GENERAL INFORMATION:
Physics 192 consists of a series of experiments in optics and modern physics. The description for each experiment can be found here (in pdf format). You are expected to read the material and prepare yourself before coming to class as there will not be sufficient time to start from scratch during the three hour laboratory session. The laboratory period will start with a brief quiz (worth 2 points) to test on preparation.
You will do the experiments in groups of two. You may collaborate with your partner in data taking, but you are expected to do independent calculations and write independent reports.
The reference for this course is "An Introduction to Error Analysis" by John R. Taylor, published by University Science Books. Some homework will be assigned from this text. The homework will be handed in with the lab report and will be worth 1 point per problem. The instructions for each experiment, homework and this syllabus are on the web at http://www.pa.msu.edu/courses/current/PHY192/
THE COURSE GOALS:
During this course, we expect you:
* to become familiar with some laboratory experiment and procedures.
* to make careful and critical measurements.
* to record and organize your observations.
* to estimate uncertainties in your measurements and to judge whether your
measurements are consistent with previous measurements.
Before each class, you will be expected to read the description of the experiment and read sections of the book by Taylor to clarify how to perform the necessary error estimations. This advance preparation is essential if you wish to successfully finish the lab and to solve the quiz over the lab material that will be given to you at the beginning of class. Your laboratory measurements will be performed during class. You should also perform calculations during class to determine whether your measurements are valid. If you blindly take data without checking it, your grade will suffer.
LABORATORY REPORTS:
The Notebook: You must purchase a lab book which has carbon paper and duplicate sheets in it. You will record your original measurements in the lab book. All calculations, answers to the questions, error estimations, etc. must be there. Using the carbon paper, you will make two copies of the lab write-up. The original will be handed in to your instructor at the begining of the next lab period. You will retain the copy for your records and to assist you in the preparation for the final exam. In your lab report you will provide:
1. a short description of your procedure - there is no need to duplicate the material presented in the lab write-up. This description should include identifying material which will allow your instructor to determine the equipment and sample material used in your experiments.
2. all your original data including the uncertainties in each measurement. The original data may be taped or stapled into the typed lab report.
3. all the steps used in your data analysis including your calculations of the uncertainties in the derived quantities you calculate. You may use spreadsheets (such as Excel) to help with your calculations but you must show one complete sample calculation for each quantity you are asked to calculate.
4. all of your results and conclusions including any graphs or tables. Computer printouts of graphs and tables may be stapled or taped to the lab report.
5. answers to all questions posed in the lab write-up.
6. a brief discussion of ways that you think the experiment could be improved.
7. the assigned homework.
Your lab report must be typed and consist of the information listed above plus your name, student number, section number, and experiment title. An outline of what information should be in a lab report can be found here.
All your work should be in the lab report - including any mistakes or duplicate measurements. In other words, your lab report is a recording of the procedure that you went through including, any false steps. False steps should be neatly crossed out and a note should be recorded in the lab book indicating the nature of the mistake. This is the method used by practicing scientists for the recording of their experimental measurements.
Attendance is mandatory. If you have an excused medical absence, your instructor will determine whether you will be permitted to do a makeup or whether you will be graded on the remaining 8 reports.
GRADING:
Your grade will be based on the
beginning of class quizzes (2 points per quiz), homework problems from Taylor (1 point per problem) and the lab reports. The lab reports will be graded on
the results of your experiments, quality of your reports and on a practical
exam at the end of the semester with the weights given in the following table:
|
Number |
Week |
Experiment |
Points |
|
1 |
Jan. 12 |
Orientation |
-- |
|
|
Jan. 19 |
No classes MLK holiday |
|
|
2 |
Jan. 26 |
Optical Micrometer |
20 |
|
3 |
Feb. 2 |
Diffraction & Interference I |
40 |
|
3 |
Feb. 9 |
Diffraction & Interference II |
-- |
|
4 |
Feb. 16 |
Optical Activity |
20 |
|
5 |
Feb. 23 |
Grating Spectrometer |
20 |
|
6 |
March 1 |
Electron Charge and Mass I |
40 |
|
|
March 8 |
Spring Break |
|
|
6 |
March 15 |
Electron Charge and Mass II |
-- |
|
7 |
March 22 |
Introduction to Radiation |
20 |
|
8 |
March 29 |
Absorption of Radiation |
20 |
|
9 |
April 5 |
Half-Life Measurement |
20 |
|
10 |
April 12 |
The Compton Effect I |
40 |
|
10 |
April 19 |
The Compton Effect II |
-- |
|
|
April 26 |
In-Lab Practical Exam |
40 |
|
|
|
TOTAL |
280 |