Course Description
Physics is an experimental science; that is, the nature and validity of the theoretical framework that physicists use is informed by the outcomes of experiments which can be performed repeatably.
Phys 112L is the laboratory accompanying Phys 112. In this course you will conduct experiments and make observation on various physical systems. There are two objectives in this component of the course:
- gain hands-on experience with physical phenomena and
- understand the relationship between experimental observations and the corresponding theory.
Course Number: PHYS 112L
Instructor: Prof. David Collins, Physics
Contact Information:
- Wubben Science 228B
- Telephone: 248-1787
- Email: [email protected]
Classroom: Wubben Science 214
Prerequisites: Phys 111 and Phys 111L.
First Day Handout: Pdf Format
Course Structure
Class will meet once during each of the weeks listed below. During each meeting you will be given specific tasks and an assignment to complete. Some of the laboratories consist of traditional experiments in these you will set up an apparatus, gather and analyze data and reach conclusions about the underlying physics based on your analysis. In other laboratories you will conduct qualitative, computational or ``thought'' experiments these are accompanied by a worksheet consisting of a series of questions that you will answer.
Laboratory Schedule
| Lab Number | Dates | Title |
| 1 | 19-21 January 2011 | Electric Charges. |
| 2 | 26-28 January 2011 | Electric Dipoles and Polarization. |
| 3 | 2-4 February 2011 | Electric Potential Difference. |
| 4 | 9-11 February 2011 | Electric Potential and Electric Fields |
| 5 | 16-18 February 2011 | Electric Circuits. |
| 6 | 23-25 February 2011 | Currents and Magnetic Fields. |
| 7 | 2-4 March 2011 | Moving Charges and Magnetic Fields. |
| 8 | 9 -11 March 2011 | Induction and Faraday's Law. |
| -- | 16-18 March 2011 | No labs |
| 9 | 23-25 March 2011 | Polarization of Light. |
| 10 | 30 March - 1 April 2011 | Interference of Light. |
| 11 | 6-8 April 2011 | Thin Film Interference. |
| 12 | 13-15 April 2011 | Reflection and Refraction of Light. |
| 13 | 20-22 April 2011 | Image Formation by Lenses. |
| 14 | 27-29 April 2011 | Optical Instruments. |
| -- | 4-6 May 2010 | No lab |