Physics
174: Physics Lab Introduction
Fall 2007, Prof.
Arpita Upadhyaya
What the course is about:
Physics 174 is an introductory Physics Lab that meets for
two hours each week in Room 3115 of the
Web Site: To get the latest information on
Physics 174, check our web site at:
http://www.physics.umd.edu
then go to Academics, Courses, Phys 174, Fall 2007
Or http://www.physics.umd.edu/courses/Phys174/index.html
Or, you can get there by logging onto the elms course page: www.elms.umd.edu.
You will need to use your U Maryland Directory ID and password to reach the
class pages.
Lab sections: I teach
three lab sections on Wednesday:
|
Section |
Day |
Time |
Teaching Assistant |
|
0101 |
Wednesday |
|
Hao Li |
|
0105 |
Wednesday |
|
Hao Li |
|
0102 |
Wednesday |
|
Brandon Anderson |
In
addition, Prof. Kev Abazajian has one section on Tuesday and Professor
Elizabeth Beise has three sections on Thursday. If
you miss class, you might be able to make it up during one of these sections.
Contact them for permission.
|
Section |
Day |
Time |
Instructor |
Teaching Assistant |
|
0107 |
Tuesday |
|
Kev Abazajian |
Justin Wilson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0104 |
Thursday |
|
Elizabeth Beise |
Hao Li |
|
0106 |
Thursday |
|
Elizabeth Beise |
Justin Wilson |
|
0103 |
Thursday |
|
Elizabeth Beise |
Brandon Anderson |
My contact Information:
Prof.
Arpita Upadhyaya
Office: IPST Bldg, Rm
1115A
Phone: 405-9939
Email: arpitau@umd.edu
Office
Hours:
You can try stopping by my office at any time but the best way to reach me is
to make an appointment by e-mail (preferable) or phone.
Course Instructor for Tuesday section:
Prof. Kev Abazajian
Office:
Room 4101
Phone: 405-6009
E-mail: kev@umd.edu
Course Instructor for Thursday sections:
Prof. Betsy Beise
Office:
Physics Bldg, Rm 2220C
Phone: 405-6109
E-mail: beise@umd.edu
Teaching Assistants:
|
Name |
Hao Li |
Brandon
Anderson |
|
Physics
Dept Office: |
4223 |
3103B |
|
Phone |
405-6192 |
405-6189 |
|
Email |
lihao@umd.edu |
|
|
Office
hours |
By
appt |
By
appt |
Prerequisites: The only prerequisite or co-requisite
for the course is Math 140. This course is intended for, but not limited to,
students who are interested in majoring in Physics.
Texts: Physics
174 Lab Manual - Fall 2005 edition.
Also you'll need a book on data analysis: "A Practical Guide to Data
Analysis for Physical Science Students" by Louis Lyons or Intro to Error
Analysis by
Arriving late to
class:
Classes at
Lab Makeup Time: If you miss your regular lab
section, then you should make that lab up by going to another section that same
week. If you have questions about the lab, the equipment, or the homework, you
can also stop by during this time. If you cannot attend another section,
contact your instructor ASAP and a time for a makeup lab will be arranged. In
general, this should be done the same week as the lab is scheduled. Because the
other sections are full, it is also very hard to do a make up, so do not miss your lab section.
Grading:
50% Lab
Spreadsheets
20% Homework: do
the homework!!!
15% Test on spreadsheet, errors and
measurements
15% Test on the oscilloscope and
electrical circuits
Missing
one Lab (and not making it up before the next lab) will cost one letter grade
in your final grade. Missing one homework set will cost one-half of a letter
grade in your final grade. No credit will be given for late homework unless you
are seriously ill and provide a written note from your physician.
Homework is assigned at the end of each Lab. You
will turn your homework electronically (we'll tell you how to do this at the
first meeting) and you can turn it in anytime during the week, but by no later
than
General Comments on Homework: Finishing
all the labs and homework sets is very important. Missing even one homework set
will definitely hurt your grade. Just do it! Also, if you can't completely
finish a homework set, turn in what you do have. When you are working on the
homework sets, feel free to discuss among yourselves to try to figure out what
is going on. However, do not use these discussions as an excuse to copy someone
else's solution to the homework, or let someone else copy your solution. That
is cheating and is strictly forbidden. It is also very self-defeating since
another part of your grade will come from tests. The right way
to discuss the homework is to first work through a problem on your own and
arrive at a definite answer. With this preparation you can then discuss
intelligently with your colleagues and see if you have missed something
essential. Of course, you can always ask one of your instructors - that's what
we are here for. One final thing, if you get something fundamental wrong
on a homework set or the practical tests, you will probably be assigned extra
problems to solve until you master the concept.
Note the two
exams on Oct 9/10/11 and Dec 5/6/7!
Aug 29/30/31 : NO CLASS
Sep 04/05/06: Exercise 1: Introduction to Excel
Sep 11/12/13: Exercise 2: Measurements, Errors and Uncertainties
Sep 18/19/20: Exercise 4: Straight Line Fits Using Excel and c2
Sep 25/26/27: Exercise 5*: Using c2 to test a Theory
Oct 02/03/04: Exercise 6 (Review of Spreadsheets and Errors)
Oct 09/10/11: EXAM (called
Exercise 7): on Spreadsheets and Errors
Oct 16/17/18: Exercise 8: Resistors and Multimeters
Oct 23/24/25: Exercise 9: Measuring Currents and Voltages
Oct 30/31/Nov 01: Exercise 10: Digital Oscilloscope and Function Generator
Nov 06/07/08: Exercise 11: The Oscilloscope and AC Signals
Nov 13/14/15: Exercise 12: Reflection of Voltage
Pulses
Nov 20/21/22: Thanksgiving week. No lab
Nov 27/28/29: Exercise 13 (Review of Circuits)
Dec 04/05/06: EXAM (called Exercise 14): on Circuits and Error Analysis