PHYS 251 – Matter and Energy Laboratory

Instructor:

Dr. David A. Whitley

 

 

Office:

Sims 109A

 

 

Email:

whitleyd@winthrop.edu

 

 

Telephone: 

323-4923

 

 

Office Hours:

W 12:00 -12:30 and R, 9:15-9:30 a.m.  and by appointment

 

 

PHYS 251

 

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.

 

Physics labs do not meet the first part week of classes

 

Lab Schedule

 

Date:

Lab - Principles Emphasized

 September 3, 4

Introduction to Data Studio  /  Data acquisition and manipulation

September 10, 11

Student Power - Work and Power

September 17, 18

Pendulum Movement - Experimental Methods

September 24, 25

Density – Measurement, Precision and Significant Figures

October 1, 2

Spread Sheets and Graphing - Manipulating and Displaying Data

October 8, 9

Latent Heat of Fusion - Energy Associated with a Phase Change

October 15, 16

TEST 1 and Electrostatic Charge - Positive and Negative Charges and Induced Charges

October 22, 23

Heat of Solution - Endo and Exothermic Processes

October 29, 30

Experimentally Determining a Chemical Formula

November 5, 6

Titrations (Acids and Bases) - Applying an Analytical Technique

November 12, 13

Solutions and Solubility - Polar and Non-polar Nature of Substances

November 19, 20

Molecular Modeling – Chemical bond length, bond angles, and polarity

December 3, 4

TEST 2

 

 

 


Grading

 

Grades will be the average of the individual lab grades (weighted equally), a mid-term test, and a cumulative final test. The mid-term test will cover the first six labs and count as one lab grade.  The final test will cover all labs and will count as two lab grades.  The tests will consist of problems similar to those in labs and questions concerning material covered.  Grades will be as follows:

 

90-100% A

80-89.9% B

70-79.9% C

60-69.9% D

Below 60% F

 

Each student is required to keep a file of all labs throughout the semester. This will serve as review material for the tests.

 

Attendance to labs is crucially important because labs and tests can not be made up.

 

Attendance to labs is required to receive credit for that lab. 

 

 

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 tell me so that I am aware of your accommodations well before the first {test/paper/assignment}.