APSC 100 Module 2
Introduction to Experimentation Overview
Coordinator:
Professor Aphra Rogers,
Physics Department
Webpage address
http://appsci.queensu.ca/courses/apsc100/module2
Scheduled labs for APSC100 Module 2 start NEXT WEEK.
The schedule for weeks 2 and 3 is below.
All classes in Stirling room 405
Monday
08h00-08h30
08h30-09h00
09h00-09h30
09h30-10h00
10h00-10h30
10h30-11h00
11h00-11h30
11h30-12h00
12h00-12h30
12h30-13h00
13h00-13h30
13h30-14h00
14h00-14h30
14h30-15h00
15h00-15h30
15h30-16h00
16h00-16h30
16h30-17h00
17h00-17h30
17h30-18h00
Tuesday
Section
E
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Section
Section D
Section B
A
Section G
Section
C
Section H
Section F
APSC 100 Module 2
Introduction to Experimentation
WHY? – do an introduction to experimentation?
•Develop basic laboratory and data management skills
• Develop an ability to critically evaluate results
(understanding of error analysis)
•Practice technical writing
•Introduce experimental design
•Reinforce basic physics and chemistry concepts
Manual page #1
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
WHAT – you will need:
•Courseware manual - Introduction to Experimentation
•Lab notebook – A90 black science university notebook – to
record work done in lab.
•‘Writer’s Choice’ - Margot Northey and Margaret Proctor
•goggles for chemistry/chem eng labs- bookstore type (you will not be
allowed in the lab without them)
•Lab coat OR coveralls for the chemistry/chem eng labs
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
WHERE – you will be:
•Stirling Hall (Physics) rooms 405/406
•assistance on error propagation assignment in week 1
•tutorial labs in weeks 2 and 3
•all physics experiments Labs 1,2,3
•Chernoff Hall (Chemistry) room 206
•experiments 4, 5
•Dupuis (Chem Eng) room 236/237
•experiment 6
Manual page #1
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
Structure:
•Week 1:
no labs - complete error propagation worksheet
•Weeks 2 and 3:
Tutorial Labs
•Weeks 4-9:
3 Physics and 3 Chemistry Experiments
•Weeks 10-12:
Project Experiments
Students work in pairs to collect data but individual analysis and hand-in
work is required!
Manual page #1
Week 1: Error Propagation Worksheet
•Prepares you for the error analysis you will do in labs
•no lectures on this material
•Appendix 4 (lab manual) tells you everything you need
to know about doing the problems on the worksheet
(including examples that are very similar to the ones on
your worksheet)
•TO DO: READ appendix 4. Do the problems on the
worksheet. Hand the worksheet in next Monday.
•Tutorial help available this week at times listed on the
bottom of the worksheet. Come prepared!!!
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
Structure:
•Weeks 2 and 3:
Tutorial Labs
•Weeks 4-9:
3 Physics and 3 Chemistry Experiments
•Weeks 10-12:
Project Experiments
Manual pages 7-16
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
Tutorial Labs: Weeks 2 and 3
•Tutorial Lab #1: (week 2) Data analysis and uncertainty
-Look at three different methods for analysing data
and determining error.
•Tutorial Lab #2 (week 3) Planning an Experiment
-YOU design an experiment to determine the spring
constant for a spring. A step-by-step design guide
(manual Appendix 7) is provided to walk you through
the experimental design procedure.
Manual pages 7-16
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
Structure:
•Weeks 2 and 3:
Tutorial Labs
•Weeks 4-9:
3 Physics and 3 Chemistry Experiments
•Weeks 10-12:
Project Experiments
Manual pages 20-62
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
Physics and Chemistry Labs: Weeks 4-9
•3 Physics Labs:
-Cantilever Beam
-Filters
-Electrical Resistive Behaviour of 3 Devices
formal lab report
in-lab analysis*
formal lab report
•3 Chemistry Labs
-Titration
-Spectrophotometric Analysis
-Calorimetry (Chem Eng)
in-lab analysis*
in-lab analysis*
formal lab report
* a tear-out question and answer sheet to be handed in at the end of the lab
Manual pages 19-52
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
Structure:
•Weeks 2 and 3:
Tutorial Labs
•Weeks 4-9:
3 Physics and 3 Chemistry Experiments
•Weeks 10-12:
Project Experiments
Manual pages 117-141
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
Project Experiments: Weeks 10 - 12
•Choose from 10 project experiment topics in week 5
•Plan your experiment in week 10
•Do your experiment in week 11 (& week 12 if you need to)
•Write a formal report on your experiment (with your
partner )
Manual pages 117-141
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
Physics Project Experiments
•The Resistivity of Play-Doh
•Kinetic Friction acting on a Hot Wheels Car
•Efficiency of an Electric Motor
•Viscosity of Motor Oils
•Temperature Measurement with a Thermocouple
Chemistry Project Experiments
•Analysis of Vitamin C in Orange Juice
•Neutralizing Ability of Antacid Tablets
•Determination of Iron in Groundwater
•Determination of Nitrates in Streamwater
•Design of a Heat Exchanger for an Industrial Process (Chem Eng)
You do all project work with your lab partner.
