Spring 2023
Lab Start Dates
January 23rd: PHYS 0150
January 23rd: PHYS 0102
January 30th: PHYS 0151
January 31th: PHYS 0101
January 24th: PHYS 0171
January 23rd: PHYS 1250
Check the Lab Schedule for more details.
Lab Procedure
Students will work in assigned groups of 3 or fewer students and complete an experiment during each lab meeting. There will be 10 labs total. Procedures for each lab can be accessed via your Lab Schedule or in the Experiments section. Please obey the following guidelines for each lab:
- Leave the lab exactly how you found it! Other sections use the same rooms and equipment. Be considerate of students and lab staff by taking care of the equipment.
- Report all problems/breakages immediately! Don't try to fix something yourself. You may not repair it correctly, which may result in taking data using broken or uncalibrated equipment.
- Come to the lab prepared! Read the Lab Procedure ahead of time and complete the pre-lab exercises.
- A lab write-up for each group is due at the end of the lab session. It should be submitted electronically to Canvas.
Pre-Lab Assignment
A pre-lab assignment is given in the lab procedure for each lab. Students will submit the pre-lab online through Canvas before the lab as assigned. The TA will then grade the pre-lab during the intervening time and provide feedback to the students. Failure to complete a pre-lab will cause an automatic “Needs Improvement” for the lab.
Grading Policy
Labs are taken pass-fail. Students must complete each lab in order to pass the course. Absence from a lab without permission could lead to an F or incomplete in the course. The following grading scheme will be used for each lab:
Excellent (E), Passing (P), Needs Improvement (NI), Fail (F)
If two NI grades are received, any further NI grades will turn into an F. Successful completion of the lab includes handing in a pre-lab exercise for every lab. The above grades will be based on the following aspects each lab write-up.
- Presentation
The report should be clear, organized and readable. Consult the Graphing Guide for guidelines on making graphs. - Questions
Correct answers to the questions listed in the lab procedure will receive full credit. - Results and Conclusions
Must include a summary of the data, graphs (clearly labeled) and conclusions. Should also include a comparison of actual results with expected results and a discussion of sources of error with numerical estimates
Note: Points will NOT be deducted because of "bad data" (i.e. results that deviate from an expected data due to experimental error) as long as you provided a thorough examination of your error in the "Discussion, Sources of Error and Conclusions" section.
9-10 points = Excellent
7-8 points = Passing
6 = Needs Improvement
5 or lower= Failing