Physics 102L General Physics - Laboratory

Spring 1998

Instructors: H.O. Funsten
Teaching Assistants (TA's): Jessica Clark, Michael Goddard, Mark Klingman, Krishni Wijesooriya
Location: Small Hall, Room 104
co-rerequisite: Physics 102

Sections:

Section # Time Teaching Assistant
1 Tuesday     19:00 - 21:20 Michael Goddard
2 Tuesday     13:30 - 15:50 Jessica Clark
3 Monday     14:00 - 16:20 Mark Klingman
4 Tuesday     16:00 - 18:20 Jessica Clark
5 Wednesday     14:00 - 16:20 Michael Goddard
6 Thursday     15:30 - 17:50 Krishni Wijesooriya

Statement of Purpose:

The purpose of this laboratory course is twofold. Students will be introduced to general laboratory techniques including observational skills, taking and handling of data, and presentation of data and results. Students will improve their logical and critical thinking skills. The laboratory course should also further students' understanding of physics.

Lab Manual:

The Lab Manual is available in the Bookstore, for a nominal fee.

Attendance Policy:

No makeup labs will be given; however, the two lowest lab grades will be dropped.

Grading:

The lab accounts for 25% of the final course grade. Failing the lab automatically results in failing the course. If fewer than seven labs are completed, the lab grade is zero. Lab reports are normally to be turned in during the lab period of the following week. Two points will be deducted per day late (out of a ten-point maximum grade).

Lab Preparation:

Obtain a basic familiarity with equipment and procedures before coming to class each week by reading the instructions for the week's lab. In addition to the manual, each student should bring a calculator, linear graph paper, and a centimeter ruler to every lab session. Use of computers outside the lab is encouraged.

Student Groups:

In general, two students will work together with each lab setup. If necessary, larger groups will be used, as directed by your TA. Students should rotate groups each week.

Lab Procedure:

Before beginning an experiment, make sure all needed equipment is present. Be sure you understand how the equipment works; ask as many questions as necessary. Read the ``Special Cautions" section of the lab carefully before beginning. Be sure all necessary data is taken before leaving lab; no data can be taken after the end of the lab session. Have data checked and initialed by your TA before leaving. Make sure all equipment is turned off and neatly organized prior to leaving lab.

Lab Reports:

Although a group takes data common to members of the group, data analysis must be done individually. The lab report, except for the data, represents individual work. The goal of a lab report is to demonstrate knowledge of the physics studied in a thorough but concise manner. This goal should be accomplished through the use of data tables, equations, graphs, etc., as well as brief, thoughtful explanations. Organize data in a clear, logical fashion. Be sure to also answer all questions asked in the lab manual (questions are in italics).

Syllabus:

Laboratory Schedule; the dates indicated are for the Monday of the week of the lab.
Lab # Date Experiment Title
1 1/26 Gas Thermometer and Absolute Zero
2 2/2 Mechanical Equivalent of Heat
3 2/9 Boyle's Law
4 2/16 Efficiency of a Hot Air Engine
5 2/23 Electrolysis
6 3/2 Equipotentials and Field Mapping
--- 3/9 Spring Break (yeah!)
7 3/16 Parallel Plate Capacitor
8 3/23 DC Circuits
9 3/30 Magnetic Field
10 4/6 Induced Voltage from Varying Magnetic Fields
11 4/13 Pulsed RC Circuits
12 4/20 RC Circuits, AC Mode
13 4/27Optical Refraction and Focusing


last updated Jan 30 1998
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