This results from the fact that by its very construction the computer is a clock and an electronic measuring and storage device. All that is needed to incorporate the computer into the measuring process is a transducer that converts the property being measured into an electrical signal, an interface between the computer and the transducer, and the appropriate software. The computer can quickly measure a physical property, repeat the measurement many times, and store it for future analysis. The ability to analyze the data gathered in the laboratory quickly and accurately is an integral part of any experiment. Here again, the computer is an invaluable aid.
Software is available to do almost any kind of graphing or numerical analysis.
The software available in the introductory physics laboratories allows students to graph data and calculate values in a variety of ways. It will also do a linear regression analysis of experimental and calculated values. It will automatically determine the mean and standard deviation for every set of data taken which allows students to incorporate uncertainties into each measured and calculated value. Although the computer can provide all of these results, it is still up to the student to interpret them with regard to the particular experiment being performed. Another aspect of studying and analyzing physical systems is reporting the observations and results in an appropriate manner.