WINTHROP UNIVERSITY
Department of Chemistry, Physics, & Geology
 
Semester: Spring 2011  Course: PHYS 212L -Physics with Calculus Laboratory

LAB SCHEDULE

Textbook: Fundamentals of Physics; Halliday, Resnick, & Walker, HU9th EditionH, John Wiley Publishing.
Students need to register for one of the PHYS 212L   lab sections

Course Objectives: 

• Learn how to design and carry out introductory physics experiments.
• Learn how to use computers for data collection & analysis and graphing.
• Draw conclusions for the experiments and write laboratory reports.

Include the following in the same order for your for your  lab reports:

1) Lab write-up from the web-link. 
2) Graphs, calculations, answers for questions, etc.
3) Conclusion.
4) Staple the report at the top left corner making sure nothing is hidden under the staple.

Rules for the laboratory

1. You must read the web-link  and the relevant materials from the textbook before the lab period and be prepared for the laboratory.
2. Bring the textbook and do not come late.
3. You will work in a group of two. Both partners should actively take part in collecting the data and in the experimental process.
4. At the end of your lab work you need to return all the laboratory equipment to the appropriate places where you took them.
5. You need to handle the equipment carefully, giving special attention when warranted.
6. When you leave the laboratory, you need to make sure the laboratory table is clean and free of any materials.
7. Do not miss any laboratory. You will receive "0" for all missed laboratories.
8. Lab reports are due at the end of the lab period.

Guidelines for conclusion

A conclusion should relate to the papoose of the experiment. Please read the purpose of the experiment before writing a conclusion. Your conclusion should state things that are unique for your investigation it should not be identical to your partners . In length it should be about half  a page   You cannot write your conclusion without completing your experiment. A general statement like "I have determined the densities of given solids and learned a lot" is not acceptable. You need to refer to your data, methods, and results in your conclusion. First you may state  how your results relate to the  purpose of the experiment . Then you may discuss  the errors and their possible causes. Use physics terminology and principles in your discussion. You should explain as completely as possible the reasoning that   lead you to your conclusion. While you are  encourages  to discuss your physics experiments with your  partner's), your written lab report must be your own work. Be honest with your self. Make sure you understand what you have done.