Experimental Definition and 527 Threads

An experiment is a procedure carried out to support or refute a hypothesis. Experiments provide insight into cause-and-effect by demonstrating what outcome occurs when a particular factor is manipulated. Experiments vary greatly in goal and scale, but always rely on repeatable procedure and logical analysis of the results. There also exists natural experimental studies.
A child may carry out basic experiments to understand how things fall to the ground, while teams of scientists may take years of systematic investigation to advance their understanding of a phenomenon. Experiments and other types of hands-on activities are very important to student learning in the science classroom. Experiments can raise test scores and help a student become more engaged and interested in the material they are learning, especially when used over time. Experiments can vary from personal and informal natural comparisons (e.g. tasting a range of chocolates to find a favorite), to highly controlled (e.g. tests requiring complex apparatus overseen by many scientists that hope to discover information about subatomic particles). Uses of experiments vary considerably between the natural and human sciences.
Experiments typically include controls, which are designed to minimize the effects of variables other than the single independent variable. This increases the reliability of the results, often through a comparison between control measurements and the other measurements. Scientific controls are a part of the scientific method. Ideally, all variables in an experiment are controlled (accounted for by the control measurements) and none are uncontrolled. In such an experiment, if all controls work as expected, it is possible to conclude that the experiment works as intended, and that results are due to the effect of the tested variables.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. T

    HIGH (800C+) wall temperature measurements - experimental help

    HIGH (800C+) wall temperature measurements - experimental help! Hi All - I'm seeking some advice from any experimentalist types. I'm working on a project analyzing heat transfer properties of exotic fluids. We have a simple experimental setup: laminar flow in a small diameter stainless steel...
  2. A

    Physics ME to Experimental or Theoretical Astrophysics?

    Hi guys, I have a few questions that's been bugging me for a while and finally decided to post it in hopes to get some feedback. Tech background: Mechanical engineer BS, will be getting MASc. in ME as well. Although my degree is ME, my focus in undergrad had been on CNC machines/CAD and my...
  3. R

    Projectile Motion Experimental Error

    Homework Statement We carried out an experiment where we launched a steel ball at different degrees. We then calculated the launch speeds for each launch angle. We got a percentage difference of 2.8% between the "most different" values. What are two qualitative reasons for this error...
  4. C

    Looking for empirical equation in experimental data

    I am an engineer student working in nuclear research. I am performing some experiments looking for an empirical equation to apply to results in a test section, but am having trouble making a mental leap. Here is the core of the problem with all of the engineering 'fat' trimmed off: I have a...
  5. T

    Flat Back Trailing Edge Experimental Data

    Does anybody have any experimental data on flat back airfoils. I would like to know the experimental data, experimental setup and initial flow parameters etc. In case if you find it from a report I would be glad if you can give some information regarding the report, such as author, report name...
  6. B

    Courses Struggling with Experimental Physics Labs?

    Experimental Physics Courses?? Hi everyone, I have some problems with Experimental Physics courses. I'm senior physics student and I have taken 2 experimental course (out of 3) so far. In my university we spend six hours doing one experiment and submit a report at the end of the lab. The...
  7. K

    Physics Question Concerning Experimental Particle Astrophysics.

    I am a third year graduate student in physics. I came here wanting to do Theoretical studies of dark matter. But there really isn't much money in that. Plus the fact that only first year TA's get jobs in the summer hurts alot. I heard the job outlook for Theoretical Physicist isn't that great...
  8. Vectronix

    Experimental observations of anti-atoms and/or anti-molecules

    Since the possibility exists that a positron can fall into the well of potential surrounding an anti-proton, it begs the question, have any anti-atoms or anti-molecules been observed in a laboratory or elsewhere? If so, where can I find any description or details of the observations?
  9. arivero

    Experimental measurements of decays into two photos that I have missed

    Is there some rumour about experimental measurements of decays into two photos that I have missed?
  10. fluidistic

