Physics 251:   Introductory Physics Laboratory

Schedule for Spring Semester 2016

Sections on Mon. (sections 001-004 and 021)
will do Lab 1 on Mon., Jan. 11, 2016.

All other sections (Tues. through Thurs.)
will meet briefly on Jan. 12-14,
and do Lab 1 the following week Jan. 19-21.


Useful resources:
  • Appendix C Contents of a Lab Report click here
  • Appendix A Dealing with Uncertainties click here
  • Appendix B Excel Commands click here
  • PHY251 Syllabus click here
  • Cover sheet click here
  • Schedule of Sections by TA (including their email addresses) click here


    Click on the experiment's name in the table below to obtain the write-up for each week.
    You must print out at least the questions section each week before coming to lab.
    The write-ups are available on the lab computers or you may use a laptop or tablet
    while conducting the experiment but NOT during the quiz.
    Quizzes will be closed book. No Quiz for Lab 1

    Dates
    Lab #
    Experiment
    Jan. 11 - 14
    1M
    Introduction (all sections). Just Mon. sections Introduction to Computers and Uncertainties also Contents of a Lab Report
    Jan. 18 - 21
    1T
    No Mon. sections (MLK day), Tues. - Thurs. sections Introduction to Computers and Uncertainties and Contents of a Lab Report
    Jan. 26 - 29
    2
    Reaction Time
    Feb. 1 - 4
    3
    Free Fall (Measuring g)
    Feb. 8 - 11
    4
    Newton's 2nd Law
    Feb. 15 - 18
    5
    Inelastic Collisions
    Feb. 22 - 25
    6
    Elastic Collisions
    Feb. 29 - Mar. 3
    P1
    Practical #1
    Mar. 7 - 10
    -
    Spring Break
    Mar. 14 - 17
    7
    Heat Equivalent of Mech. Energy
    Mar. 21 - 24
    8
    Moment of Inertia
    Mar. 28 - 31
    9
    The Pendulum
    Apr. 4 - 7
    10
    The Spring
    Apr. 11 - 14
    11
    Waves
    Apr. 18 - 21
    12
    Sound/Resonance in a pipe
    Apr. 25 - 28
    P2
    Practical #2


    Last updated on Jan. 10, 2016 by (email link) C. Bromberg