Physics 115 - Newtonian Mechanics Laboratory - Winter '05
Dan Ludwigsen
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Physics 115 Calendar
I hope that you will enjoy exploring physics through our series of lab experience.
Warning: we may see concepts before they are treated in lecture! Just take
the view of the experimenter, and meet new material with curiosity and a sense
of play. Dig in deep!
Grading
Your submitted grade for this laboratory course will
be heavily influenced by your scores on the weekly labs. There is also a practical
exam (date TBA). Practice good lab technique, taking (and perhaps re-taking)
data with care. Analyze the data with depth of thought and consideration of
both physical and practical influences, and you will receive better scores
on the weekly laboratory exercises. The weighting scheme:
180 (= 9 x 20) points - nine weekly lab reports and quizzes
45 points - Written exam (20% of total grade)
The weekly score will consist of a lab grade (17 points)
and a three-point quiz. The maximum score for lab reports is 19 points, reflecting
outstanding work above and beyond. For more information, see the sample scoring
guide in the Course Information area.
Appeals are welcome if you feel that an exam or report
has not been graded fairly. Prepare your argument in writing, either by prose
explanation or clearly-worked solution. Appeals MUST be submitted within one
week of receiving the graded work.
Lab Reports
Each week you will work through a lab exercise with
a predetermined lab partner. Follow the procedure in the lab manual. Answer
all questions in the manual as you go along. Reports are due Friday at
noon, in my mailbox.
Good reports will:
- be neat and easy to read
- be complete with your measured and calculated data
- include all relevant units and uncertainties
- include graphs with labels on axes, good titles that describe the
situation - without restating the axes
- show sample calculations to indicate how you are treating the raw
data (JUST a sample for each calculation - no need to show all your work)
- give answers to the quantitative (number-oriented) and qualitative
(concept-oriented) questions in the manual
- include a short conclusion - explain what you did, what you found,
and what it means
Avoid these regrettable and egregious behaviors:
- Citing human error as a source of error. This will result in a zero
for that lab!
- Turning in scratches and random calculations, unreadable and illegible.
Label data in columns,
title and label graphs and charts, show sample calculations that clearly
indicate where you start the analysis and how it proceeds.
- Use variable names that are clear and conventional.
- Eating and drinking in the lab. This is not allowed for safety and
cleanliness.
- Leaving early without checking with the instructor. If you have to
be absent for any part of a lab period, please let me know. Unwarranted absences
or a pattern of tardiness will adversely affect your grade. (For example,
a zero on that week's lab.) If you miss more than three labs, excused or not,
you will fail this course.
- Labs are due Friday at noon, in my mailbox (Science & Math offices
2-100). Late lab reports will be penalized after the first week.
Motivated by the goals and objectives of the course, these policies and
procedures are intended to foster a safe and constructive environment for
learning physics. To maintain this kind of environment, the instructor reserves
the right to take any reasonable action sanctioned by University policy,
including
but not limited to failure on an assignment or withdrawal of student from
the course. Disruptive behavior (including excessive talking), ethnic or racial
discrimination, or sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Please turn
off cell phones and pagers; the instructor may ask to answer any incoming
calls!
Academic Integrity: The highest level of academic integrity is expected
from students. Plagiarism (the use of another's ideas as your own) is not
acceptable. Evidence of cheating, or anything contradicting these policies,
may result in a score of zero on the assignment or other action at my discretion.
Please know and practice the Kettering University Code of Academic Integrity,
found on page 40 of the student handbook.