Abstract:

Advances in Information and Comunication Tecnologies have made possible to develope applications that allow a remote interaction with laboratory components either directly or through simulations. These aplications are of two types: virtual labs and remote labs. Virtual labs allow interaction with software that simulates the behaviour of laboratory equipment, while remotely controled laboratories (RCL) allow users to interact with real equipment using client-server comunication over Internet. In the last years a number of RCL have been developed, specially in engineering topics. There are, however, relatively few experiences of application to physics courses.

We present a RCL for the analysis of standing waves in a string, an important topic in physics courses at undergraduate level. The selection of the experiment was done taking into account various aspects: capability of full automatization and adecuation to the objectives of the physics course.
The experimental setup is located at the Physics Laboratory of the EPS (University of A Coruña). Commercially available apparatus from PASCO modified for remote operation has been used. A sound card is used as function generator and to record the analogical signal from the string. The students can enter the system through the web, and they are able to control the connected equipment. Interface software is used for communication between web server and the experimental equipment. A webcam is used to monitor the experiment.
We think that this kind of educational laboratories represents a promising way to complement standard lectures by introducing real, contemporary physics to the classroom reducing. RCL allows to reduce costs and the students may conduct their study in a more flexible way

Keywords:

Remotely Controled Laboratory, Physics, waves.