PHYSICS 171
GENERAL CLASS INFORMATION
Fall 2009
Lab Section:
Section #
Day
Time
TA: ……………………………….
Contact info:
...............................
Office hours: ...............................
Lab Coordinator:
Dr. V. Petkov
phone 774-3395; e-mail: petkov@phy.cmich.edu
Office hours: by arrangement
Course Description: In this course we will perform a series of
simple
experiments illustrating several principles of electricity, magnetism
and
optics. You may find these exercises helpful in illuminating topics
covered in
the lecture courses dealing with the same topics. However, the intent
of the
course is not simply to supplement the lectures. Its main objective is
to allow
you to learn how to make careful and critical measurements, organize
your
observations in the form of written report, use and become familiar
with modern
instrumentation and develop “trouble shooting” skills. The experiments
are
listed below and their descriptions are posted at http://www.phy.cmich.edu/courses/phy171/
as ADOBE PDF files. It is student's responsibility to print
out the
description of the lab for the week. It is essential that you read it
before
coming to class. Also, when come to class you should bring and show to
your
instructor a brief introduction, up to one page, stating the objectives
of
the lab, the experimental approach and the principles to be examined.
This
introduction constitutes the first part of your lab report. The other
parts are
data sheets, sample calculations, plots (if any) and a conclusion. The
conclusion should summarize your results and discuss how they meet your
expectation outlined in the introduction. Students, who come unprepared
for
class, including a missing introduction, will see their grade reduced
up to 10
%.
Lab reports: Each student must turn in a report for each
lab.
In most cases, students complete everything during the lab period and
turn in
their lab report (introduction, data sheets, calculations, plots and
conclusions) to the instructor before leaving. If you do not hand
in your
lab report to the instructor at the end of class, there will be a
"drop-off
box" outside of Dow 231. Please take care to deposit your lab
reports
in the correct box. Lab reports will be graded on a 10-point scale.
Deadlines: Completed lab reports are due by 5 p.m. on the Friday
following class. Lab reports handed in late will receive a zero.
Procedure: Please hang up your coats and book bags when you
enter. Show
the introduction you have prepared to your Instructor, listen to
his/her
specific or general comments and instructions, and then start working.
Do not leave the lab until you are sure that all your data has been
properly collected.
In most cases you will finish taking data before the lab period
ends. If
this is the case, you are expected to complete your report during the
remainder
of class and turn it in before you leave.
You are expected to leave your lab station as you found it. Your
instructor may
deduct points from your lab report if your station is left in a mess.
You may
be held responsible for damaged or missing equipment at your lab
station, so
have it checked by your Instructor before you leave.
Lab Partners: Unless the class is over subscribed, you may work
with
only one lab partner. Groups of three may be permitted if the
experiments
allow & require it.
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory! Labs can only be made
up if
the absence is due to serious circumstances and if the Lab Coordinator
is
notified immediately of your absence.
Exams: There will be a mid-term exam covering labs 1-5 and a
final exam
covering labs 6-12. The exams will be "lab practicals." You
will be asked to make and interpret measurements and perform
calculations
similar to those done in the lab the previous weeks.
The exams will be open notes and books. They will be two hours
long.
Grades: The grade in this course will be based on your weekly
lab
reports, and your performance on the mid-term and final exam.
Each will
count towards one-third of your final grade. The average grade in this
course has been in the "B" range.
Open Lab Time: The laboratory may be opened also during the
instructor’s
office hours and at other times by arrangement. This time may be
used to
check experimental results, prepare for the exams, or to make-up labs
that were
missed because of excused absences.
CMU provides students with disabilities reasonable accommodation to
participate
in educational program, activities or services. Students with
disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in class
activities or
meet course requirements should contact your instructor as early as
possible.
PHYSICS 171
Lab Schedule
Fall 2009
Dates
Lab
Week 1 Begin Exp. 1: Direct
Current
Measurement and Ohm's Law
Week 2 Finish Exp. 1: Direct
Current
Measurement and Ohm's Law
Week 3 Exp. 2: Kirchhoff's
Laws
Week 4 Exp. 3: Ammeters
and
Voltmeters
Week 5 Exp. 4: Alternating
Current
Measurements
Week 6 Exp. 5: Attenuation
and
Phase Shift
Week 7 Mid-term Exam (Covers Exps. 1-5)
Week 8 Exp. 6: Transient
Response
of an RC Circuit
Week 9 Exp. 7: The PN Junction and Diodes
Week 10 Exp. 8: The Charge of
an Electron
Week 11 Exp. 9: Magnetic
Force on a
Current Carrying Wire
Week 12 Exp. 10: Faraday's Law of Induction
Week 13 Exp. 11: Geometrical
Optics: Reflection and Refraction
Week 14 Exp. 12: Physical
Optics: Diffraction, Interference, and Polarization of Light
Last week of the semester: Final Exam (Covers Exps. 6-12)