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PHYS 201-L Introductory Physics I LAB

Summer Session I (June) 2009

Dr. Johnny B. Holmes

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: PHYS 201-L Introductory Physics I LAB

Laboratory to accompany PHYS 201 . Corequisite: enrollment in PHYS 201.

TEXT: Manual of lab experiments available (for free) via on line word documents for each experiment or in booklet form (for $5.00) from the instructor at the first lab.

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Johnny B. Holmes, Professor of Physics; office: CW 103; office phone 321-3448; home phone 383-9045; e-mail: jholmes@cbu.edu

PREREQUISITES BY TOPIC:

1. Basic algebra, trigonometry

GOALS:

This laboratory course supplements the lecture course, so it is designed to assist you in reaching the goals of Phys 201. The additional goals of this course are:

1. To provide a hands-on experience with some of the properties of mechanics studied in PHYS 201.

2. To test the models developed in Phys 201 in the real-world environment of the laboratory, and to see how well the models work and to find their limitations.

3. To acquaint the student with lab techniques.

4. To show the limitations of experimental verification of scientific theories.

EXPERIMENTS:

1. Composition of Concurrent Forces

2. *Acceleration Due to Gravity
Computer help on acceleration due to gravity experiment (to download program)

3. Acceleration along an Inclined Ramp

4. *Newton's Second Law

5. Centripetal Force

6. Moments of Parallel Forces (Torque)

7. *Atwood's Machine

8. Hooke's Law and Potential Energy

9. Fluids

10. Oscillations

11. The Vibrating String

* indicates these labs will have a formal write-up

GRADING: Each of the 9 lab sessions will be worth up to 20 points based on your participation and an oral report at the end of the session (180 points). Each of the three experiments marked with an * requires a written report worth up to 100 points (300 points). This makes for a total of 480 points.

A: Be present for all 9 lab sessions and accumulate at least 450 points.

B: Be present for all 9 lab sessions and accumulate at least 426 points.

C: Be present for at least 8 lab sessions and accumulate at least 376 points.

D: Be present for at least 7 lab sessions and accumulate at least 345 points.

F: Anything less than the minimum requirements for a D.

Written reports are due at the beginning of the lab period two weeks after the experiment is completed. There will be a penalty of 5 points per lab class day for each day a written report is late. Any late reports will not be accepted after Wednesday, July 1. For more information on the written reports see the guide at the bottom of the page.

Oral reports are worth 20 points maximum. For a smooth report 19 points will normally be awarded. Only for an especially good report will the full 20 points be awarded. If the group has to go back and check on something, points may be subtracted. If at the end of the lab not all parts are completed, points will be subtracted. If the report is not smooth or if incorrect conclusions are drawn, points may be subtracted.

NOTE: Feel free to ask questions anytime before you begin your formal oral report. No points will be subtracted for questions before you begin your formal oral report.

ABSENCES:

If you know you will miss a lab, you may make arrangements with the instructor before the lab to make the lab up at a later time. If you miss a lab without notice and wish to make up the lab, you may do so by Wednesday, July 1, but there will be a 5 point penalty plus 5 points per lab class day that you fail to make arrangements.

DISABILITY SERVICES: If you have a disability that affects your ability to perform in class or lab, please see the CBU Student Disabilities Services web page at: http://www2.cbu.edu/cbu/StudentLife/DisabilityServices/index.htm

SCHEDULE FOR LABS:

1	T	June 2		Composition of Concurrent Forces
2	R	June 4	*	Acceleration Due to Gravity Computer help on acceleration due to gravity experiment* (to download program)
2	R	June 4		Acceleration Along an Inclined Ramp
3	T	June 9	*	*Newton's Second Law
4	R	June 11		Centripetal Force
5	T	June 16	*	*Atwood's Machine
5	T	June 16		Hooke's Law and Potential Energy
6	R	June 18		Moments of Parallel Forces (Torque)
7	T	June 23		Fluids
8	R	June 25		Oscillations
9	T	June 30		The Vibrating String

WRITTEN LAB REPORT GUIDE:

There is a sample lab report at the end of the first lab experiment (Composition of Concurrent Forces) guide.

Each lab report should be typed (computer assisted print is fine), or at least be clearly legible. Points will be subtracted for neatness if the report is hard to read or hard to follow.
Each written lab report should have the following:

Title of experiment, student name, date of experiment
Object of the experiment (one or two sentences)
A short description of what you did in the experiment
Data (what you actually measure before calculations are performed- and with units). A table is often a good way of presenting your data.
Graphs where appropriate (with labels and slope calculations if appropriate – use graph paper or computer generated graphs)
Calculations (including a statement of the equation and a sample calculation with units)
Statement of results with appropriate comparisons (be sure to clearly mark this; include a discussion of the meaning of each graph). A table is often a very good way of presenting your results that make comparisons easy to see.
Discussion of errors and accuracy of results

Use correct English grammar and spelling.

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