PHYS 251-L Physics II LAB  

Spring 2008

Dr. Johnny B. Holmes

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: PHYS 251-L Physics II LAB
Laboratory to accompany PHYS 251. Corequisite: enrollment in PHYS 251.

TEXT: Manual of lab experiments available from the web at http://www.cbu.edu/~jvarrian/physlabs.html#Physics251Lab , or from the instructor at first lab: price: $5.00 for printed copy.

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Johnny B. Holmes, Professor of Physics
                                phone: Office: S113, 321-3448;    Home: 383-9045
                                e-mail: jholmes@cbu.edu

PREREQUISITES BY TOPIC:
1. Basic algebra, trigonometry, calculus (differentiation and integration)
2. Newton's Laws of Motion and Newton's Law of Gravity
3. Law of Conservation of Energy

GOALS:
This laboratory course supplements the lecture course, so it is designed to assist you in reaching the goals of Phys 251. The additional goals of this course are:
1. To provide a hands-on experience with some of the properties of electricity and magnetism.
2. To test the models developed in Phys 251 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. Electric Field Simulations
2. *The Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)
3. Ohm's Law (2 weeks)
4. * RC Circuits (Resistor and Capacitor)
5. Magnetic Deflection
6. *Determination of e/m (the charge to mass of the electron)
7. Induction
8. The Oscilloscope
9. AC Circuits (3 weeks) 

GRADING: Each of the 12 lab sessions will be worth up to 15 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 12 lab sessions and accumulate at least 447 points.
           B: Be present for all 12 lab sessions and accumulate at least 423 points.
           C: Be present for at least 11 lab sessions and accumulate at least 379 points.
           D: Be present for at least 10 lab sessions and accumulate at least 350 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 2 points per lecture class day for each day a written report is late. Any late reports will not be accepted after April 18. For more information on the written reports see the guide at the bottom of the page.

Oral reports are worth 15 points maximum. For a smooth report 14 points will normally be awarded. For an especially good report, 15 points may 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 April 15, but there will be a 5 point penalty plus 2 points per lecture class day that you fail to make arrangements.

SCHEDULE FOR LABS:

1

T

Jan. 8

 

Electric Fields Simulations

2

T

Jan. 15

*

* The Cathode Ray Tube

3

T

Jan. 22

 

Ohm's Law, Parts 1-3

4

T

Jan. 29

 

Ohm's Law, Parts 4-5

5

T

Feb. 5

*

* R-C Circuits

6

T

Feb. 12

 

Magnetic Deflection

7

T

Feb. 19

*

* Charge to Mass Ratio of the Election (e/m)

8

T

Feb. 26

 

Electromagnetic Induction

 

T

Mar. 4

 

none- Spring Break

9

T

Mar. 11

 

The Oscilloscope

10

T

Mar. 18

 

AC Circuits  Part 1

 

T

Mar. 25

 

No Lab but there will be class with Dr. Varriano during this time

11

T

April 1

 

AC Circuits  Part 2

12

T

April 8

 

AC Circuits  Part 3

 

T

April 15

 

none

WRITTEN LAB REPORT GUIDE:

  1. Each lab report should be typed (dot matrix or other 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.
  2. Each written lab report should have the following:
    1. Title of experiment, student name, date of experiment
    2. Object of the experiment (one or two sentences)
    3. A short description of what you did in the experiment.
    4. Data (what you actually measure before calculations are performed- and with units). A table is often a good way of presenting your data.
    5. Graphs where appropriate (with labels and slope calculations if appropriate)
    6. Calculations (including a statement of the equation and a sample calculation with units)
    7. 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.
    8. Discussion of errors and accuracy of results
  3. Use correct English grammar and spelling.

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