Villanova University
Department of Physics
J.D. STRIEB, Mendel 263C
PHYSICS 2411, Fall 2012
Phone Extension: 94893 E-mail: jay.strieb@villanova.edu
Office Hours: Th 12:30 - 2:30 PM, Fri 10:30-11:30 AM, 12:30-1:30 PM
Other hours by appointment
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This sequence of laboratory experiments is intended to complement the corequisite
lecture course Physics 2410.
Text: Laboratory Experiments in Physics
Reports and Notebook:
The results of each experiment will be kept in a laboratory
notebook. Details of the required notebook contents are given in the accompanying
handout. A significant part of the grade will be determined by neatness and organization.
The notebook will be collected twice during the semester; each half of the notebook will
count for 25% of your final lab grade. Two formal lab reports are also due, details of
which are also supplied separately. Each of these will count for 25% of your final grade.
Attendance at all laboratory sessions is mandatory under normal circumstances. An
experiment missed due to an excused absence should be made up the same week if
possible; if not, the experiment must be performed during the last week of classes.
Laboratory Schedule
Week of
Sep. 3
Sept. 10
Sept. 17
Sept. 24
Oct. 1
Oct. 8
Oct. 15
Oct 22
Oct 29
Nov. 5
Nov. 12
Nov. 19
Nov. 26
Experiment
The Analysis of Data
Forces on a Particle at Rest
The Acceleration Due to Gravity
Circular Motion
Periodic Motion I: The Simple Pendulum
The Motion of Particles
semester recess
Friction
Periodic Motion II: The Simple Harmonic Oscillator
Rigid Bodies at Rest
The Motion of Rigid Bodies
no lab (Thanksgiving)
Archimedes’ Principle
Laboratory Notebook:
Your notebook should contain:

Graphs

calculations

your data tables

concise conclusions based on your results
Graphs: Be sure to comment specifically on the conclusions to be
drawn from each graph plotted. For example: if the graph is a log-log
plot, what can you infer about the relation between Y and X and what is
the significance of the slope? Data tables should have titles. Graphs must
have a descriptive title (e.g., not "graph # 1 "), labeled axes with units,
and a legend if more than one set of data is plotted on the same graph.
Divisions along the axes should be simple multiples of 1, 2, 4 or 5.
Whenever possible, include on this graph the theoretical equation
relating the variables being plotted. The experiment should be
completed with all graphs drawn, calculations made and conclusions
stated before you leave the lab.
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Formal Reports:
Two formal reports are required in addition to your
laboratory notebook. The second report will be for a lab
taken in the second half of the semester.
These reports must be prepared using a word processor.
Each lab report should be sufficiently complete to enable
anyone to understand what the experiment is designed to
accomplish and to know exactly how to go about it. A suggested
style is given below:
Experiment Title
Your Name
(Lab Partners' Names)
Date
2411 and section number
Introduction
A few paragraphs providing any relevant background information
and the reason for doing the experiment. The section should include a
brief description of the apparatus used (with a drawing if this will make it
clearer) and a concise exposition of the theory underlying the experiment.
2
Data
Raw data collected during the experiment should be entered in
data tables. Correct units should be indicated in the heading for each
column of data. Intermediate and final results will then be calculated (if
repetitious, a sample of each calculation will suffice) and the results will
generally be entered in a single table. Usually each table submitted in the
lab report will be followed directly by one or more plots, an analysis of
those plots, and an estimate of the errors involved. (See paragraph
entitled "Graphs", above). Units must be specified for all measured
data and calculated results.
Analysis
Based on the theory, the student should specify the kind of
curves that the data is expected to follow (e.g., parabola, hyperbola,
exponential, straight line, etc.) within experimental error. If the expected
curve is a straight line, the student should do a computerized leastsquare fit of the data to obtain the slope and y-intercept, with proper
units. Values for the physical quantities of interest may then usually be
obtained from the slope and/or y-intercept.
Error Analysis: Numerical results of the calculations should be
given with the appropriate units to the appropriate number of significant
figures, depending on the accuracy of the initial measurements. When the
experiment calls for a linear fit, the physical quantities obtained
experimentally from the slope and intercept are to be compared with their
accepted values, if available, by giving the percentage deviation. If a
physical quantity is to be determined by measuring other physical
quantities, each having their own experimental errors, then the
accumulated error should be calculated according to the methods
described in class.
Conclusion
The final section of the lab report should contain a summary of the
results of the experiment followed by a discussion in which the student
interprets the results and indicates the success or failure of the experiment.
Each student must submit their own individual report, within the
deadline specified.
Grading: The lab grade will be based on both the lab notebook and the
formal reports, with 25 points given for each formal report and 50 for the
notebook. Notebooks will be graded at midterm and at the end of the
semester, and perhaps at other intervals.