Module: Physics Laboratory 2 (PDITP)

Module Specifications

Academic Year 2026 - 2027

Module Title	Physics Laboratory 2 (PDITP)
Module Code	PHY1068 (ITS: PS482)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Physical Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module aims to provide students with experience of carrying out experimental investigations. Students will undertake physics experiments associated with discipline content modules; in order to enhance their practical skills, and to develop and enhance their inquiry-based teaching and learning in physics practical work. The laboratories complement and reinforce the theory covered in physics lecture modules, and in so doing, demonstrate the important synergy of classroom and laboratory teaching in physics education. The laboratories enhance student's ability and familiarity with related equipment and experiments.The laboratories place emphasis on communication during and after experimentation, analysing experimental uncertainty, graphing and tabulation and evidenced-based reasoning. Students also carry out their own physics inquiry in order to develop their experimental design skills and to get experience of completing a full inquiry cycle.

Learning Outcomes

1. Carry out physics experiments safely
2. Carry out basic investigations in physics independently.
3. Identify connections between experiment and theory of physics concepts
4. State and test hypotheses
5. Collect and interpret scientific data
6. Plot and analyse graphs both manually and computer-aided
7. Report on experimental investigations
8. Identify sources of error in an experiment and estimate the associated uncertainty in a measured quantity
9. Reflect on learning
10. Carry out an experimental inquiry around a physics topic of their choosing.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Laboratory	32	Laboratory 1-4 students complete physics experiments associated with discipline content modules to enhance their practical skills. The laboratories complement and reinforce the theory covered in physics lecture modules. The laboratories enhance student's ability and familiarity with related equipment and experiments.The laboratories place emphasis on communication during and after experimentation, analysing experimental uncertainty, graphing and tabulation and evidenced-based reasoning.
Laboratory	16	Laboratory 5&6, students carry out their own physics inquiry in order to develop their experimental design skills and to gain experience of completing a full inquiry cycle.
Independent Study	77	Student self-directed learning
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11323	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Eilish McLoughlin	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Laboratory Portfolio	Submission of laboratory report for each experiment conducted in Semester 1	50%	Sem 1 End
Laboratory Portfolio	Submission of laboratory report for experiments conducted in Semester 2	10%	As required
Project	Submission of report on physics inquiry project	40%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Laboratory 1
Forces, elastics, modelling non-uniform motion

Laboratory 2
Electrical Power, Electrical Circuits, Semiconductor Diodes

Laboratory 3
Smartphone physics (resonance, measuring g by freefall and pendulum, speed of sound, light intensity, gas pressure, damped harmonic motion)

Laboratory 4
Newton’s 2nd Law, Conservation of Momentum, Wavelength of light, Electrical Resistance and Resistivity, Properties of Lenses, Measurement of g

Laboratory 5 & 6
Students work on design and completion of their physics inquiry.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

H. D. Young and R. A. Freedman, University Physics (with Mastering Physics),, 15th edition Ed. Ed., Addison Wesley: 0,
Eugenia Etkina, Gorazd Planinsic and Alan Van Heuvelen 2019, College Physics: Explore and Apply, 2nd Ed. [ISBN: 978- 01346018]: 0,
DCU 2nd Year Physics Laboratory Manual: 0, DCU 2nd Year Physics Laboratory Manual,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Online simulations: Phet simulations,
421251: 1, Phyphox Mobile Physics Laboratory,
https://phyphox.org/: 421252, 1, Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite,
https://www.vieyrasoftware.net/: