Measuring coins >

DENSITIES OF THE PHILIPPINE COINS

We use coins everyday. Many changes have been present in our national coins we use right now.

As a result, this has led to the different properties these coins have. After we measured the rice grains, which is a tedious task, we now moved on to measuring coins. Using calipers again, we sort of got a grip on how we should measure the coins. Measuring them were way, way easier than the rice grains. 

Anyway, as I've mentioned a while ago, our own coins have different properties, look: 

  Fig.1. Different Philippine coins. (source: images.delcampe.net)

It seems that as the value of the coin increases, it's diameter also increases. Of course, as we measure the properties we need to quantify, errors are present. That is, the "measurement" we will gather should always depend on the limitations of the devices we use for measuring plus our judgement on the reading. We (our group) were only able to measure 4 of the coins shown above (fig.1.), namely the:

 where:
          d = diameter                                   t = thickness
          d(in) = diameter of the inside        m = mass
                        

• 5-centavo coin: d=15.1 mm, d(in)  = 3.16 mm, t = 1.1 mm, m= 1.9g
• 25-centavo coin: d= 20 mm,  t = 1.6 mm, m= 3.8g
• 1-peso coin: d= 24 mm, t = 1.168 mm, m= 5.4g
• 5-peso coin: d= 27.16 mm,  t = 1.18 mm, m= 7.9g

Error propagation means that when one doesn't take account the uncertainty involved before using mathematical operations between his/her measured values (which are inherently uncertain),  the error will propagate. Basically, the computed value would have discrepancies from the expected value of measurement. It would probably be "away" by a matter of decimal places. Small, but the errors using operations might be big to be noticeable. To avoid these, one must continue the mathematical operations he/she started until he/she will reach the point where it is the final answer to all operations involved, rounding off with respect to the significant figures rule.

Only Authorized Personnel Are Allowed To Enter

THE RESEARCH WING

When you enter the NIP building at its main entrance and reached the lobby, a glassy building would probably be the first thing you'd see. That is the Research wing of the NIP. Many months ago, just before the first semester officially starts we entered the R-wing, we only got to see the "center" of it, took a picture around the big NIP logo on the floor then done.

Weeks ago, we visited it again. Our guides said that there are currently 6 laboratories here in the NIP:

1. Condensed Matter Physics Lab
2. Instrumentation Physics Lab
3. Structure and Dynamics Lab
4. Photonics Research Lab
5. Theoretical Physics Lab
6. Plasma Physics Lab

As we entered each of the labs, I realized that Physics is amazing. No kidding, it's amazing to be a physicist someday. I think I should say my brief insights upon entering. While inside the Condensed Matter Lab, especially the supercon, they showed us a video about a superconductor that levitates or suspends in midair when cooled to a certain temperature. Too bad, it's just a video, not the real thing. :(

The Instrumentation Lab (popularly known as "Instru") deals with the application of Physics in a more realistic way, such as their research on the telecom companies, gas companies, number of characters involved in a tweet, etc. They also have a group called "VISSER" which invents materials (e.g. motion detector / sensors) for high school students. I think that's remarkable because they help students appreciate science! "Instru" has the most groups or clusters among all the labs.

Upon entering Structure and Dynamics Group (SAND) Lab, it looks like a computer shop with a big whiteboard full of equations. (sorry for my first impression :D ). Little did I know, SAND specializes in computer simulations of different kinds of systems. Ah kaya pala..

On our lab tour as a class, we didn't get to see the best of Photonics lab. But they have cool lasers and machines there. But when we were the ones guiding high school students in the Photonics (in short we had the chance to see the lab again) we saw hologram of a girl. Ah, cool. :D

There is one thing that sets Theoretical Physics lab apart from other labs: THERE ARE NO "FANCY" MACHINES. But they have books, equations, books again, and a coffee maker. Yes and  they're proud of it. Also, I wonder why they have a salad book there. 

Finally, the Plasma lab. This lab studies about plasma, of course.The "thing" I remembered about this lab is the plasma pen. It looks like a rocket boost but it's safe for someone to touch it. 

These are just few of the things we did during the lab tour. My favorite labs (I'm thinking of entering one of these if there's a chance) were the Photonics lab and the IPL specifically VISSER. Pero ang Theory ang pinakamabango, amoy kape. In conclusion, all of the labs were really fascinating in their own way. 

And that's what makes NIP the Philippines' best physics institute.  

Kulang nalang ang golden ticket, RFID.

MY FIRST-EVER [and official] PHYSICS LAB CLASS!

Meanwhile in F106...

As the title says, this is my first-ever laboratory class that will show how experimental Physics actually is. Having my excitement on that day, I will share a short narrative on what happened on the first day...

It was Monday morning (of course, Monday blues included...) and while I'm on my way to NIP, the first thought that came to my mind was: "Yes, first day sa physics lab!". Also, CRS already posted who will be our professor in the lab. I saw that it is Sir Batac (Hi Sir! :D). I think many of my classmates already know him because he was our Physics 10 professor last semester. So my first-day jitters about our teacher didn't prolong. He introduced himself to the class and after that he asked us to introduced ourselves as well by following this format (as far as I remember):

•  Name:
• Course:
• High school attended: 

 and *drum roll*...

• WHY DID YOU CHOOSE PHYSICS / APPLIED PHYSICS?:

Well, the last question. I listened to each one of my classmates and we actually had different answers. Most of them love Physics ever since high school (I'm not one of them though..) :))

OKAY......

The orientation, just like every first meeting of every subject, basically involves stating the syllabus, the rules we should follow in class, grading system, and other formal stuff. But when we discussed what our coverage in experiments will be, another block of excitement piled up on a previous excited block. Especially we were surrounded by many measuring devices or instruments in the room. I hope we would try them all some day. :)