PHY
300-01
FALL
2005
Instructor: Dr. Wayne Bresser Office
Hours: MWF
Office: SC 143 / SC 141 TH 12:10-1:00
Phone: 572-6678 /
-5405 Also
- other times by appointment.
E-mail: bresserw@nku.edu
Web Site: http://www.nku.edu/~bresserw/
Contacting
Instructor: As
you can see, I have office hours during the week, and I will try to be in my
office and
available to talk with you during those times. However, I
have an open door policy, so please
don't feel limited to my "official" office hours.
Particularly if you have a quick question, feel
free to drop by anytime. Or, if you prefer, feel free to
contact me to set up an appointment.
Class
Time/Location: MW
Required Texts: A lab notebook is required.
In
addition, you may need to photocopy some materials. You will have access to equipment-specific
reference materials as well as materials in the library,
e.g., textbooks and journals. The Internet should
also serve as a supplemental source of information.
Co-requisite: PHY 361
Credit Hours: 2 hours
Objective: You will explore
physical phenomena at a greater depth and wider content range than in the PHY
220-
222
labs and introduce you to some of the more sophisticated techniques of data
acquisition, analysis,
and interpretation.
Attendance: You are expected to
attend all lab meeting times and to spend additional time working on the
projects.
Format: The course is
scheduled for two one hour forty minute periods per week. As in previous lab
courses,
a substantial time investment over and above this will likely be necessary. I will do a
minimal
amount of lecturing, but will work closely with you on matters involving design
and
implementation of the experiment, analysis and interpretation of the data,
etc. The presentations
and
experiments will usually take two - three weeks to carry out. You will work in groups of two or
three. Within each group individuals will have
varying responsibilities, such as theory, equipment,
writing
of reports. Responsibilities should be
divided equally. I will intervene if there
are problems.
Lab Notebook: A lab notebook to record
all data, equipment used (including model, identifying number), diagrams of
setup, procedures, comments, summaries is required. All entries must be dated. You should
summarize your efforts each time you work on the lab (at
least one entry for a given day). Never
delete anything from this notebook. You should note it as "Bad data"
and explain why it is bad. This
book should be bound (preferably with numbered pages). We will check this periodically. You must have it with you
whenever you are working on an experiment.
A
copy of your data may be kept on the network.
You should also keep a copy on diskette.
In your
notebook, identify the data set and everywhere it is
located. The network may be cleared or
inaccessible at times, so MAKE COPIES. Murphy’s Law does work – especially in lab
environments.
If
you fail to follow procedures, (collect data on scrap paper) the data may
disappear (usually just after
you collected the last data point).
Equipment: All equipment must
be checked-out for an experiment done outside Room 106 and checked back in
before the lab report is handed in. To check-out equipment, fill-in the
information required in the
white binders found in each room.
Experiments: For this semester you
will perform experiments primarily from the area of modern physics (as in
connection with PHY 361). The following is a list of typical
experiments:
Experiments
Speed
of light – Metrologic apparatus
Speed
of light – Olaus Rømer experiment
Michelson
interferometer
Photoelectric
effect
Electron
e/m ratio
Millikan
oil drop experiment
Optical
Spectra
Speed
of Cosmic-Ray Muons
Muon
Lifetime Experiment
Properties
of microwaves
Mössbauer
Spectroscopy
Electron Spin/Nuclear Spin Resonance
Lab Report: All lab reports should be typed, double-spaced using Times New Roman font (font size of 11). The
page (8 1/2" by 11") should be set with 1" margins. You will hand in a hard copy of the paper and an
electronic copy via e-mail or computer disk. The reports should be done using MS Word.
Grading: Grades will be
based on the submitted report, the class presentations, the lab notebooks, the observed
laboratory techniques and group interaction. Each lab report will have a grade assigned to
it. The lab
notebook will also be graded individually.
Your final course
grade will be determined by the following:
Labs
reports 70%
Presentations 20%
Lab
notebook 10%
There
is no extra credit.
1) LAB INFORMATION
Title, authors, and
date(s) of performing experiment.
2) ABSTRACT
A
very brief overview of the purpose (goals) and the main results of the
experiment. If a
known physical quantity was measured in the experiment then you should state
the numerical value of the result that you obtained for that quantity and also
state how close your result was to the expected result.
