Physics Olympiad Experimental Tutorial

Author: Qing Yiping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-06-01
Features: This book is a companion volume to the "Physics Olympiad Tutorial" (Theory) written by coaches of the Hunan Provincial Physics Competition Training Base for Middle School Students. The authors have previously published "Physics Olympiad Experimental Tutorial" in 1995. Over the years, participants in our province who studied this "tutorial" have achieved outstanding results in competitions (including three consecutive national physics experiment champions and a total of five international gold medals). This demonstrates that the book is indeed a unique and excellent one. After seven years of tailored teaching and summarizing years of teaching experience, the authors revised and added new content to the original "tutorial," resulting in this new edition of "Physics Olympiad Experimental Tutorial." This book introduces regression analysis in data processing, adds instruments such as rigid body rotation experiment apparatus and spectrometers in instrument introductions, includes new basic experimental methods like analytical method, Latte method, pin method, and star-angle transformation method in basic experimental techniques, adds 14 new experiments in special topics, and supplements questions and solutions from the 12th to the 18th National Physics Competition Finals (1995–2001). The book selects materials based on the experimental foundation part of the "Outline of the National Middle School Physics Competition" formulated by the China Physics Society's National Middle School Physics Competition Committee. It is a systematic experimental textbook covering error theory, basic experimental instruments, basic experimental methods, national final competition experimental questions, and several special experiments in mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, and optics. Through these special experiments, the book emphasizes how to analyze physical phenomena, establish physical experimental models, uncover implicit conditions in experiments, and find the best experimental design and multiple experimental approaches. These special experiments lay a solid foundation for students to transition from memory-based, bookish, and imitative learning to thinking-based, competitive, and innovative learning. The content of this book is concise, novel, and unique, with topics that are both broad and deep. Many of the experimental questions created by the authors have been used as training materials for past international Olympiad gold, silver, and bronze medalists. For example, "Experiment Twenty-Two" in the mechanics and thermodynamics section is a test question designed to distinguish competitive students. Based on the author's experience, those who can derive experimental formulas within 2–5 minutes possess the potential to be selected for the provincial team. Another example is "Experiment Twelve" in the electricity section, which even international gold medalists struggled with in just 20 minutes. Each special experimental question in this book presents challenges and thresholds, with no straightforward experiments. Through these "hurdles," former trainees have broken through mental barriers, sparked inspiration, and improved their abilities. Readers are encouraged to focus on fundamental training while studying this book, ensuring rigorous analysis, holistic thinking, and flexible approaches to develop strong experimental skills. By overcoming these challenges, readers can elevate themselves and join the ranks of successful individuals, striving to achieve scientific excellence in this century and uphold the pride of the Chinese nation. Yang Huan, the gold medalist in the 33rd International Physics Olympiad and a former student of Hunan Normal University Affiliated High School, wrote a review of the "Physics Olympiad Experimental Tutorial" upon learning of its new edition's publication. This review is appended to the book and is hoped to inspire future readers. This book can serve as a training manual for competition preparation, a supplementary guide for middle school students seeking self-improvement, and a reference for physics teachers in middle schools and physics majors in teacher training universities. During the writing process, the authors referred to materials such as the annual "National Middle School Physics Competition Reference Materials" compiled by the National Middle School Physics Competition Committee Office and received enthusiastic assistance from comrades like Yu Lu and Liang Lu. The editor-in-chief Liao Jianjun provided many valuable suggestions, and the authors extend their gratitude to all of them.