PHY 242 -5501

General University Physics Laboratory II

Spring 2014

lHOUR

PS Nbr. 87884
Instructor: Chad Howard
Office: HFD 1205; Phone: 213-5028
Office Hours: M 2:00-4:00pm; W l:00-3:00pm; Th 1:30-3:00pm; F 10:30am-12:00pm
Email: chad.howard@kctcs.edu
An advanced general laboratory course involving experiments on electricity, magnetism, and light.
Prereq or concurrent: PHY 232 or permission of the instructor. This course is a prerequisite to Physics
majors and related areas of study.
Text: Physics Laboratory Manual Part II: Electricity, Magnetism, and Light (Spring 2007 version) by
L. D. Burton
This course supports the college's m1ss10n to offer courses designed to prepare individuals for
baccalaureate programs in colleges and universities.
The main objectives of this laboratory course are:
(I)
to give the student direct contact with some of the phenomena introduced in the lecture,
(2)
to give the student experience in using properly and accurately a variety of physical measuring
devices,
(3)
to understand the need to use error analysis.
To accomplish the objectives the student will be required to carefully perform and write reports on ten (10)
to twelve (13) experiments each semester. Laboratory reports will be graded on accuracy of work,
correctness of treatment of errors, discussion in the conclusion, form, and clarity.
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
l) Use the scientific method to experiment on physical phenomena and report using acceptable
scientific format.
2) Evaluate measurements and determine associated experimental errors.
3) Differentiate between precision and accuracy of measurements, and identify sources of
systematic and random errors.
4) Perform error analysis including propagation of errors using derivatives.
5) Identify the physical quantities that are dependent variables, independent variables, and
constants of an experiment.
6) Use SI measurements and perform dimensional analysis on derived quantities.
7) Differentiate between average and instantaneous measurements of time-dependent quantities.
8) Demonstrate electromagnetic phenomena in a variety of practical applications.
9) Construct and analyze AC and DC circuits.
10) Compute properties of physical and geometric optical systems.
This course will also instruct the student in the following general education competencies:
1) Apply learning to academic, personal, and public situations.
2)

Use appropriate search strategies and resources to find, evaluate, and use information.

3)

Interact cooperatively with others using both verbal and non-verbal means.

4)

Thirlk creatively to develop new ideas, processes, or products.

Jefferson Community and Technical College is an Equal Opportunity Institution. The colleges of the Kentucky
Community and Technical College System are committed to a policy of providing educational opportunities to all
qualified students regardless of economic or social status, beliefs, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or physical or
mental disability.

This course is a part of the Physics program in the Division of Natural Sciences.
The Physics department head is Chad Howard, office, HFD 1205; phone, 213 - 5028
The Division Office is in room office, HFD 1111; phone, 213 - 5013.
The Division Chairperson is Caroline Martinson, office HFD 1105; phone 213 - 50 I 0

Purpose
To achieve an understanding of, and an ability to use properly, the methods, relationships, and concepts of
physics. To give the student (a) direct contact with physics phenomena, (b) experience in using physics
equipment, and (c) knowledge of error analysis.
Laboratory Text Material
The student is required to read the lab manual before coming to the lab and to read related material in your
Physics Text as well.
Lab Reports
We will meet once per week in the Physics lab on the tenth floor. Labs will be performed in groups of two
or three, and one report handed in the following week at the beginning of lab with each member of a team
receiving the same grade on a given lab. Note that when lab begins, you will be expected to have your
report ready to hand in at that time. A late lab point penalty may be implemented if tardiness persists. The
format of the report will be discussed in lab, and is outlined in the front of the lab manual. Each lab will be
worth 50 points. Your final grade in the course will be determined by the percentage of point you have
obtained out of the total possible points in the class. This will be 650 points.
Important
lfno questions are asked at any time, it must be assumed that you thoroughly understand the subject matter,
therefore, you are strongly encouraged to ask questions both in class and out of class. Do not hesitate to
indicate that some concept is not clear to you or that you do not agree with a statement. Greater
understanding usually follows in pursuant discussions.
Laboratory Attendance Policy
You are expected to attend each laboratory meeting, on time, and stay during the whole lab period. The
instructor explains the laboratory procedure at the beginning of the lab and you must be there to understand
the experimental procedure.
Late Turned In Lab Report Policy
Late laboratory reports will lose 5 points immediately and then 5 points per working day (M-F), the day
starting at 1:30 PM, when the report is due.
Plagiarism
This will not be allowed anytime. You must do your own work. This can lead from a zero grade on the
paper up to a failure grade in the course. See the Community College system policies and procedures
Student Code of Conduct.
Make-Up Work Policy
There will be a makeup lab given only if reasons for missing the lab are due to things beyond your control.
(Examples of reasons are illness, work, out-of-town trips due to work. Proof will be required.)

Withdrawal Policy
Before midterm you do not need a signature from me to withdraw from this class. You may withdraw
directly from the Registrar's office. After midterm, you must have my signature to withdraw from my
class. I will sign a withdrawal form only for those students who are still attending class when they ask to
withdraw. Students who stop attending class must withdraw before midterm OR at the time they stop
attending. Under no circumstances can withdrawals be granted after the last day of classes. Note: The
administration will not allow you to withdraw from a course during Final Week.
Office Accessibility
My office is on the twelfth floor (HFD 1205) and is not accessible by elevator. ff you wish to see me outside of class and you
cannot climb the stairs, I will by happy to arrange to meet yo1.1 on another floor.

Grading Policy
Lab reports will be graded on accuracy of work, correctness of treatment of errors, discussion in the
conclusion, also form and clarity.
Grades will be determined on the basis of the following average percent system:
A (100-90);
B (89-80);
c (79-70);
D (69-60);
E (59-0).

PHYSICS 242-5501 GENERAL PHYSICS Laboratory

ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE'
Spring 2014
Office: HFD 1205, Phone 213 -502::

Instructor: Chad Howard

TEXT: Physics Laboratory Manual Part II: Electricity, Magnetism, and Light (Spring 2007 version}-- by
L. D. Burton

EXPERIMENT(S)2

DAYS
Number(s)
Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

14

Laboratory Introduction

(see pp 1)

21

Electrostatic Forces

Exp. I

28

Electric Fie lds

Ohm's Law

Exp.3

11

Wire Resistance

Exp . 5

18

Power Transfer

Exp. 6

25

Kirchoffs Rules

Exp. 7

RC Circuits

11

Induced EMF

18

No Laboratory - Spring Break

25

Charge to Mass Ratio

Exp. 9

LR Series Circuit

Exp. 11

Reflection of Light

Exp. 12

15

Refraction of Light

Exp. 13

22

Diffraction

Exp. 17

29

Final Lab Meeting

No Laboratory - Finals Week

Apr.

May

Experiment

Exp. 8