Physics 121L: Basic Physics Laboratory
| Professor: | P. Renteln |
| Office: | PS-116 |
| Hours: | Check here |
| Phones: | (909) 537-5402 (my office) (909) 537-5397 (department office) |
| Email: | prenteln at csusb dot edu |
| Homepage |
Location: Physical Sciences 124
Course Description: This is the laboratory course associated to Physics 121.
Required Text: A laboratory manual will be distributed on CD. You may either print it out or bring the CD to class for use in your own computer or a laboratory computer.
Recommended Text: J. R. Taylor, An Introduction to Error Analysis (University Science Books, Sausalito, 1982).
Requirements:
Reading Assignments: You are expected to read the laboratory manual for the week's experiment PRIOR to coming to class. Although I will briefly discuss the procedure to be followed, it is your responsibility to know how to complete the experiment. You are also strongly urged to read the suggested assignments in Taylor. Those readings and their concomitant application in the lab constitute one of the most important parts of the course. You will be tested on error analysis in the laboratory final exam. (See below.)
Writeups: A writeup of each experiment is required. Although you are encouraged to work together on experiments, the writeup must be your own work. It must contain the following parts:
1 |
Names
and Numbers. Your name and that of your lab partner (if any), as
well as your section number and the experiment number and date. |
2 |
Summary of
Objectives. A brief (one paragraph) summary of the methods and aims
of the experiment. |
3 |
Results.
A tabular presentation of the raw experimental data (usually the worksheet
from the laboratory manual), followed by tables and/or graphs (if appropriate)
of the reduced data. Examples of all the major formulae and computations
employed to carry out the data analysis. |
4 |
Discussion.
Discussion of the results and a brief summary of the findings of the
experiment. Possible sources of error and suggested methods to improve
accuracy. Answers to any questions not answered elsewhere in the writeup. |
Examination: A final examination will be administered during the last laboratory session. The final examination will test your knowledge of the experimental techniques as well as the physics surrounding each of the experiments you performed during the quarter.
Attendance: Laboratory attendance is mandatory. If you miss your regularly scheduled laboratory for a legitimate reason, and if you are able, you may make it up at another regularly scheduled laboratory during the same week, provided you have the consent of BOTH instructors. If you are unable to attend any of the laboratory sections in a given week, but you have a legitimate excuse, the grade for that laboratory will be dropped (i.e., the others will be averaged). If you have more than two (2) unexcused absences you automatically fail the laboratory, and therefore the course. The ONE EXCEPTION to this policy is if you have influenza. IF YOU ARE ILL, OR SUSPECT YOU ARE ILL, DO NOT COME TO CLASS. We do not need a pandemic on our hands. Please notify me BY EMAIL OR PHONE if you are not well, and we will work out an accommodation. If you are unable to notify me, have a friend or relative do so.
Grading: Due to the budget crisis, laboratory writeups will be graded selectively. Some weeks they will be graded entirely, while some weeks they will be graded cursorily. You will not know in advance which weeks are which, so you should do your best on all of them.
| Weights: |
Writeups |
75% |
| Lab Final Exam |
25% |
Other Policies:
Disabilities: If you are in need of an accommodation for a disability in order to participate in this class, please contact Services to Students with Disabilities at UH-183, (909) 537-5238.
Academic Dishonesty: Any kind of plagiarism or cheating on an assignment will result in a failing grade for the class and may lead to serious academic sanctions by the University.
Budget Cuts: Due to the extraordinary financial situation of the (failed) State of California, some laboratories will not meet. As of now there will be NO LABORATORY SESSIONS on Monday 10/26/09, nor on Monday 11/30/09. If there are any additional lab closures I will notify you in class or, if necessary, by email. For this reason, you should check your CSUSB email account regularly.