    Linear thermal expansion, theoretical instead of experimental

    Is there a known formula or method to find the linear coefficient of thermal expansion for all materials? I'm curious about what are the variables.
  11. R

    Experimental tests of the stress energy tensor

    hi, I wonder if the stress energy tensor formulation of general relativity has been well experimentally verified, since the schwarzchild metric is used most of the time. for example, is there any experimental evidence that an increase of the pressure with the same energy density, increases...
  12. C

    Experimental percent error in kinetic energy for elastic collision

    Homework Statement Experimental percent error in kinetic energy : (Ki -Kf)/Ki*100% = My Ki - 128.35 J Kf = -8.926J - which I am still not sure if it should be negative or positive. This is for a linear track with two carts. First, I determined Velocity from the equation of the line. Then...
  13. MTd2

    Experimental Search for Quantum Gravity - Talks online now

    http://prime-spot.de/ESQG10/program.html Comments: http://backreaction.blogspot.com/2010/10/experimental-search-for-quantum-gravity.html
  14. D

    Program to search for curves which fit experimental data

    Does anyone remember a program (or know of something similar!) which, given a compilation of data, would search for equations which best fit the data? The one I'm thinking of came out ~ a year ago. It was a Windows-only program but it worked fine under wine. Unfortunately my time spent on...
  15. A

    Plotting T-s Diagram Using Experimental Values

    Dear all This is my first post in Physics Forum, so please do pardon if I do anything wrong. Homework Statement I have done an experiment using the following "Steam Power Plant". http://www.turbinetechnologies.com/steam.html I have managed to obtain pressure readings and...
  16. R

    Experimental data in relativity

    hi, I am doing a project on special relativity (im 17, doing A level maths, further maths and physics) for this project, I need to analyse some data. can anyone tell me where on Earth you can find data from experiments which give empirical evidence of special relativity, like muons...
  17. D

    Experimental Error on a quadratic

    Hello, I'm looking to derive the error of a quadratic equation as a function of x. y=ax2+bx+c y is measured and variables a,b,c have an associated error Da,Db,Dc To solve for x you complete the square. x=&\pm\sqrt{\dfrac{y-c}{a}+\dfrac{b^{2}}{4a^{2}}}\mp\dfrac{b}{2a} If the variables y,c...
  18. A

    From experimental to theoretical

    from experimental to theoretical :) Hey guys , I'm an electrical engineering sophomore from Egypt , with very good physical and mathematical background , I've always had GREAT passion in physics (cosmology) , and this year I've done research in Astrophysics working on Pulsars and Magnetars...
  19. F

    Experimental value of planck's constant

    Can i know what may account for the difference between our experimental value of Planck's constant and the accepted value of it? Did anything related to the light effect(it surrounding when we doing our experiment)??
  20. B

    Best experimental techniques to learn for a future postdoc/lecturership/job?

    What are the best things to learn during your PhD in terms of helping you get a job in physics afterwards? Spectroscopy? FPGA Programming? Vacuum techniques? Nanofabrication? etc. Please give some examples with reasons.
  21. H

    Experimental evidence against Gauss' law

    I have a 5mm diameter, 10mm long magnet, a short (6mm) coil of 50mm diameter, and an oscilloscope. When I move the magnet through the coil, the oscilloscope shows that the signal (voltage) looks pretty much like the derivative of a Gaussian function. So there must be magnetic flux maximum when...
  22. K

    Couple magnetic experimental questions

    So I am considering attempting to build a couple of projects to fill in some time, and I am looking for critiques and help on creating these.. Both deal with spherical metal balls (most likely iron, or maybe even a magnet) and a magnetic field. 1. I would like to make something like a...
  23. C

    Graduate Student: Career Advice, I hate experimental physics

    I am currently a graduate student, have a MS in physics, and have passed my comprehensive exams. Most of my credits are done -- I only have my dissertation credits to do. So far all my work has been in experimental physics, in the region of plasma physics. I have recently realized that I...
  24. rhody

    Sounds of experimental data at the LHC

    http://lhcsound.hep.ucl.ac.uk/page_library/SoundsLibrary.html" This above link that has 17 different sounds: and http://www.physorg.com/news196520209.html" Rhody... :wink: P.S. They use every trick in the book to give the data analysis team(s) every advantage not to miss...
  25. marcus

    Experimental QG Search talks (what does the Stockholm lineup tell us?)

