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Pre-Lab Week 2�(due two hours before Lab 1C)

UCLA Physics Department

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Error propagation/Covariance matrix

Error propagation is an important concept. Go over these videos/notebooks to understand how to apply the principles and use code to extract meaningful values.

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Notebooks for each of these can be found in the practice folder:

Physics_4AL_2023-24/Practice Notebooks

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This video gives an overview of the error propagation principles you will use throughout the quarter.

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This video will go over the covariance matrix of the np.polyfit() function and teach you how to extract the uncertainty/error in the slope and intercept.

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Reading data and 2D arrays (review)

  • Watch this video on 2D arrays and this video on reading in csv data files into Python.

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Plotting and fitting (review)

This video reviews plotting in Python.

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This video will go over np.polyfit which will help with polynomial fitting of datasets. In 4AL we will use both linear and quadratic fitting (and explore non-polynomial fitting later).

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Downloads and references

  • Arduino IDE download (Version 1.8.x)
  • Arduino Reference
    • https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/
    • Contains all the references for functions and variables

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Pre-Lab Assignment Submission

  • You should now have enough understanding of error propagation and the covariance matrix to complete the pre-lab assignment for week 2.
  • In addition, perform some simple calculations on the measurement of the speed of sound.
  • Submit the following Jupyter Notebook to Gradescope:
    • Physics_4AL_2023-24/Assignments/Pre-Labs/Pre-Lab-Week-2.ipynb

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