phys101-L90, Monday, 4:00-7:00, room 108 SciC
Office: 203-b Bell Bldg. |
General
A lab experience is an integral part of your exploration of the concepts of the physical universe. The laboratory is a hands-on, active environment. Working in teams, you will carry out experiments which will allow you to apply, verify, or discover concepts, principles, and laws. Some investigations will be cook-book in form; i.e., the procedure will be set out step-by-step. In some activities, you will be the scientist; i.e., you will have to design all of the steps for a procedure which will allow you to answer a question. All experiments require observation, measurement, analysis, drawing conclusions, and presenting your results.
In cases where my policies or procedures differ from those in the lab manual, mine take precedence. It is common for me to alter the directions printed in the lab manual.
If you have a question, comment, or complaint please let me know. Even an anonymous note under my door is fine. Note that there is an anonymous web-based email page available from my home page and is linked from the top of this page. Don't let my published office hours be an impediment to finding me at any time you have a question. Ordinarily I am pleased to see you any time you can drop in. You can phone or email ahead of time to set up a meeting if you wish. I am usually around. Please leave me a note if you can't find me.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy has adopted the following goals and objectives for its introductory physics labs:
| To strengthen insights into the fundamental concepts of physics through direct investigations |
| To enhance observational and analytical skills |
| To develop an appreciation for qualitative and quantitative reasoning |
| To develop physical curiosity |
| To develop team skills |
| Make measurements with common instruments |
| Make objective observations of physical phenomena |
| Draw conclusions based on observations and data |
| Analyze quantitative information using sketches, graphs, tables, and statistics |
| Conduct quantitative and qualitative discussions of observational errors |
| Produce an acceptable lab report |
| Evaluate the observations and reports of others |
| Design and conduct an experiment in order to investigate a proposition, evaluate a phenomenon, or make a prediction |
General Structure
We have 3 hours for each lab exercise. During the first lab period you will be assigned to a group. The group will be changed from time to time during the semester. You should exchange phone numbers and e-mail addresses with your partners. All members are expected to participate in the lab process. At the conclusion of the lab period all equipment will be restored to its original order. Note that lab is not a race to see who can finish first.
Generally lab reports will be be a collective effort submitted by the entire group. At any time a student may choose to prepare and turn in an individual lab report, independent of their lab partners. Lab reports will be due either at the end of the laboratory period or at the beginning of the next class meeting. I will specify which is the case early in each lab period.
Attendance
Attendance is important. You are only allowed to miss one lab for any reason. I drop the lowest lab grade, and if you miss a lab early in the semester, then are sick later and miss another, you are out of luck. One of the grades of "0" will get dropped, but not the second one.
Tardiness is rude, especially to your lab partners. It disrupts the flow of the class. Please be polite to your classmates and me by being on time. I will penalize students for tardiness. One built-in penalty is the possibility of missing a quiz, or not having much time to do it. Tardiness and absences will also be considered when assigning grades. Serious offenders will be penalized.
Lab Report
The format of the lab report is stated in the lab manual in addition to guidelines in this handout. I intend to be lenient but thorough in grading the first lab report. Please take heed of my comments to ensure the highest possible grade for you and your lab partners.
Due Dates
Late reports may be accepted (at my whim) but are usually penalized by at least 20%. Some (perhaps even many) lab reports will be due the day of the lab, by the end of the lab period. Others may be due the beginning of the following week's lab period.
Quizzes
Quizzes may be given at the beginning of lab. They will be about anything you can reasonably be expected to know. This usually means they will be relevant to the previous lab or to the lab you are about to do. Hint: read the lab before class. There will be no make ups for missed quizzes.
Grades
I don't give you an advance guarantee of points resulting in a specific grade, although I will give you fairly specific feedback any time you request. I consider 8/10 on a lab to be "B" work. I encourage you to see me at any time for my assessment of your work. I will drop your lowest lab grade. Do not spend your one dropped grade lightly. The grading distribution is as follows:
Quizzes 15%
Lab Reports 85%
Total 100% of course grade
Ordinarily, reports due the same lab period will not be typed, those due the next week will be typed. The Physics department and the college maintain computers for your use. In either case please make sure that the names of all people participating in writing the report for your group are on the lab report.
Format of the Report
There is no single template for every experiment. There is more than one way to effectively structure a report. They tend to share common features: what you did, why you did it, what you got, and what it means. A well thought out and well written laboratory report not only serves to condense your experiment into an easily remembered form but also frequently provides additional insight as you deal with questions arising in summarizing your experiences.
Lab reports commonly have sections such as introduction, procedure, data, results, and conclusion. Discussion of the limitations of the experiment, and intrinsic sources of error are almost always appropriate. Note that mistakes on the part of the experimenter are NOT considered intrinsic sources of error.
Most importantly, a good lab report will show to the reader that you clearly see the physical principles involved as well as how this experiment employs that principle. In our laboratory exercises accuracy is slightly secondary to the principles involved. However, a "10" report must show care and accuracy in the measurements and the computations, as well as insight into the design of the experiment.
A good lab report is: neat, clear, well organized, complete, thoughtful, and reflects your understanding of the laboratory. Graphs should be on graph paper or computer generated plots. They should be a suitable size. It is difficult to make a graph too big and easy to make it too small. Generally, a graph worth doing is worth at least a half-page of space. Do not regurgitate the objective and procedure that are written in the lab manual. Put them in your own words, but don't make them too extensive. Sketches of the apparatus, with important features and variables labeled and measurements shown are almost always a necessary ingredient in a good lab report. The sketch is particularly useful in connecting variables in equations with physical aspects of the apparatus. Don't abuse significant figures. The aforementioned features are required for a grade of 8 on the report. To get a 10 a lab report has to demonstrate all of the above, and show special insight in the performance and/or interpretation of the lab.
Intro Physics Lab Report Tips
Grading
You will receive a grade of from 0 to 10 on each laboratory exercise. I do not have to give every member of the group the same grade on the report. Your grade will be based primarily on your written laboratory report but may be weighted by other factors, including: