Your lab score (200 points) will come from the 13 lab reports (130) and the lab exam (70).  

LAB SCHEDULE

Laboratory: W 2-4:50  or  W 5-7:50, Sims 205.
Students need to register for one of the above lab sections, PHYS 202L.

Textbook: Physics, Cutnell & Johnson, Sixth Edition, Wiley, 2004. 

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.

How to write a conclusion?

* Conclusion is the most important part of your report. You must write your own conclusion.  It must be written as the last piece, after graphs and data tables, of the report. In length, it should be about 1/3 to 1/2 page.

* Conclusion should state things that are unique for your investigation. Just remember that you cannot write your conclusion without completing your experiments or investigations. General statements like "I have determined the densities of given solids" is not acceptable.

* First you should re-state the purpose with some appropriate changes. Then you need to describe your results, including the data tables and graphs. Then you may discuss about some of the difficulties you had, errors and their possible causes, and suggestions for improvement. Describe your reasoning using physics terminology and principles. You should explain as completely as possible what goes through your mind that leads you to your conclusion. While we encourage you to discuss the investigations with your partners, your conclusion must be your own thought.