PHYS 331: Junior Physics Laboratory I
Additional Sources
You will probably want to supplement the course notes and the experimental descriptions
with some of the readings listed here. A trip to the library would doubtless turn up other useful
references.
Several of the listed references are available in the lab rooms. As a courtesy to your fellow
students, do not remove them, even briefly.
1.Statistical Methods
"Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the Physical Sciences" by P. R. Bevington and D. K.
Robinson is the primary text for the course and a good reference for professional scientists. It is
available in the campus store. You should read Chap. 1-4, 6.1-6.5 and 11.1 as the need arises
during the semester. Scan Chap. 8, on curve fitting, to get a general idea of how curve-fitting
programs work.
"Statistical Treatment of Experimental Data" by Hugh D. Young treats basic statistical analysis
methods at a lower level than Bevington.
Specialized material on nuclear counting statistics is contained in the course notes and in the
book by Leo (see below).
2. Electronic Technology
"The Art of Electronics" by Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill is an excellent general reference for
both analog and digital circuitry. Emphasis is on practical application, rather than detailed
analysis, making it particularly appropriate for lab scientists.
"Basic Electronics for Scientists" by James J. Brophy is an older, less sophisticated introduction
to the more basic aspects of circuits and devices.
The texts used in ELEC 326, Digital Logic Design, and ELEC 342, Electronic Circuits, may be
helpful on specific points, particularly in consultation with an EE student. There is also a large
hobbyist literature, available through electronic supply outlets.
1
3. Particle Detectors and Counting
"Techniques for Nuclear and Particle Physics Experiments" by W. R. Leo provides a good
introduction to the technology of particle detection and related electronics. It is one of the few
available "textbooks" for the subject, and the only modern one.
4. General
"Experiments in Modern Physics" by A. C. Melissinos discusses a number of now-classic
advanced-lab experiments. The technology is clearly dated, but the analyses are still cogent.
"Projects and Investigations: The Practice of Physics" by Robert E. Vermillion considers the
design of experiments, data analysis, reports and presentations.
"Successful Lab Reports" by C. S. Lobban and M. Schefter describes the elements of a formal
lab report in some detail. The flavor is biological but the principles are definitely universal.
2