WINTHROP UNIVERSITY
Department of Chemistry, Physics, & Geology
 
Semester: Spring 2002    Course: PHYS 212L -Physics with Calculus Laboratory

LAB SCHEDULE

Laboratory: W 2-4:50  or  W 5- 7:50 PM  or  R 2:00 - 4:50 AM, Kinard 17.
Students need to register for one of the above lab sections, PHYS 202L.

Instructor: Dr. Ponn Maheswaranathan (Mahes), Associate Professor of Physics
Office: 107 Bancroft Hall, Office Hours: M & W 10:00 - 12:30 or by appointment.
Phone: 323 2113 Ext. 6440, E-mail: MAHESP@WINTHROP.EDU

Textbook: Physics, Giancoli, Fifth Edition, Prentice Hall, 1998.
 
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

Conclusion should state things that are unique for your investigation. In length it should not less than half a page and more than a page. Just remember that you cannot write your conclusion without completing your experiments or investigations. A general statement like "I have determined the densities of given solids" is not acceptable. You need to refer to your data, methods, and results in your conclusion. First you may state your results for the purpose. Then you may discuss about the errors and their possible causes. 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 your physics experiments with your partners, your written lab report must be your own work.