A physics laboratory requires both safety awareness and equipment competence.
Safety hierarchy
- Eliminate the hazard if possible.
- Substitute with a safer alternative.
- Engineering controls (fume hoods, shields).
- Administrative controls (procedures, training).
- Personal protective equipment (goggles, gloves).
Common lab instruments
| Instrument | Measures | Typical resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Vernier caliper | Length | mm |
| Micrometer | Thickness | mm |
| Digital balance | Mass | g |
| Multimeter | , , | Varies by range |
| Oscilloscope | Time-varying signals | s resolution |
Reading instruments
- Analogue: Read to half the smallest division.
- Digital: The last displayed digit is the resolution.
- Vernier scales: The aligned mark on the vernier gives the extra digit.
Lab notebook rules
- Record all data directly in the notebook, never on loose paper.
- Write in pen — cross out mistakes, don't erase.
- Include date, setup sketch, and units for every measurement.
Tip: Before starting an experiment, estimate the expected result. If your measurement is wildly different, check for setup errors before repeating.
Common pitfall: Instrument placement is physics, not convention: an ammeter across a source is a short circuit; a voltmeter in series blocks the current it should measure. Know each meter’s internal resistance and the rule explains itself.