    Can we learn anything about the status of QG phenomenology by checking out the abstracts for the July talks? Bee Hossenfelder, who occasionally posts here, has organized a conference, set for 12-16 July, on Experimental Search for Quantum Gravity. Just as a side comment: a lot of conferences...
  26. T

    Experimental Evidence for M-Theory

    I am A Ph.D em Chemistry and not so good in High Mathematics than most of you. Therefore forgive me if, if my idea is a little bit naive. Superparticles as an evidence are dificult to create, because of hughe energy ammounts necessary for it. But I was told that our STRINGS are much, much...
  27. D

    Volunteers for an Experimental Teaching Tool

    I am starting a project to develop, with a very diverse team, an open source, modular, web-based teaching tool for math, science, and engineering courses. Here is a link to the full project description...
  28. T

    Experimental determination of ground state configuration

    Ok so I've been wondering, how is it that physicist's EXPERIMENTALLY determine the ground state configuration of electrons in a particular atom? In other words do they use emission spectra/thermodynamic calculations/etc? Also, if ground state represents an atom's minimal energy state, which...
  29. P

    Experimental verification of GR: Light bending

    Can anyone point me to a good source using the Schwarzschild metric that gives Einsteins predicted result of the measurement in Principe?
  30. M

    Experimental Determination of Speed of Sound in Steel and Aluminum Rods

    Homework Statement For my physics lab, we have to calculate the speed of sound through steel and aluminum based on an experiment we did using a microphone and a program called Logger Pro. The resulting graphs gave the frequency of the sound of the aluminum rod as 2109.38 Hz, and the frequency...
  31. C

    Experimental Buffer Capacity Calculation

    I know that buffer capacity is defined as the ability of a buffer to resist pH change. I'm trying to calculate the buffer capacity of my buffer. I added NaOH to it until a significant change in pH, usually about 2 units. So when I calculate, should I do exp. buffer capacity = (moles NaOH /...
  32. I

    Experimental test of the Uncertainty principle

    Sorry if this question has already been asked many times, but I found no answer after a quick search. Have already made an experimental test of the Heisenberg's inequalities: \Delta p \Delta x \geq \hbar I'm quite sure our instruments' imprecision are larger than Planck's constant, but I...
  33. J

    Experimental measurement of Einstein's Field Equations

    Experimental "measurement" of Einstein's Field Equations The question is essentially: What if we took a strictly experimentalist view, and considered a phenomenological model for gravity that is a "generalization" of EFE: R_{\mu \nu} - C_1\ g_{\mu \nu}\,R + C_2\ g_{\mu \nu} \Lambda = C_3\...
  34. W

    Question about the experimental behavior of entangled particles.

    I have been reading quite a bit about bell pairs lately and would like to know about the actual experimental behavior of them. Here is a summary of my current understanding: Take two particles A and B entangled in such a way as the spin of each is opposite to the other, or in other words, a...
  35. A

    Choosing Between Theoretical and Experimental Physics: Factors to Consider

    i was wondering what the major differences between a bsc in theoretical Physics and experimental physics.. and if you are in one please indicate why you chose that one over the other?
  36. T

    Merging theoretical and experimental physics: the 'correct' standard model

    It is my understanding that the world of physics is split by a fast chasm into experimental and theoretical physics. The first time I told my father I wanted to be a physicist, he asked me “experimental or theoretical physics?” I thought for a second and responded “both!” He went on to explain...
  37. M

    Increasing the volume of solution lowers experimental error?