3) INTRODUCTION
Describe
the physics of your experiment. Include
diagrams, graphs, and other visuals which have
been
discussed in class or which you found in books, the Internet or other
sources. Discuss the
physical
principles in detail, writing as though your audience was an individual who
knows little
about
your experiment. Define terms, discuss
equations and be sure to reference your sources.
4) MATERIALS and APPARATUS
List
the equipment that you used in the experiment.
5) EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Describe
what you did, in order. The procedure
may include diagrams or other helpful information
that will make the lab easier to perform. The procedure should be complete enough so
that an
individual could read your procedure and could perform the lab
as you did. Don’t report numbers or
results in this section.
6) OBSERVATIONS/DATA
List
and describe the raw experimental data collected during the experiment. Data should always be
reported in a clear and organized way. Use a spreadsheet program to organize and
analyze your data.
Include
all plots and graphs in this section.
The axes of all graphs should be clearly labeled (quantity
and units) and each graph should be titled so that it
clearly indicates exactly what data are being
plotted.
7) CALCULATIONS and RESULTS
List
the equation(s) and show a sample calculation(s) that you carried out. Then state the result(s) of
the experiment and compare your result(s) to the accepted or
theoretical value(s) (if available) by
computing a percent error.
Also state what you consider to be the most likely causes of this error.
8) CONCLUSIONS
Discuss the findings,
i.e., discuss what the data tell you and what conclusions you can draw from the
experiment,
and give improvements for future experiments.
YOUR LAB
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Never eat, drink, or smoke in the
laboratory.
2. Know the location of the nearest fire exit, emergency
telephone, and available fire extinguishers, which
will be
pointed out by your instructor during the first laboratory session.
3. Immediately
report any accidents or injuries to your instructor.
4. Come to lab prepared - read the printed experiment beforehand. Pay particular attention to safety
instructions or warnings. Follow such instructions or obey such warnings fully and completely.
5. Carefully
listen to the instructor's introduction, especially with regard to any safety
warnings or
instructions.
For your safety, follow these instructions fully and completely.
6. Be sure you understand the proper
operation of any electrical or electronic equipment before turning it
on or otherwise working with it. Serious harm can result from the improper use
of such equipment, or the equipment itself may be damaged or otherwise rendered
unusable.
7. Exercise caution in using glass
equipment. Do not use any glass
equipment that is cracked or broken.
8. If you have any questions or
problems regarding the operation of any apparatus or piece of equipment,
do not hesitate to ask the instructor.
9. Employ
care and caution in using all laboratory equipment or materials. Use but do not abuse.
10. Keep the equipment manuals in same
condition as you found them. Do not
write on or remove pages of the
manuals.
You may photocopy pages of the manuals with permission.
11. Keep
the lab neat and orderly at all times.
Before leaving the laboratory, make sure that all equipment
has
been turned off and, when appropriate, returned to its designated place unless
otherwise directed by the
instructor.
Leave the
laboratory as you found it, so that your fellow students in the next lab will
find it clean, organized, and ready for use.
Other
Important Class Information:
Northern Kentucky University has adopted
both an Honor Code and a Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (http://www.nku.edu/~deanstudents/student_rights/honor_code.htm
and http://www.nku.edu/~deanstudents/student_rights/index.htm). The work
you will do in this course is subject to the Student Honor Code. The Honor Code is a commitment to the highest
degree of ethical integrity in academic conduct, a commitment that,
individually and collectively, the students of Northern Kentucky University
will not lie, cheat, or plagiarize to gain an academic advantage over fellow
students or avoid academic requirements.
You are expected to read and familiarize yourself with both of these.
Important Dates: August
22 (M) First Day of Class
August
27 (SAT) Last Day to Register
September
5 (M) Labor Day Holiday
September
12 (M) Last Day to
Drop without Grade Appearing on Transcript
October
17 - 18 (M - T) Fall Break
Holidays
October
22 (SAT) Mid-term Grades Due
October
31 (M) Last Day to Withdraw
with a W
November
24 - 26 (W - F) Thanksgiving Holidays
December 9 (F) Last
Day of Classes
The instructor may modify this syllabus at any time
during the semester.
Request further
explanation if any part of this syllabus or any course procedure or requirement
in unclear.