A Web-based multi-media virtual experiment

A physical experiment from the undergraduate thermo-fluids laboratory titled "Venturimeter as a flow measuring device" has been chosen for its mapping into the virtual domain, as a computer-based experiment. The virtual experiment described in the present study, combines three unique aspects simultaneously: use of computer generated (virtual) data to recreate the physical phenomenon, virtual experimentation and measurement on a computer screen, and coupling of the virtual experiment with the LabVIEW software to introduce students to digital data acquisition and analysis. The proposed multi-media module has three sub-modules namely, the physical sub-module, the experimental details sub-module, and the virtual experiment sub-module, for introducing students to physical system configuration, experimental procedure, and detailed instructions for conducting virtual experimentation, data acquisition and analysis. The proposed module is expected to impact the development of virtual engineering laboratories for Web-based distance learning undergraduate engineering programs.