Data acquisition system for undergraduate physics laboratory

This thesis describes an automated data acquisition system based on a personal computer that has been modified for use as a scientific instrument in an undergraduate physics laboratory. Two demonstration experiment have been designed to explain how the system functions and how it may be utilized in a laboratory setting.An experiment in optical spectroscopy will allow students to automatically scan the spectra of a light source and collect data concerning wavelength and line intensity. The computer system displays the information in graphical format and saves the data on floppy disks for further analysis.The second experiment studies the heat flow along a cylindrical copper rod. Eight thermocouples, located along the length of the rod, monitor temperature as a function of time. A known heat source is attached to one end of the rod and the other end is maintained at room temperature. Both the transient and stead-state behavior of the temperature distribution is studied. The acquired data is presented graphically and saved on floppy disk for further analysis. These two experiments will be used in the Modern Physics Laboratory course, PHYCS 262.Department of Physics and AstronomyThesis (M.S.