    Homework Statement This was part of a lab i preformed to determine rate law for HCl and Mg. 50 mL of 0.5M, 1M, 1.5M and 2M HCl solutions were made using water and this was used with Mg ribbon to find the rate law. The same 0.5M, 1M, 1.5M, 2M HCl solutions were made in 100mL solution that...
  38. R

    Calculating Theoretical & Experimental pH Values of NaNO2 Solution

    Hello, thanks for reading. I am solving a lab problem that involves calculating a theoretical pH value, then testing the experimental pH in a lab with tap water that is not the expected pH 7, and comparing the values. I am determining the theoretical pH value of a 0.1M concentration of...
  39. G

    Experimental data interpolation in COMSOL

    Here's a question for the COMSOL whizzes: I'm using the COMSOL 3.5a Diffusion Toolbox. I have a 1D reaction-diffusion model that is controlled by a catalyst. The spatial distribution of catalyst along the 1D space is independent of the other chemical species and I have data for the...
  40. K

    Hall Effect Experimental Results Issue

    One of the simple experiments for simply observing Hall effect was done. However, I have a problem with the experimental results (attached .xls) First the current in the solenoid was varied while the current in the Hall Probe was constant. Then the current in the Hall Probe was varied while...
  41. U

    Physics Where do experimental particle physicists work?

    Where do experimental particle physicists work like those working in lattice quantum chromodynamics for example and other experimental particle physicists?
  42. O

    Experimental Design - test your skills

    There are 14 bottles of wine and one is tainted such that, a single sip of the tainted bottle is lethal. It takes up to 24 hours for full effect of the toxicity. If you have only 4 lab animals to test all 14 bottles of wine; what experimental design might you use, to determine which bottle was...
  43. I

    Math with experimental uncertainties

    Why is it that if you have two data points a \pm b and c \pm d whose uncertainties are symmetrically distributed, the sum of the points is a+c \pm \sqrt{b^2+d^2} Can someone please help me with this derivation. Also, another separate question, suppose I have many uncertain data...
  44. Y

    Exploring Experimental Evidence of Loop Quantum Gravity

    Hello everyone, does anybody of you know, whether there are some publications/blog entries/ideas/anything on possibilities of experimental verification/falsification of Loop Quantum Gravity at collider experiments? I know, there are predictions that can be tested with astrophysical...
  45. C

    Experimental tests of General relativity vs Cartan extension

    First, if there are tests that have ruled one way or the other, that pretty much ends this discussion. I couldn't find any, but if they exist please point them out here. That leaves the discussion of: 1) How could these been distinguished experimentally, and 2) How precise do tests have...
  46. K

    Experimental result for induced pluripotent cells

    Hi guys, can you guys point to me what are the recent experimental results that show that cells can be induced to make a pluripotent cells?
  47. K

    Experimental evidence of Gauss's law in electrodynamics?

    In electrostatic case, Gauss's law can be derived from Columb's law, so we can regard experimental evidence for Columb's law as evidence of Gauss's law. But what about non-static case? In this case we know columb's law is no longer valid, so we need experimental evidence to justify Gauss's law...
  48. S

    Hypothesizing on photon mode of travel in double slit or similar experimental setups

    Delayed choice in half silvered mirror or double slit For now, I am focussing only on the half silvered mirror: there are two paths/arms that are created. My question is: 1. If a detector/obstruction is placed on either of the two paths after the photon has passed but before its hit...
  49. P

    Need a Topic For Experimental Investigation

    Hey everyone, New to the forum - I apologize if you already get heaps of posts like these... Im in Year 12 Physics, and out first assessment piece is related to the physics of sport. It's a typical physics project -> hypothesis, testing, report...etc We're looking at anything relating to...
  50. S

    Experimental realization of Stern-Gerlach SGy filter

    I have been reviewing Sakurai's treatment of the SG experiment by analogy with polarized light, and I realized that I am not sure that I really understand how to construct in a laboratory the SG_{y} filter to produce and separate the \left|S_{y};\pm\right\rangle states that are analogous to...
Back
Top