P 204 L(General Physics II Lab)
Spring, 2011
Instructor: Dr. John Winfrey
eMail:
winfreyj@marshall.edu
Office:
Science 255
Telephone: (304) 696-2755
Office hours:
M @ 11, T-F @ 11
Prerequisites: Phy.201 and Phy.202
Required: textbook: Marshall’s Physics 204 Laboratory Manual, 2010 ed. from
Bookstore calculator : non-programmable, with buttons (not menu) for EE or EXP , x² , √x,
cos , sin-1 pen and pencil : pen for predictions, pencil is okay for data, calculations, and
computation attendance : (with pen, pencil, calculator, textbook) at each class meeting,
ready to learn time & effort: outside of class, about 2 effective hours/week to complete
assignments
Recommended: notebook with blank lined pages … easier to use than blank printer
paper. a positive attitude … we’re trying to provide serious experiences (not waste your
time). preparation … many labs will be done on topics not yet covered in Lecture.
cooperation with lab partners … best way to learn is to teach, best instruction is by
peers. balance … between struggling to understand (yourself) , and asking when you
don’t.
GENERAL INSTRUCTION:
The primary goal of these labs is to develop an understanding of the physics principles that you
learn from your lectures about mechanics. You are expected to learn concepts, experimental
procedure, and computation steps for each experiment. This process should enhance the learning
that takes place in the lecture class. Example: When we use the tool of ‘momentum
conservation’, the formula is easy (and because of vectors deceptively simple):
mi vi = mf vf.
But if there are two masses before, and they stick and there is one mass after, ‘what’ goes
‘where’ is a BIG issue. Doing the lab with various kinds of collisions clears this up greatly!
Overview: Phy.204 is a set of experiments and measurements which demonstrate
classic phenomena in electricity, magnetism, optics, and nuclear radiation. The 204 lab
manual is much less like a “workbook” than the 202 manual – you’ll need to read the
instructions for each lab thoroughly, then study that topic from a textbook if you don’t
understand it – early enough that you have time to do this before lab starts! You will
need a good idea of what is supposed to happen, before-hand, to recognize whether your
data is “useful” or not (apparatus assembled wrong? equipment malfunction?
instrument mis-read? bad device?). This extra responsibility is UN-avoidable : the
subject of our inquiries is invisible, and now its source is also invisible! The lab is
designed for pairs, so there’s only one other to ensure that your team’s consensus is
right. And sorry, the first few labs will be ahead of the lecture. Your neighbor team
should find similar relationships (even if their values are 100 times yours).
The Manual is not a workbook, so you’ll have to write more of a Report.
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One paragraph on what the lab intends to demonstrate or measure: state the
“Law”, relate (chain of logic) to the quantities you measured.
A labeled diagram is worth 100 words.
You should write a paragraph about your outcome – often the interpretation of a
graph in terms of the “Law”– what phenomena and/or parameter values are
implied. Each team member must include their own graph in their own report!
When possible, estimate how “well” the measured quantity was measured (% is
best), and when possible, compute how far from an “accepted value” your result
was (% is friendliest).
List possible sources of error.
The Report is to be written by yourself, outside of class, isolated from discussions with
others about what ought to have been found. You may discuss results with others, but
write from your own mind. DO include Data-collection sheets, Sample Computations
[with UNITS!], Diagrams drawn in lab, etc APPENDED (at end of the Report, as
support). Each lab Report is to be stapled and turned in by the beginning of the next lab
meeting; only included items will count toward your grade. Do include your lab
partner’s name on the first sheet “LP:”.
Deadline:
Lab reports are due at the beginning of the next Lab period. You have to complete your reports at
home, not in the Lab. Lab report and Lab homework will have 10% deducted each day it is late
and will not be accepted for grading if it is more than a week late. If you are absent on the due
date, you should turn in the lab as soon as you can and not wait until the next Lab period.
Absence:
If you have a good reason for being absent, you will be excused only if you notified me in
advance by email. I will try to arrange for you to join another Lab at different time. If you have
an emergency you have to let me know as soon as possible. If you are absent without a good
reason, you will get a score of zero for Lab report for that Lab.
Exams:
We will have two exams:
-Exam1: First 6 experiments
-Exam2: 7 experiments
You must past at least one exam in order to pass the course.
Grading:
Your grade for the course will be distributed as follows:
Lab report:
60%
First Exam:
20%
Second Exam:
20%
Classroom Behavior:
Disorderly conduct that interferes with the normal classroom atmosphere will not be
tolerated.
All cell phones must be turned off before the beginning of class unless special permission
is granted by the instructor. In that case, the cell phone must be set to silent ring mode,
and the student must leave the classroom to answer any call. If a cell phone rings during
class, the student may be required to leave class that day and be marked absent.
Academic Dishonesty:
“Academic Dishonesty is something that will not be tolerated as these actions are
fundamentally opposed to ‘assuring the integrity of the curriculum through the
maintenance of rigorous standards and high expectations for student learning and
performance’ as described in Marshall University’s Statement of Philosophy.” Cheating
and other forms of academic dishonesty will bring serious sanctions, including possible
expulsion, as described in pages 106—109 of the 2007-08 Undergraduate Catalog.
Cheating on an exam will result at minimum in failing the entire course.
You may work together on practice problems but do your own work.
“Policy for Students with Disabilities: It is the responsibility of students with disabilities to
contact the Office of Disabled Student Services (DSS) in Prichard Hall 117, phone 304 696-2271
to provide documentation of their disability. The DSS will then contact me. For more
information, please visit http://www.marshall.edu/disabled or contact Disabled Student Services
Office at Prichard Hall 11, phone 304-696-2271.”
catalog.
Academic Dishonesty Policy: See pp. 106-109 in the undergraduate
www.marshall.edu/catalog/ug 08-09_published.pdf
Department policy requires 2 lab exams; nothing on the exams is to be discussed with
others. You must pass at least one exam to pass the course.
Date:
Experiment:
Jan. 11-13
Exp. 1: Electric Field Mapping
Jan. 18-20
Exp. 2: Ohm’s Law and Kirchoff’s Law
Jan. 25-27
Exp. 3: Wheatstone Bridge
Feb. 1-3
Exp. 4: Heating Effect of Electric Current
Feb. 8-10
Exp. 5: The Oscilloscope
Feb. 15-17
Exp. 6: AC Circuits – I
Feb. 22-24
Exp. 7: AC Circuits – II
Mar. 1-3
Exp. 8: Transistor Amplifier
Mar. 8-10
First Lab Exam: Exp. 1 – AC I
Mar. 15-17
Exp. 9: Reflection and Refraction, Ray Tracing
Mar. 21-25
Spring Break
Mar. 29-31
Exp. 10: Thin Lenses
Apr. 5-7
No Laboratory Due to Assessment Day
Apr. 12-14
Exp. 11: Polarized Light
Apr. 19-21
Exp. 12: Spectrum Analysis/Diffraction Grating
Apr. 26-28
Finals Week: Exam on AC II – Exp. 12