Intermediate Physics Lab

Lab Goals

The goals of this lab are to explore directly the principles of statistical inference in random processes, particularly the standard deviation of the mean for a set of measurements. These techniques are then applied to a specific problem of sampling using a Monte Carlo technique to determine the geometric constant pi.

Lab Manifest

• Working version of MATLAB
• Lab Handout

General Instructions

The lab handout, linked above, gives detailed instructions for this lab. It also poses a series of questions which need to be answered in your log book, along with any tables and figures requested.

Code Assignment

In addition to the instructions posed in the lab handout, please email me your final function which generates the array of pi values as a function of number of samples N and sample size M. I want to try running this myself to see that you get reasonable results, as well as to look at your specific algorithm. You don't need to send me anything else, however.

Errata

It probably still doesn't make too much sense to work with a partner for this lab, although it is fine to discuss problems with other students or your TA. Each student needs to turn in their own notebook and code demonstrating that they have worked on this lab.