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Practical Physics

Practical Physics

Practical Physics

4th Edition
G. L. Squires, University of Cambridge
November 2001
Available
Paperback
9780521779401
AUD$91.95
inc GST
Paperback
USD
eBook

    Practical Physics demonstrates the purposive and critical approach that should be made to all experimental work in physics. It does not describe a systematic course of experiments, but is intended as a companion to any undergraduate course of practical work. The text is in three parts. The first deals with the statistical treatment of data, the second with experimental methods, and the third with such essential matters as keeping efficient records, accuracy in calculations, and scientific writing. The text is liberally illustrated with examples and exercises, with solutions to the latter. The new edition includes a treatment of the χ2 distribution, a section on atomic clocks, worked examples based on spreadsheets, and additional exercises. Existing examples and references have been brought up to date. Although intended for undergraduates, Practical Physics has proved of interest to school-students, teachers, and researchers, not only in physics, but also in other branches of science.

    • An ideal companion to any undergraduate course in practical physics
    • Demonstrates a purposive and critical approach to experimental work
    • Deals with the statistical treatment of data, an essential skill for physics students

    Reviews & endorsements

    'Dr Squires has made a very worthwhile contribution to the surprisingly small number of modern textbooks available on this subject.' New Scientist

    'I envy Squire's students! All other students should wish to own this book for the wealth of advice it gives them …'. Contemporary Physics

    'This is a quite invaluable book for those at, or nearing, undergraduate level.' The Times Educational Supplement

    '… a distillation of the wisdom acquired through many years of undergraduate teaching and will surely establish itself as an integral feature of physics courses and associated teaching laboratories all over the world.' British Book News

    See more reviews

    Product details

    November 2001
    Paperback
    9780521779401
    228 pages
    246 × 189 × 12 mm
    0.664kg
    74 b/w illus. 19 tables
    Available

    Table of Contents

    • Preface
    • 1. The object of practical physics
    • Part I. Statistical Treatment of Data:
    • 2. Introduction to errors
    • 3. Treatment of a single variable
    • 4. Further topics in statistical theory
    • 5. Common sense in errors
    • Part II. Experimental Methods:
    • 6. Some laboratory instruments and methods
    • 7. Some experimental techniques
    • 8. Experimental logic
    • 9. Common sense in experiments
    • Part III. Record and Calculations:
    • 10. Record of the experiment
    • 11. Graphs
    • 12. Arithmetic
    • 13. Writing a paper
    • Appendices
    • Solutions to exercises
    • Some useful books
    • References
    • Index.
      Author
    • G. L. Squires , University of Cambridge

      Gordon L Squires has been a Lecturer in Physics at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Trinity College Cambridge since 1956. Since then he has been a Visiting Professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1970) and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1977-78).