PHYS 251 – Matter and Energy Laboratory

Instructor:

Kristen Kull

Office:

Sims 107B

Email:

kullk@winthrop.edu

Telephone: 

323-4921

Office Hours:

F 11:30 – 12:20, or by appointment

 

PHYS 251 is a one (1) credit hour course.  PHYS 251 meets in Sims 207. 

Physics labs do not meet the first week of classes. 

Course Description

PHYS251 –Matter and Energy Lab is a separate course from PHYS250 with an independent grade.  It facilitates learning many of the same principles and applications of physical science discussed in PHYS 250.  Critical thinking and the application of science and scientific methods will be emphasized.  Each week we will explore some important scientific principle or a phenomenon to learn more about Matter and Energy.  It is important that the student engage with the material, classmates and the instructor for discussion and participation.  This is an active course.  Participation affects lab grades.

To facilitate achievement of University Level Competency # 3, understanding the interconnected nature of the world and the time in which they live, these students are taught to look deeper into natural tendencies and understand why they occur.  The majority of the student population in this course will have a direct influence on the formative minds of our children.  In addition to being able to present a ‘cool’ demonstration, these future teachers can explain the science behind the magic.  Physics 251 students learn to recognize how their chosen area of study is inextricably linked to other fields. 

In addition, students are required to develop or research a new experiment which aligns with elementary age children, the level most will be teaching.  To fulfill University Level Competency #4, these students must write instructions with basic scientific explanations, to be used by their colleagues.  The project culminates by oral presentation and experiment demonstration.  As a class, members exchange ideas through a session of classroom constructive criticism.

Course Objectives

·         Learn how to design and carry out physics and chemistry experiments.

·         Learn how to use computers for data collection & analysis and graphing.

·         Draw conclusions for the experiments and write laboratory reports.

·         Learn to the point of being able to apply concepts and scientific approaches to think critically about the world around them.

 

Student Competencies

·         Demonstrate proficiency using Data Studio to collect, display and analyze data.

·         Demonstrate understanding of scientific methods in designing and carrying out experiments.

·         Demonstrate proficiency with measurements including correct precision and significant figures.

·         Demonstrate understanding of all subjects emphasized in lab activities.

Students with Disabilities

            Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education.  If you have a disability and need classroom accommodations, please contact Gena Smith, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-3290, as soon as possible.  Once you have your Professor Notification Form, please inform me so that I am aware of your accommodations well before the first {test/paper/assignment}.

Student Conduct Code: 

            Turn cell phones off during lecture.  “Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.”  Distractive or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.  Carefully read the Winthrop University Conduct Code and the policy on student academic misconduct as outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy”.  An electronic copy of the document may be found printed in the Winthrop University Student Handbook online at: http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf.  Infractions will be handled individually through counseling.   Without satisfactory resolution, the student may be dismissed from class, receiving a zero for the lab.   Additionally, cheating and plagiarism in any form is not permitted. 

The following is a tentative schedule for labs; modifications may be made.

Wk

Date:

Lab - Principles Emphasized

1

Jan 15/16

No Class

2

Jan 22/23

Pendulum Movement - Experimental Methods and Scientific Approach

3

Jan 29/30

Density - Measurement, Precision and Significant Figures

4

Feb 5/6

Spreadsheets and Graphing - Manipulating and Displaying Data

5

Feb 12/13

Student Power – Calculation of Work and Power

6

Feb 19/20

Calorimetry – Heat transfer between Hot and Cold masses   DS

7

Feb 26/27

Introduction to Data Studio - Acquisition and manipulation of data       DS

8

Mar 5/6

Latent Heat of Fusion - Energy Associated with a Phase Change

9

Mar 12/13

Charge (Induced, contact); Magnetic fields

Mar 17-21

Spring Break

10

Mar 26/27

Titrations (Acids and Bases) - Applying an Analytical Technique

11

Apr 2/3

Experimentally Determining a Chemical Formula

12

Apr 9/10

TBD

13

Apr 16/17

Instructor Experiments/Review

14

Apr 23/24

Test/Project

            *  Rock Hill School District late start day

Grading

            Grades will be the average of the individual lab grades (weighted equally) and a cumulative test or project given/presented the last meeting time of the semester.  The test/project will count as two lab grades.  This test will consist of problems similar to those in labs and questions concerning material covered.  The project will be student devised, evaluated and edited by classmates.  Project revisions will be made by the devising team and presented to the class.  Each lab is worth 100 points, and the test/project is worth 200.   The lowest lab grade will be dropped, thus making a combined course total possible of 1300 points.  Grades will be assigned as follows:

90-100% A      80-89.9% B     70-79.9% C     60-69.9% D     Below 60% F

Each student is urged to keep a file of all labs throughout the semester and notes taken in lab.  These will serve as review material.

Attendance

            Attendance to labs is extremely important because labs and the test cannot be made up.  Attendance at labs is required to receive credit for that lab. 

A student must be present during the entire period in order to be counted present.  Any student absent for more than 20% of labs will not receive a passing grade for the course