CaliforniaStatePolytechnicUniversity
Pomona Course Syllabus
Principles of Physics Lab
PHY 121L-12: 1 UnitCo-requisite: PHY 121
CRN: 33729
Building-Room: 3-2019 & 3-2628
Office/Phone:8-229 / (909) 869-4029
Lab Time:M: 3 - 5:30 pm
/ Instructor:
Email:
Office Hours: / Steve Boddeker

M:11:30–noon; 2:30-3; 7:15–9 pm
W:7:15 -9 pm
COURSE
DESCRIPTION / Physics 121L is the laboratory that accompanies Physics 121, the first course of a three-quarter, non-calculus based introductory sequence in physics. The primary content of Physics 121L is mechanics, vectors, statics, uniform motion, accelerated motion, work and energy, momentum, and rotational motion.
TEXT(S) / The Physics 121 Laboratory Manual is available at the Bronco Bookstore.
COURSE
OBJECTIVES / Upon completion of this course, the laboratory should have provided students with the following:
  • An introduction to physics’ role as a basic science with hands-on experience regarding natural phenomena
  • To develop your skills in presenting the results from experimental work in the form of laboratory reports
  • Practical experience with measurements in experimental work including
► Graphing► Uncertainty Analysis
► Calculations► Error Analysis
► Correct use of units
LABORATORY PROCEDURES / Each week a new laboratory exercise will be performed with one partner. Although it is sometimes difficult to fully understand the lab procedures until data collection begins, it is important to review experimental procedures and pertinent theory (& formulas) associated with the lab exercises. If this is not completed before the lab period you may waste the lab period attempting to determine what needs to be completed DURING the lab period. Pre-Labs are designed to aid this review process.
Pre-Labs are designed to guide and to prepare the students for each lab. In some cases the Pre-Labs prepare the student with extra theory which aids in understanding. These Pre-Labs can be difficult since the student may need to consult alternate sources such as the lecture book, professors, or the internet.
Quizzes will be administered following lab introduction. The quizzes will include material that will be covered during the current lab period. *Also upon submission of the quiz (or at the end of the lab period), “notes” collected during the introduction will be reviewed and promptly returned.
Each Laboratory is weighted 7%. Satisfactory data collection is 2%. Completing lab analysis (as indicated by the lab manual) is the remaining 5%. Each student is expected to complete the lab during the allotted 150 minutes or else before the next lab period. Most labs will be completed satisfactorily after being “checked off”. The exceptions not completed and “checked off” during the allotted time will be due to
a complex analysis
a graph minimizing uncertainty
EVALUATIVE
CRITERIA / Satisfactory Laboratories56 %
Pre- Laboratories18 %
Lab Quizzes10%
Formal Laboratory (bonus)6 %
Lab Final / Notebook16 % / Lab reports are evaluated upon the following
  • Laboratory skills (including quality)
  • Data Analysis
  • Understanding of Physics Principles
  • Communication skills (oral & written)

GRADING

/

Grade

/ Grade
Points / Numerical
Equivalent / Grade / Grade
Points / Numerical
Equivalent

SYSTEM

/ A / 4.0 / 90-100 / D / 1.0 / 60-69
B / 3.0 / 80-89 / F / 0.0 / 59 & below
C / 2.0 / 70-79
CALPOLY PHYSICS LAB COURSE
STRUCTURE / Each Student:
(NO group labs, occasionally, I will allow a “group” graph, but each student must ALWAYS include slope points, and all pertinent calculations in their own lab “write-up”.)
  • Completes all scheduled experiments, learning lab techniques with a variety of equipment
  • Documents with a written record of all experimental data and other relevant observations for each experiment (NEVER write a calculation with the original data documented on paper)
  • So how does one explain data sheets for in a lab experiment???
  • Perform calculations for each experiment and summarize results
  • Write sample calculations, record results, plots relevant graphs, and complete any other elements directed by the instructor
  • Maximizes the 2 ½ hours lab period as needed for data acquisition, analysis, and other elements of the experimental report, seeking the instructors guidance as needed
  • All labs and pertinent materials will be compiled into a notebook to be presented at the end of the term. This is required to receive the “flat curve” to raise the class GPA to 3.0.

PHYSICS LAB
POLICIES
GRADING &
DUE DATES
“Write-Ups”
FORMAL LAB
MAKE-UP WEEK
ACADEMIC HONESTY
EMERGENCIES / Department Policy: Students who miss 2 labs will result in a grade of an F.
Your lab ends 150 minutes (2 ½ hours) after start. All lab equipment must be replaced in original order NO LATER than this time.
The overall class GPA will be maintained through a curve (usually adding a flat percentage to everyone’s grade) near the 3.0 GPA level. Plusses & minuses will only be assigned in borderline grades (i.e. 79 < C+ < 79.5 or 79.5 < B- < 80). Most students will complete the experiment the same day as data collection, but submission may be delayed to the following lab period. All labs must be submitted no more than two lab periods after data collection. All labs are worth 90% (you can miss up to 10% before any further deduction); bonus is offered to achieve 100%.
If you do not complete the lab satisfactorily during lab time, you may have to complete a written lab Report (“write-up”) which should include the following (as with all labs, due the following lab period/class):
  • A statement about the purpose of the experiment in the Intro/Theory section
  • List of significant data & results in table format in the Data Table and Results Table sections
  • Quantitative conclusions (i.e. percent difference) based upon significant results
  • Explanation of the discrepancies with expected results
The formal lab is slightly different. You may follow one of two guidelines, either the format of a Senior Project, or a publishable journal article. In both cases, you can assume that you “wrote” the lab manual experiment as a proposal for “your” research project. This FORMAL LABdoesn’t raise your grade until after the 40% value, i.e. 50% adds 1%, 60% adds 2%, and 100% adds 6% to your final grade.
Your make-up lab is a self-contained ninth lab and is completed only if you missed a lab during the regular term. Department policy will only allow you to complete ONE lab during make-up week. Do not move the equipment once you are in lab. The Lab Final is during this week & requires about 50 minutes.
You are expected for follow the University Policy regarding Academic Dishonesty as described in the University Catalog. The department takes this very seriously.
If any unforeseen events occur, please contact me immediately, preferably with email.
Mon / Notes / Physics 121L
27-Mar / Uncertainty Quiz 0 by Mallinckrodt (take home) / 3-2019 Introduction
3-Apr / 3-2628 Constant Acceleration
10-Apr / Quiz 0 is now due / 3-2019Uncertainties in Measurements
17-Apr / 3-2628 Atwood’s Machine
24-Apr / 3-2019 Vectors
1-May / 3-2628 Conserved Quantities
8-May / 3-2019 Uniform Circular Motion
15-May / 3-2628 Rotational Dynamics
22-May / 3-2019 Static Equilibrium
29-May / 5/29 Memorial Day Make-up Week & Lab Final / 3-2628 Make-up Week & Lab Final

Course Syllabus - Page 1 of 2

03/2017