Manual pages 117-141
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
ASSESSMENT AND MARKING
You must attend all lab periods and complete all
formals/assignments. Attendance will be taken.
You will receive an N/C for APSC100 if you miss ANY lab or
don’t hand the complete assignment/report in.
Complete the form on the website to request permission to
make up a missed lab if you are sick or have a valid excuse.
Manual pages 4-5
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
ASSESSMENT AND MARKING
A grade is awarded (A, B, C, D) for each assignment/report.
Your overall mark is a weighted average of individual marks.
•error propagation worksheet
WEIGHTING
5%
•tutorial labs (2 of these):
8% each
•Formal lab reports (3 of these - labs 1,3,6)
16% each
•In-lab analysis work (3 of these - labs 2,4,5)
5% each
•project experiments (effort and formal report)
16%
Manual pages 4-5
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
ASSESSMENT AND MARKING for formal reports
How is it marked?
•half of the grade is based on your conveyed comprehension of the lab
(description of concepts, data analysis, error analysis, etc.)
•half of the grade is based on presentation: written English, organization,
data presentation, concise explanation, table and figure format.
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
ASSESSMENT AND MARKING for formal reports
What do we expect in a formal report?
A typed, technical document that explains scientific principles,
procedures and results rigorously and concisely, illustrating
your understanding of the subject matter.
Resources to help you:
Appendix 2 (Manual) contains
•A guide to writing formal lab reports
•A formal report example - page 83 (you can also download this
from the web and use it as a template for your own formal reports)
The marking sheet the TA’s will use is on the website and can be used as a checklist.
Northey and Procter’s book – ‘Writer’s choice’ - has a chapter on report
writing and also provides general writing tips
Manual pages 4-5, 69-86
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
Academic dishonesty
THE PENALTY FOR COPYING ANY PART OF ANOTHER LAB REPORT
IS TO REPEAT APSC100 NEXT YEAR.
This signed statement is needed on the front of all reports:
“I verify that this formal report is my own individual work
and has not been copied in whole or in part from another
source (with the possible exception of equations and/or
diagrams from the experimental descriptions on the APSC100
website). Furthermore, I have not and will not lend this report
(electronic or hardcopy) to any other student, either now or in
the future ”
COPYCHECKER WEBSITE: in addition to handing in a hardcopy of
your reports, a copy must be sent to our copychecker website. The
TAs will verify that the hardcopy and e-copy are the same before
they mark your report. The copychecker stores your report in a
database and compares it against all others to identify similarities.
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
To avoid repeating APSC100:
Do not borrow a lab from anyone.
Do not lend your lab to anyone.*
Share your data with your partner in the lab, then
write your reports completely independently with no
interaction!!!
* IF YOU LEND YOUR LAB TO SOMEONE AND IT GETS COPIED,
YOU WILL RECEIVE THE SAME PENALTIES AS IF YOU WERE THE
STUDENT THAT COPIED IT.
APSC 100
Introduction to Experimentation
What should I do before next week?
•Complete the error propagation worksheet and hand in at Stirling
Hall by 4:00 Monday next week
Tutorial help is available this week- see sheet for details (don’t
wait for this, though - start ASAP!!)
•read pgs 8-16 (tutorial labs) before your tutorial lab next week
Scheduled labs for APSC100 Module 2 start NEXT WEEK.
The schedule for weeks 2 and 3 is below.
All classes in Stirling room 405
Monday
08h00-08h30
08h30-09h00
09h00-09h30
09h30-10h00
10h00-10h30
10h30-11h00
11h00-11h30
11h30-12h00
12h00-12h30
12h30-13h00
13h00-13h30
13h30-14h00
14h00-14h30
14h30-15h00
15h00-15h30
15h30-16h00
16h00-16h30
16h30-17h00
17h00-17h30
17h30-18h00
Tuesday
Section E
Wednesday
Thursday
Section D
Friday
Section
Section B
A
Section G
Section
C
Section H
Section F