Tawara Physics Practical Workshops
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Laboratory Equipment
Here are some examples of equipment you will use in the physics and engineering laboratories as you do your experimental work in the first year. It is not a complete list, but you will find more detailed instruuctions for using the equipment in the manuals that we have produced for each lab-work experiment. For each piece of equipment, interactive tutorals and activities are provided for you to check your understanding of their use.
Vernier Scales
Vernier scales are used in several applications. You will use them in the lab when using callipers, angular Vernier scales and travelling microscopes. They allow the user to read off values with greater precision than when using more basic scales.
On a measuring device with a Vernier scale, this latter lies next to the main scale. It is designed so that ten of its divisions equal nine of those on the main scale. A rough reading can be taken on the main scale and this can then be refined by measuring a more precise value on the Vernier scale.
Vernier Scale Callipers 
These may be used to measure the:
external diameter of an object
internal diameter 
depth of a cavity
small angles for setting up e.g. an astronomical telescope.
Vernier scales may provide readouts on a linear scale, using an analogue dial or with a digital display. The analogue display calliper provides the final readout on a dial, while the digital ones replace the dial with an electronic display.
Micrometers
These are used to make precise measurements of small objects. They also have a main (coarse) scale and a fine scale to refine the measurement. The micrometer will be equipped with a friction screw to tighten the jaws onto the object to be measured. The friction screw ensures the jaws do not overtighten on the object and possibly damage it. A locking lever locks the jaws in place once fixed on the object to be measured. The first reading is taken on the coarse scale and this is then refined by turning the “thimble” on the end which provides the fine reading by moving the jaws by 0.5mm for each rotation. 
Digital Multimeters
These can be used to measure various properties of electrical circuits. These properties include voltage, current and resistance. To measure the current, you would use the multimeter as an ammeter. You will also use one to measure voltage, or resistance using it as an ohmmeter. Detailed instructions for connecting up the multimeter for its different functions are included in the interactive tutorials. In general, if you are unsure about the range of measurements you are taking, it is better to start with a high setting and work towards a lower one.
Function Generator
Also known as a signal generator, this device can produce various patterns of voltage at different frequencies and amplitude. You can use it to test the response of a circuit to known signal inputs. Using a signal generator, you can produce sine, square or triangular waves and view these by connecting to an oscilloscope. See the interactive tutorials to check your understanding before connecting and using the signal generator in your lab sessions.
Oscilloscope
As already mentioned, this piece of equipment will be used to display the output, for example, from a signal generator in visual form. A digital display will represent in two dimensions one or more potential differences. This will usually be voltage on the vertical axis (Y-axis) plotted against time on the horizontal axis (X-axis). The display will scan repeatedly from left to right across the screen to make a trace or “waveform”.
These are just some of the items of equipment you will use in your experiments in the first year of lab work. You should familiarise yourself with them and their functions through the interactive tutorials and activities linked to this introduction.
Laboratory Notebook Skills
You will also need to keep notes of your experiments in your lab report notebook. Conventions for keeping and presenting lab reports can be found in the tutorial, [insert link to tutorial here] but you should also consult your lab supervisor. 
Why Do We Need Lab Books? 
To keep a record of what you found, how you did it and what you think. An essential part of experimental science is a well-maintained lab book which records all your work. It is a place for you to record your data and the procedure you undertook. It is the place to write down all your ideas and your findings, even if, at the time, you think they are unimportant. In essence it contains all the evidence for your findings and your logical deductions. The lab book is evidence of good laboratory practice.
A good lab book ensures that your colleagues can clearly follow your procedures and understand your logic. 
The lab book is evidence
The lab book is a resource 
The lab book is NOT a copy of the experimental script
The lab book is a bound A4 notebook. 
You may alternatively keep a digital copy of your lab book using software we recommend.