Physics I Laboratory

PHYS-203, 1 cr.

Course Description

PHYS-203, Physics I Laboratory: Laboratory course covering an integrated sequence of laboratories related to, mechanics, waves and thermodynamics. PHYS-203 is meant to be taken concurrently. with PHYS-206, or PHYS-201. See also the department course description. The list of specific topics to be studied can be found on the syllabus page. 1.0 Credits.

Course Objectives

The experiments in this laboratory course are intended to develop a deeper understanding of physics concepts related to mechanics, waves and thermodynamics. In addition, this laboratory provides a practical foundation for the material covered in PHYS-206, and PHYS-201, as well as encouraging collaborative learning among students. Lab activities encourage students to construct physical models based on observations and experiments.

These experiments are designed to enhance traditional laboratory skills, and to reinforce topics covered in both lectures and readings. To achieve these goals each experiment has been developed using the Real Time Physics design principles which are based on physics education research:

• The materials for each weekly laboratory session are sequenced to provide a coherent observational basis for understanding specific physics concepts.
• Laboratory activities encourage you to construct your own models of physical phenomena based on observations and experiments.
• The activities are designed to help you avoid common misconceptions about physical phenomena that make it difficult to understand essential principles in physics.
• The activities are designed to work best when performed in collaborative groups of three or for students.
• Computer based laboratory tools are used to collect and graph date in real time so you can test your predictions immediately.
• A learning cycle is incorporated into each set of related activities that consist of prediction, observation comparison, analysis and quantitative experimentation.
• You are encouraged to discuss your ideas and findings with other members of your group, and other classmates
• Each laboratory includes a pre-lab warm-up assignment and a post-lab homework assignment that reinforce critical physics concepts and investigative skills,

Lab Manuals

Required. RealTime Physics, with local modifications. Available in the Book Store.

Reference Materials

Sokoloff, David R., Thornton, Ronald K. & Laws, Priscilla W., RealTime Physics, 5th ed. Wiley, 1998.

Laws, Priscilla W., Workshop Physics, 2nd ed. Wiley, 2004.

Location

All laboratory sections are held in S-209. Regular class attendance is expected.

Missed Laboratory Sections

Makeup laboratories will not be given, except under very limited circumstances. Make-ups will only be allowed for circumstances clearly beyond your control. In addition, students are required to provide adequate documentation, and your instructor must be notified in advance. See also the NEIU student conduct code.

Grading

The final grade will be based on the following system which will by provided by the instructor for your section.

Pre-labs Assignments

You are required to turn in the pre-lab assignment at the start of each lab period. You will receive a failing grade for the lab experiment if you do not have the pre-lab sheet ready to hand in at the start of the lab period.

Each laboratory contains a pre-lab preparation sheet. Many of the questions on the pre-lab sheet will ask you to make predictions about what will happen when you carry out certain measurements or laboratory exercises. You will receive credit for answering these questions if you give answers that show evidence that you have thought about the situation and what you expect to happen, whether you are right or wrong. The purpose of these prelab questions is to get you thinking about the experiment. You will gain a much greater understanding when you do the experiment if you have thought through the pre-lab questions.

Laboratory Based Homework

Each lab contains a homework assignment. These homework assignments should be completed by the following laboratory period. You are expected to turn in your homework assignment at the beginning of the next laboratory period.

The questions in the homework assignments can all be answered based on the things you have observed in the laboratory. If you are prepared for each laboratory and have been careful to accurately describe your observations as you follow the instructions in the hand out, you should be able to answer the homework questions by referring to these handouts. You are encouraged to discuss what you have learned in the laboratory and how it applies to the homework questions with your classmates.

Exams

This course has an in-class midterm and final exam. The questions on these exams will be similiar to the questions in the pre-lalb, lab, and homework assignments.

Tutorials

Regular weekly hours are set up in the library for tutorials. Tutors can be found in the learning center on the fourth floor of the library. Please note, these tutorials are intended for the 100 level general education courses, but tutors may be able to help physics 203 students on a second priority basis. The current schedule for our tutors can be found here.

Academic Integrity

The NEIU policy on academic integrity can be found here.

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