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Introduction |
Physics lab sessions consist of one two-hour period per week, with most experiments given two periods to complete. During the first period the experiment is set up, data is taken and some preliminary calculations are made. During the second period, the calculations are completed, an error analysis is made and conclusions are drawn. You are required to come prepared for the lab by having read and understood the experiment and any related material.
All lab work is done in the lab and recorded into a lab notebook called a logbook. The logbook is left in the lab at all times; no work in the logbook is permitted to be done outside the lab. Any materials (such as quizzes, formals, notes) from a previous physics lab are not permitted in the lab. In addition to the work done in the lab, there are two formal reports assigned during the term that are to be completed at home.
The physics lab sets as its standard a research lab in industry or university. Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately. The grading of work is based on what is expected in scientific research.
First year physics labs have several broad-ranging objectives;
In addressing these objectives, the physics lab is independent from the course. Although the experiments will roughly follow the material taught in the course, the theory and background of an experiment may not have been covered in the course. You are expected to learn material for the lab in addition to your course work. New material will be covered in the lab as well as in the classroom.
Fundamentally, you will find that the physics lab differs from biology and chemistry labs in that the physics lab does not provide detailed step-by-step procedures, but rather expects you to develop your own approach to experiments. The goal here is to teach an approach to conducting experiments and not the specific techniques of an experiment.
The division of marks for the lab is as follows: |
|
| Short evaluations (usually 5 marks each) | 60% of lab grade |
| Two formal reports (20 marks each) | 40% of lab grade |
| Total lab grade | 100% |
The total lab grade forms 20% of the final course grade. In order to pass for the physics lab, a student must complete all the lab components and achieve at least 45% in their total lab grade. A physics lab pass is required to pass the associated physics course.
There is usually one short evaluation associated with each lab period of the semester (roughly twelve in a semester). Missed short evaluations will be assigned a grade of zero.
Short evaluations can take a variety of forms, from quizzes to marking all or part of the lab notebook, including current and previous work. Some lab period short evaluations might be combined into a single larger evaluations (such as an evaluation for over two weeks). Students are usually informed of the nature of the next period's short evaluation. The short evaluations are based on the material covered either during the lab or from reading the lab manual.
Beware there is one short evaluation grade for keeping of a notebook as outlined in the appendix. This evaluation is done, without warning, at anytime during the semester.
During the semester each student will be assigned two formal reports. The formal report write-up is based on the material you enter into your notebook during the lab classes. Formal reports can be assigned at random throughout the semester and are based on any experiment that has already been completed.
A formal report is due at the beginning of the following week's lab period, one week after the period it was assigned. Formal reports are considered late if handed in beyond 5 minutes into the period. Late reports are penalized two marks per day late. Late reports can be handed in through the Physics lab mail slot beside the lab entrance. Reports must be submitted by 4:00pm to avoid being penalized for an additional day late. Formal report submission by email is not accepted (a hard copy is required).
Your graded formal reports can be used during the semester as a reference but must be returned to your lab supervisor by the end of the semester.
Labs are a fundamental part of a Physics requirement. Lab credit is divided
between lab theory and lab attendance (doing hands-on work in the lab). Lab
attendance at all lab periods is
compulsory for lab credit.
Makeup lab
If missing a lab period is unavoidable, inform your supervisor before missing
the period to arrange a make-up lab to prevent your removal from the class list.
The make-up lab must be done before your next regularly scheduled lab period.
Deduction for missing a lab
Every instance of a student missing their regularly scheduled lab period
automatically triggers a 10% reduction on the total lab grade. This deduction
is automatic. It cannot be overridden by the lab supervisor. It does not
replace any other penalties or requirements of the course or lab.
Reversal of a deduction for missing a lab
The Physics department will consider, through a written submission by the
student, reversing all or part of the deduction for missing a lab period. Reversal
consideration requires a written submission by the student to the Physics
department convenor within one week of missing the lab period. The submission
must explain the circumstances, detailing why a reversal is warranted and
provide
supporting documentation (required). The Physics department will decide if all, part or
none of the deduction is to be reversed.
Of particular note
The department deduction penalty for missing labs is in addition to any other
penalties or requirements of the lab or associated course. Missing a lab period
can have other penalties such as losing marks for the period or triggering of a
course fail (some courses require every lab to receive a course pass).
Furthermore,
only written submissions for deduction reversal are considered and the Physics
department decision is final.
For additional help on your lab work, you may bring your questions to a Lab Supervisor during the second hour of any scheduled physics lab period. For example, help might be required in writing up a formal report or in elucidation of some point of an experiment before the lab period.
See the schedule posted outside the physics lab (FR302) door for the times when labs are in progress. Your physics course instructor or any member of the physics department may also be approached for help.
You are expected to keep a proper notebook in the lab. The notebook and the keeping of records therein are described in the appendix. Parts of your notebook may be graded for short evaluations. In addition, you will be using your notebook to produce formal reports as well as answer short evaluation questions.
Your notebook will not be returned to you and will be destroyed after one year. An exception can be made for the return of your notebook after one year by submitting a letter stating the request and the reason to the Physics Department.
Significant figures in quoting a value or result is an area of some confusion for students. The physics lab teaches the determination of the significance of a result by a formal analysis of uncertainties. In other areas, uncertainties may not be analyzed and the significance of a result is estimated. In your physics class most results are requested to be rounded to three significant figures. In chemistry, the least significant value in the calculation is used while in math the exact form may be required. Note that all of these areas expect values to be estimated to a reasonable significance as defined by the area, with the physics lab teaching the formal approach to error analysis and significant figures.
For the physics lab, the best estimate is expected to have an uncertainty. The final resultant uncertainty is to be rounded to two significant figures. The final best estimate is to be rounded to the same significance (decimal place) as the uncertainty.
Notes