Physics 174: Physics Lab Introduction

Syllabus - Fall 2006 - Wellstood

What the course is about:

Physics 174 is an introductory Physics Lab. Each section of Physics 174 meets for two hours each week in Room 3115 of the Physics Building. In this course you will be expected to master a few basic ideas and tools which you will need for later labs, including: understanding experimental errors, using computer spreadsheets for analyzing, plotting and fitting data, and working with simple electrical circuits and electrical measuring equipment.

Web Site: To get the latest information on Physics 174, check our web site at:

http://www.physics.umd.edu/courses/Phys174/index.html

Lab sections: There are 7 lab sections:

section	Day	Time	Instructor	Teaching Assistant
0107	Tuesday	2 - 3:50 PM	Fred Wellstood	TBA
0101	Wednesday	9 - 10:50 AM	Betsy Beise	Aleksandr Azatov
0105	Wednesday	12 noon - 1:50 PM	Betsy Beise	James Harding
0102	Wednesday	2 - 3:50 PM	Betsy Beise	Aleksandr Azatov
0104	Thursday	9 - 10:50 AM	Arpita Upadhyaya	Aleksandr Azatov
0106	Thursday	12 noon - 1:50 PM	Arpita Upadhyaya	Aleksandr Azatov
0103	Thursday	2 - 3:50 PM	Arpita Upadhyaya	James Harding

Don't arrive late to class:

Classes at Maryland begin right on the hour. It is important that you arrive on time to Physics 174 so that you can get instructions for the lab and have time to finish. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, you will probably not be allowed into the lab and will have to make it up in another section during the week.

Course Instructor for Tuesday section:

Prof. Fred Wellstood

Office: Room 0367 Physics Building

Phone: 405-7649

E-mail: well@squid.umd.edu

Course Instructor for Wednesday sections:

Prof. Betsy Beise

Office: Physics Bldg, Rm 2220C

Phone: 405-6109

E-mail: beise@umd.edu

Course Instructor for Thursday sections:

Prof. Arpita Upadhyaya

Office: Room 0367 Physics Building

Phone: 405-4877

E-mail: arpitau@umd.edu

* Office Hours: You can try stopping by Professor Wellstood's office at any time except Fridays noon to 4 (when I am teaching a section of Physics 276), but if you can't find me, make an appointment by phone or e-mail.

* 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.

* Teaching Assistants: TBA

* Prerequisites: The only prerequisite or co-requisite for the course is Math 140.

* Texts: "Physics 174 Lab Manual", 2004 Edition or later.

"A Practical Guide to Data Analysis for Physical Science Students" by Louis Lyons.

Also recommended but not required is "EXCEL 97 at a Glance" by Microsoft.

* 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.

* Homework is assigned at the end of each Lab. You will turn your homework in via WebCT (www.courses.umd.edu) and you can turn it in anytime during the week, but by no later than the start of your next lab. Graded homework should be available a week after you turn it in.

* No credit will be given for late homework unless you are seriously ill and provide a written note from your physician.

* 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 get paid 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.

Important Dates (preliminary)

---------------- First week of semester: no lab Aug 29-31

EXERCISE 1. Introduction to Excel Sep 5-7

EXERCISE 2. Measurements, Errors and Uncertainties Sep 12-14

EXERCISE 4. Straight Line Fits Using Excel and c² Sep 19-21

EXERCISE 5. Propagation of Errors Sep 26-28

EXERCISE 6. FIRST REVIEW Oct 3-5

EXERCISE 7 EXAM on Errors and Spreadsheets Oct 10-12

EXERCISE 8. Resistors and Multimeters Oct 17-19

EXERCISE 9. Measuring Currents and Voltages Oct 24-26

EXERCISE 10. Introduction to the Digital Oscilloscope Oct 31-Nov 2

EXERCISE 11. The Oscilloscope and AC Signals Nov 7-9

EXERCISE 12. Reflection of Pulses Nov 14-16

---------------- Thanksgiving week: no lab Nov 19-24

EXERCISE 13. Review of Circuits Nov 28-30

EXERCISE 14. EXAM on Circuits and Error Analysis Dec 5-7

EXERCISE 15. Make-up Lab/ EXAM STUDY DAY Dec 12-13