Lab 02 - Virtual Reality Charged Particles

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University of Colorado, Denver *

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2010

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Physics

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Apr 3, 2024

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pdf

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8

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Lab 2 - Virtual Reality Charged Particles Goals • To familiarize students with the NOMR environment and Meta Quest console. • Design and conduct an experiment with well determined independent and dependent variables to test if the simulated charged particles interact according to Coulomb's law. • Estimate random or instrumental uncertainties for measurements. • Create a set of graphs to understand how to linearize a plot. • Make a judgment of the validity of the model being tested based on a well-reasoned argument. • Make qualitative observations of general behavior of the fictitious “Minty particles” that are simulated in the VR. • Synthesize the observations and measurements to develop an empirical model that describes the “minty” particle interactions. Introduction Your goal in this lab today is to quantitatively test whether the interactions between charged particles in a virtual reality (VR) lab obey Coulomb's law. Once that is accomplished (by the halfway point in lab) you will then apply what you have learned to test a new type of particle. Important Note: You should already be comfortable with Coulomb’s Law. You are not looking to education yourself on Coulomb’s Law, you are looking to identify the ways in which this simulation of reality falls short of perfectly reflecting reality. Note: Physics in the virtual lab follows a limited set of models. Most of these models are based on the real world, but none are exactly accurate. It's impossible to perfectly simulate real-world physics, and many rules have been deliberately changed for the next two labs. Explore the Simulation VR headset safety • The headsets should be used only while seated. 5
Chapter 2. Virtual Reality Charged Particles 6 • Students in a headset MUST be given adequate space to move their body and swing their arms. They cannot see their fellow students. Headset users ALWAYS have the right-of-way. • Always ask for consent before touching anyone in a VR headset (e.g. to put their finger on a controller button). • Wipe down the headset (with the wipes provided) between users, every time the headset changes hands. • No one is required to use the headset. If a student experiences nausea or other discomfort while using the headset, they should take it off immediately and notify an instructor. Oculus VR Introduction Guide – Optional If you are new to using the Oculus VR system, an introduction document is available at the end of this lab in section 2.3 on page 18. Launch the Simulation (VR headset operators) 1. Make sure the Oculus headset is connected to the Desktop PC with the braided USB cable. 2. Power on the Oculus headset by pressing and holding the button on the right side of the headset. 3. Be sure to remove the protective lens cover before you put on the headset. 4. You will see a message “Allow access to data”. Select “Allow” using either hand controller. 5. Click “Create Guardian” and follow directions to set ground level. (If prompted to, select “Sta- tionary Boundary” and confirm). 6. From the Apps menu open the NOMR app (it should be at the top left of the screen). 7. Ask your lab partner to open the Quest Mirror shortcut in Z:/VR Labs 8. Press the Play button in Quest Mirror to show on the PC screen what is visible to the VR user. You should now be in the virtual lab, and the screen should be mirrored on the Desktop PC. It is sometimes necessary to re-open the Quest Mirror software on the desktop. If the Quest Mirror software is not functioning, check to be sure the USB cable is connected and repeat from step 3 above. If you have any difficulties, your TA should be able to help you. Familiarize yourself with the VR lab environment by completing the following steps: 1. Enter the code “ 1856 ” into the keypad and press Submit to load today's lab setup. (a) Press buttons by pointing at them and clicking the trigger button on your controller. 2. Create a new positive charge by pointing at the button labeled “Positive” and clicking the trigger. Note: each particle has the same amount of charge, ± q . 3. Point at the newly created charge and hold down the grip button to hold the charge and move it around your space. 4. While holding the charge, push the controller thumbstick away from you to push the charge away. Move the thumbstick toward you to pull the charge toward you. This will work for every movable object in the simulation. 5. Anchor the charge by pointing at it and pressing the trigger. This locks the charge at a point in space and is visually represented by a cage around the charge. To un-anchor the charge, point at it and press the trigger again. • Tip: When you move a particle and then release it, the particle almost always has some initial velocity. To avoid this artifact of your physical manipulation, you can anchor par- ticles as you move them. After you have let go of the particle, remove the anchor, and the particle will now start simulating interaction with the environment from a zero initial velocity state.
Chapter 2. Virtual Reality Charged Particles 7 6. Pause physics in the simulation by clicking the button labeled “Pause Physics.” This pauses the motion of all free charges, allowing you to configure an experiment. Clicking the same button again will resume physics (the button has a slightly highlighted appearance while physics are paused). 7. Delete the charge by holding down the B or Y button, pointing at it, and pressing the trigger. 8. Reset the lab, deleting all charges and tools, by clicking the “Reset” button. Electrically Charged Particles Take turns exploring the simulation. Try creating multiple electric charges. Try mixing charge types. Try adding more than two charges to the simulation. Discuss with your group how these simulated electric charges interact with each other. Does Coulomb's law align with your observations of the simulated charges? Testing Coulomb's Law The goal for the end of today's lab is to test a model describing the force between two electrically charged particles in the VR lab. To do so, you will design an experiment to answer the following question: do your observations of the simulated charged particles align with Coulomb's law: F = kq 1 q 2 r 2 . Tools Available for Experimental Design Before testing a model, we must first understand the tools available to use in experiments. Create a measuring tape . Create two charges and anchor them nearby. Measure the distance between the charges. Discuss the following questions with your group: • What is the uncertainty associated with your measurements? • Is this random uncertainty or instrumental uncertainty? Create a force meter . Attach a positive charge to the force meter by placing the charge on the spiky end of the meter (note: the orange end of the force meter is always anchored). Place the other anchored charge near the force meter. If nothing happens, you may need to resume physics in the simulation. Discuss the following questions with your group: • How are the magnitude and direction of a force indicated by the force meter? • Does the force meter measure the net force acting on the particle attached to it? • What is the uncertainty associated with your measurements? Is this random uncertainty or instrumental uncertainty? Remove the positive charge attached to the force meter and replace it with a negative charge. Discuss the following questions with your group: • How does the force meter indicate an attractive force versus a repulsive force? • Can you get the force meter to read negative values? • What does a negative value on the force meter mean? Grab the charge that is not currently attached to the force meter and move it around. Discuss the following questions with your group: • Why does the force meter's value change as the particle pivots about? • Does the force meter measure the net force acting on the particle attached to it?
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