Important dates |
Instructor Information
- Office: Whitehorse 216
- Office hours: TWF 10-10:50am, Th 10am-12pm, and by appointment
- Office phone: 425-388-9431
- Cell phone: 206-523-6254 (Call whenever. I reserve the right to not answer.)
- Email: kwashburn@everettcc.edu
Course Information
- Lab: (J) M 8-10:50am, (K) Th 1-3:50pm, WHI 250
- Open lab times: TTh 9-11am, T 3-4pm, W 10-11am
- Course website: http://faculty.everettcc.edu/home/kwashburn/phys133
- While taking this course you must be concurrently enrolled in Physics 123
Course Objectives & Format
Grade | |
| Preliminary abstract and bibliography | 10% |
| Project report | 80% |
| Presentation | 10% |
The objective of this lab course is to synthesize techniques learned in fall and winter in a self-paced group project.
The course will consist of one or more team-designed experiments. This is not an engineering project. Projects whose sole purpose is to construct an apparatus and make it work are not acceptable. You must go beyond this to measure the characteristics of the apparatus and compare them to theoretical expectations. For example, an unacceptable project would be to construct a steam engine. An acceptable project would be to build a steam engine and measure its efficiency under varying conditions and compare these results to theoretical predictions. Topics are subject to the approval of the instructor. The end product will be a report of publishable quality (i.e. complete description of procedure, thorough analysis of data including error analysis, clear graphs and data tables where appropriate, etc.)
Groups will be limited to no more than three individuals.
The weekly schedule of lab this quarter will be more free-form, with all scheduled lab times run like open lab time. Groups should note that since there are 30 hours of lab scheduled, projects should be designed to take at least this amount of time, evenly spread out through the quarter.
Your grade this quarter will be based entirely on your group's project.
Tool Use and Safety
As part of this class, you have access to an extensive selection of hand and power tools through both the Physics and Art departments. The following guidelines are set out to make tool use safe and easy for all students:- All hand tools must be properly checked out. This procedure will be explained in class. It is imperative that students return all
borrowed tools in a timely manner so that others can use them.
- You must be trained by Linda Zuvich before using any of the power tools. When using any power tool, it is extremely important to
consider safety. Unsafe use of tools will negatively affect your grade. Tool training will be given on a need-to-know basis. If you think you
might need to use the drill press, mill and lathe, power saws, power sander, etc. let Kristine and/or Linda know so they can schedule
training for you and your group.
- Keep work areas clean. An unclean work area is a safety hazard. Especially if that area will be used by anyone else. Clean up
after yourself when working in the Physics lab, shop and project rooms. This includes
- putting away tools and materials,
- wiping off surfaces and
- cleaning the floor. There is a shop vac in the shop for this purpose.
Budget and Project Materials
There are some spare parts available for use in Physics projects. These are in the cages marked "Engineering Projects". Do not, under any circumstances, take apart or destroy anything from the Physics prep area that has not been designated for Physics projects. If you have any uncertainty about which objects are off limits, ask Linda Zuvich.If you need to purchase things for your project, up to $75 total can be reimbursed to each group for parts and other items required for their projects. See Linda Zuvich for reimbursement. Check out Craig's list free section or Freecycle for potential parts at the best possible price - free!
Presentations
Group presentations will be on the last scheduled day of lab class. Presentations will be 15 minutes per group and should include an overview of the physics relevant to your project, what you were measuring, how you measured it and your results with uncertainties. Presentations should also include visual aids such as slides or demonstrations. Every member of the group should contribute during the presentation.Project Report Format
- Abstract — a brief synopsis of the project covering what, how and why. See copies of the American Journal of Physics (in the library) for examples.
- Introduction — a brief statement of the nature and purpose of the experiment.
- Theory — a thorough discussion of theoretical background for the project, including anticipated outcomes (i.e. predict the values of any numbers measured and their precision, etc). Outcomes should include expected precision of any results, a summary of the relevant literature available, and the relationship of this project to any other ideas or applications.
- Procedure — include any construction aspects (including a diagram of the experiment with all pieces of apparatus labeled), the general description of the steps taken to carry out the experiment (this should include enough detail so that one of your classmates could pick up the report and reproduce your experiment; it should not include such steps as "we entered the data in EXCEL"), and difficulties encountered and the process by which they were overcome or included in the error analysis.
- Analysis & Summary — in this section you should summarize your results with uncertainty analysis and compare your results with prediction made in the theory section as well as a comparison with values from the literature. You should make direct reference to any graphs or data tables used in the analysis. Just as the opening abstract should entice the interested reader to proceed, the summary paragraph should make sure the reader goes away satisfied.
- Equipment list — including evaluation of equipment if appropriate (i.e precision, model number, manufacturer, etc.)
- Annotated Bibliography — refer to items on this list by (Author, date) in the text of the report. Annotation should include a synopsis of content and expected relative value to the project. (See American Journal of Physics for examples of how this is done.)
- Appendix — including data tables, any additional graphs or tables, details of any calculations made including those for error analysis.
Some past projects
Measuring the Deflection of a Loaded Beam Using InterferometryThe Normal Zeeman Effect
Experimentation with Acoustic Lenses
Determination of the Viscosity of Various Fluids
Ballistic Properties of a Rocket
Single Photon Interference
The Photoelectric Effect
Determination of Plancks Constant
The Physics of Musical Instruments
Resonant Frequencies of a Simple Bridge Structure
Physics of Fly Fishing
Sonolumiensce
Other areas to consider
There are many projects that use interferometry such as measuring the deflection of objectsThe index of refraction as a function of the concentration in a solution
Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
Resonant phenomena
Schilerien photography can be used to look at airflow, turbulence, convection, etc
Frictional and drag forces. There are many engineering applications where these need to be known
Chaotic behavior such as found in a chaotic pendulum
Measure the speed of light, Plancks constant or other physical constants
Interference of Microwaves vs. Visible Light
Looking in the following references may suggest some interesting projects:
Policies