Physics 2610L: DESCRIPTIVE GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY
Fall 2006 Syllabus
Instructor: Dr. Tom N. Oder
Course Code #2518 (T, 14:00-16:50, Room 2010) Catalogue #2610L.
Text: The Physics Lab Manual I - By W. Cochran (revised edition, Fall 2005).
Contacts: Office – Ward Beecher Hall Room 1016; Phone (330) 941-7111
E-Mail: tnoder@ysu.edu Webpage: http://www.ysu.edu/physics/tnoder/
Office Hours: T 4:50 pm – 5:20 pm or by appointment.
General Education: The course is a General Education course in the Natural Science domain and
emphasizes the following goals in General Education: (2) acquiring, processing and presenting
quantitative and qualitative information using the most appropriate technologies including computers;
(3) reasoning critically, drawing sound conclusions and applying those conclusions to one’s life and
society; (6) understanding the scientific method, forming and testing hypotheses as well as evaluating
results (7) realizing the evolving relationship in science, technology ad society; (13) understanding and
appreciating the natural environment and the processes that shape it.
Course Objectives:
a) To illustrate the physical principles developed in the lecture course (2610).
b) To familiarize students with basic laboratory equipments to study the physics concepts
encountered in the lecture course.
c) To develop experience in scientific measurements, analysis and reporting.
d) To develop group problem-solving and interaction skills.
Course Content:
1. Measurement Precision and Distribution.
2. Free Fall and the Acceleration due to gravity.
3. Empirical Relations: Free Fall.
4. Kinematics in two dimensions: Projectiles.
5. Vectors: Forces and Static Equilibrium.
6. Statics, Dynamics and the Force Friction.
7. Rotation and Newton’s Second Law: Uniform Circular Motion.
8. Inelastic Collisions and Momentum Conservation; The Ballistic Pendulum.
9. Energy Conservation in Rotation.
10. The Oscillating Mass-Spring System.
11. Standing Waves and the Stretched String.
12. Standing Waves and the Speed of Sound.
Grading:
The class will be divided into groups of 3-5 students. Each student will need to read through the
experiment to be performed prior to coming to the Lab. Each group will set up the experiment, collect
data, analyze the data and submit a single typewritten lab report. One person in the group will be
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designated to write the report and this responsibility will be circulated among the members of the
group. The report should contain:
I)
II)
III)
IV)
V)
VI)
Title of the experiment, Date the experiment was performed, Names of the group members
beginning with the name of the designated lab-report writer. (2 points)
Statement(s) of the purpose of the experiment, (4 points). The purpose of the experiment should
be clear from reading through the lab manual.
Procedure: Concise, coherent and complete description of the steps you carried, written in third
person. The description should include what you did with the measurements you took. This should
not be a word-for-word copy of the lab manual. Your data should be included here. (7 points)
Graphs (with its title and labeled axes), calculations and responses to any questions posed in the
lab manual. Show all the arithmetic, equations used (if any) and the correct units for quantities
mentioned. (15 points)
Results, estimated uncertainties and summary. (10 points)
Signature page. The designated lab writer should get each group member to sign the lab report.
Each member of the group should make sure that the lab report to be submitted is acceptable to
him/her. (2 points)
The report should closely follow the literary fashion of a technical journal. A good report will be one
that a student in a 2610 class not taking the lab can easily follow what your group set out to do and
what you actually accomplished.
Each lab is worth a maximum of 40 points. Of the points earned by each group, 60% will be awarded
to the designated lab writer and 40% to each lab partner. These points will be added and converted into
a percent of the maximum points each student could have earned. A letter grade will then be assigned
as follows: 90 - 100% = A. 80-89% = B. 70 – 79% = C. 60 – 69% = D. 0 – 59% = F.
Final Exam: All students are required to take a final exam in this course which tests basic skills such
as measurement and graphing, precision, accuracy, uncertainty, unit conversion and significant figures.
While your score in this exam will not be included in the final grade for the course, passing it is
absolutely required in order for you to qualify you for the course. A pass grade for the exam is a sore
of 70% and above.
Class attendance: It is imperative that you show up for each lab. In general, there is no make-up for
any lab missed. However, if you have or will have an excusable absence such as an illness, discuss it
with the instructor and a make-up lab may be arranged. The grade for the course is based solely on
what you accumulate from the 12 lab grades.
Accommodation for Disability: In accordance with University procedures, if you have a documented
disability and require accommodation to obtain equal access in this course, please contact me privately
to discuss your specific needs. You must be registered with the Disability Services Office in Beeghly
Hall, room 3310 and provide a letter of accommodation to verify your eligibility. You can reach the
Disability Service Office at (330) 941-1372.
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Physics 1501L: Summer 2006
Lab Partner Information sheet
Partner Name: ------------------------------------------------ Phone: -------------------------------
Partner Name: ------------------------------------------------ Phone: -------------------------------
Partner Name: ------------------------------------------------ Phone: -------------------------------
Partner Name: ------------------------------------------------ Phone: -------------------------------
(keep this half
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
(return this half)
Your Name: ------------------------------------------------ Phone: -------------------------------
Partner Name: ------------------------------------------------ Phone: -------------------------------
Partner Name: ------------------------------------------------ Phone: -------------------------------
Partner Name: ------------------------------------------------ Phone: -------------------------------
Partner Name: ------------------------------------------------ Phone: --------------------------------------
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