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A Computer-Generated ‘Pseudo-Experiment’ in Fluid Mechanics

The paper presents experience in setting up and running a computer-based alternative to a traditional undergraduate laboratory class as part of an introductory course in fluid mechanics. The ‘pseudo-experiment’ is not a computer simulation but provides each individual student with a realistic set of experimental readings (including likely random errors) for a real set of apparatus on which they have earlier conducted a real ‘hands-on’ experiment, and which was available for them to inspect or operate in their own time. Students were expected to process the results supplied and then write the usual form of full report on the experiment, including of course a full discussion of the results obtained. The results the students obtained were very close to what would have been obtained by real measurement at the flow rate given, and the inclusion of a realistic level of random error ensured that these results varied slightly from student to student, thus inhibiting copying of work. The arrangement eased timetabling problems and provided a significant saving in academic resource while retaining many of the advantages of a real hands-on laboratory class, and enhanced the students' educational experience compared with earlier arrangements. An additional advantage of the system adopted was that each student's correct calculated output was exactly known so that marking could be undertaken by paid postgraduate assistants rather than academic staff.