PHYSICS 266 - University Physics II Laboratory

Syllabus

Spring 2010 Semester

Course ID Time Days Room Instructor
PHYS 266-001 1:50 - 3:50 PM Monday TCCW 209 Bohuski
PHYS 266-002 12:45 - 2:45 PM Tuesday TCCW 209 Andrew

   


Catalog Description, Phys 266 - University Physics II Laboratory

Required for students enrolled in Physics 265 (University Physics II). Students perform physics experiments in electricity and magnetism, waves and optics which stress the fundamental definitions and laws developed in the lecture course. Students gain experience in computerized data acquisition and data analysis using modern techniques and equipment.

Co-requisites and Pre-requisites

Students enrolled in Physics 266 must be enrolled in or have already satisfactorily completed Physics 265 or its equivalent. In addition students enrolled in Physics 266 must have satisfactorily completed Physics 255 and Math 227 (Calculus II). There will be no exceptions to these requirements.

Experiment Schedule

You will complete one experiment per week throughout the semester.

Click here for the schedule of experiments.

Grading Policies

Table 1
Average Score Grade
90 - 100 A
80 - 89 B
70 - 79 C
60 - 69 D
59 and below F

Your grade for Physics 266 will be based on your performance on the laboratory reports and prelab exercises (R), and Final Exam (FE) results according to the usual distribution as shown in Table 1 on the left. The formula: Grade = 0.25 * FE + 0.75 * R.

Pre-Lab Activities

Before coming to lab it is essential that you make adequate preparations to complete the experiment in the allotted time. Each laboratory period will be no longer than about two hours. Some of the labs are long enough that is very unlikely that you will be able to walk into the laboratory without any preparation and complete the experiment in this amount of time. Therefore you are advised to carefully read the instructions for the experiment that you will be performing before coming to lab.

If necessary, also read the appropriate sections in your textbook for the lecture course. Finally, complete any pre-laboratory exercises assigned by your instructor.

Laboratory Reports

You will be describing your experimental results by preparing "photo ready" manuscripts suitable to publication in a major scientific journal. Experimental reports must be written on a word processor prepared in accordance to one of these style manuals:

The lab report should consist at a minimum of the following sections:

Abstract This should be a very brief overview of the goals and results of the experiment. You should state the main outcome of your experiment.
Description of Experiment Describe the objective of the experiment, the physics principles that were investigated, and the procedures that were used to carry out the experiment. Include the schematic diagram(s) of experimental setup, and picture(s) of the experimental installation if appropriate.
Experimental Data List and describe the raw experimental data collected during the experiment. Include any tables, graphs, results of best fits, etc. as appropriate.
Results and Conclusions State the main result(s) of the experiment and compare your result(s) to the accepted or theoretical value(s) (if available) by computing a percent difference. State source(s) of errors you consider to be the most likely reason of these differences.

All graphs and tables that are a part of that report must be computer generated. Fitting functions to the data must be included where it is appropriate. All data collected during the lab period, a clear overview of all calculations performed, and results of preliminary analysis must be recorded and attached to the report. All data taken in the experiment should be recorded in tabular form. Each table should have a title, and should have headings for the rows and columns. Correct units should be indicated for the data by writing the units with the headings in the table. Single data items need not be represented in a table but they should be labeled and have the correct units listed. Your completed data sheet must be signed by the instructor before you leave the lab. Any calculations used in the experiment should be included in the lab report. You should show the equations that you used, with at least one example where these equations have the correct numbers (with units) substituted in, along with the result.

You must have a storage device (memory stick, etc.) for record-keeping, data files and reports generated. A back-up or multiple back-ups of the data are encouraged.

A formal laboratory report will be due at the beginning of the next lab period. Thereafter lab reports will be considered late; lab grade will decay at a rate 5% per day late.

Collaboration

During the laboratory period, while you are collecting data, you may work with lab partner(s). Obviously, you and your partner(s) will have the same data. However, each student must submit a laboratory report that is demonstrably his/her own work. Be sure that the discussion in the Results & Conclusion section is clearly in your own words.

Final Examination

A Final Exam is scheduled during the last meeting of the semester. Details of this exam will be provided by your instructor later.

Disability Accommodations

In compliance with university policy, students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services in DUC A-200 of the Student Success Center in Downing University Center. Please DO NOT request accommodations directly from me without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services.

Laboratory Policies

  • Food and drinks are NOT allowed in the laboratory.
  • Cell phones, pagers, and similar devices must be turned off and stored away during lab session.
  • The computers in the laboratory are for specific lab activities only.
    • Do not install or modify any software on the laboratory computers.
    • Do not use the computers to check email during class time.
    • Do not use the computers to instant message or chat with anyone ever.
    • Do not browse the internet during lab time unless it is part of a lab activity.