q and V. The necessary equipment can be easily found in any physics laboratory, as it is basically made of a 0-600V dc generator, […]
In this work it is shown how it is possible to build a simple device: the dripping faucet. This physical system exhibits an extremely interesting dynamic behaviour, useful to introduce the subject of deterministic chaos in high schools […]
Triboluminescence was studied using a self-built 8-litre vacuum chamber operated at a pressure of about 1mtorr. Luminescence is observed in the chamber along the peeling line of an unrolled adhesive tape. The tribo-mechanism produced electrons and X-rays are revealed by the intense luminescence of a BGO crystal positioned close to the peeling line. […]