PHYS-C0310_aalto-CUR-141470-3063421: Exercise 2.3 - Sandpile

Kurssiasetusten perusteella kurssi on päättynyt 22.05.2022 Etsi kursseja: PHYS-C0310

Exercise 2.3 - Sandpile

Examination of granular material flow:

Description

In this laboratory work, we will study the mass fluctuations of a sandpile grown on different circular plates. The work consists of two parts. In the experimental part we will consider the shape of the sandpile grown by sand deposition and the avalanches (outflow, and its fluctuations). The computational part is done by simulating a sandpile by a simple cell automation.

Schedule and appointments

Exercise sessions can be reserved from this link:

https://mycourses.aalto.fi/mod/scheduler/view.php?id=867083

NOTE: The reports should be written in English, and returned to exercise assistant electronically not later than three weeks after measurement done.

Place:

The exercise is carried out at the physics student laboratory U020, which is at the basement of the Otakaari 1 U-segment.

Prerequisites for the exercise:

Please, read the instructions below thoroughly beforehand. You should also be ready to answer the following questions:

1) What is a phase transition in mechanics?

2) What is a critical point?

3) What is self-organized criticality and how it is connected to sandpile experiment?

4) What other examples of self-organized criticality can you mention?

Report submission and grading:

After measurements the students will have three weeks to return the first version of their report. Teaching assistant will grade the first version and give a feedback to the student, after which the student can improve (in two weeks time) the report, which will be evaluated again. The final grade is the average grade of the first and second version of the report.