Grading Policy:
Lab Writeups | 70% |
Final Exam | 30% |
Missing Labs: There are no make-up labs. I will, however, drop
your lowest lab grade.
If you are not physically present for a lab, you may not get the data
from another student in the class to complete the lab. In other words,
to get any credit for a lab you must be present for its execution. With
that said, you get no credit for just showing up for the lab. You must
turn in something to get any credit for being there.
Due Dates: Labs are due one week from the date of execution of the lab (unless otherwise stated). I will not accept any late labs. Any labs not in my box, under my door, or in my hand by midnight of the due date will not be accepted nor graded.
Use of Lab Equipment: Much of the lab equipment has been recently purchased. Because the market for lab equipment is small (as compared to general consumer electronics), the prices are high despite the fact that the equipment may not look fancy like a walkman might. Please treat the equipment carefully and put it back where you found it so as to ensure that it lasts many semesters.
Final: The final will cover significant digits, uncertainty,
units, and material relevant to the various
labs that we do. Therefore, if you miss a lab, it will be to your benefit
to obtain a copy of the lab description for the lab that you missed.
It will be given the last week of classes (as this is a lab class,
it is exempt from the rules that the final be given during finals week).
Cheating: You will work in groups of various sizes for the different labs. However, your write-ups should be written entirely by yourself. I encourage you to discuss the lab, problems that you might have had, and sources of error with each other.
Grading Abbreviations: The following notations might appear on
your graded lab write-ups:
SD | error in significant digits |
U | missing or incorrect units |
L | missing or incorrect label |
MB | make better or bigger graph |
? | not clear if right or wrong; probably wrong |
huh? | I don't understand what you wrote |
NN | not necessary |
NO | not correct |
NO! | not correct and you should know better |
Sample Lab Report:
Syllabus:Week 1 | Feb. 3 | Measurements & Uncertainty |
Week 2 | Feb. 10 | Air Track 1: Velocity and Acceleration |
Week 3 | Feb. 17 | Force Table |
Week 4 | Feb. 24 | Simple Pendulum |
Week 5 | March 3 | Hooke's Law & SHM |
Week 6 | March 10 | Wave Motion on a String |
Week 7 | March 17 | SPRING BREAK |
Week 8 | March 24 | Air Track 2: Collisions |
Week 9 | March 31 | |
Week 10 | April 7 | |
Week 11 | April 14 | |
Week 12 | April 21 | Torque |
Week 13 | April 28 | Thermo Lab |
Week 14 | May 5 | Computer Lab: TBA |
Week 15 | May 12 | EXAM |
Physics Jokes
The Trouble With Units....
A man hasn't been feeling well, so he goes to his doctor for a complete checkup. Afterward the doctor comes out with the results. "I'm afraid I have some very bad news," the doctor says. "You're dying and you don't have much time left." "Oh, that's terrible!" says the man. "How long have I got?" "Ten," the doctor says sadly. "Ten?" the man asks. "Ten what? Months? Weeks? What?" "Nine..."