California State Polytechnic University

          Pomona – Spring 2025                   Course Syllabus

 

Principles of Physics Lab

PHY 1520L-02: 1 Unit       Co-requisite: PHY 1520

CRN:            35123

Building-Room: 3-2615 / 3-2623

Office/Phone:  8-225  / (909) 869-4017

Lab Time:      M: 1 – 3:30 pm

http://www.cpp.edu/faculty/skboddeker

 

Instructor:

Email:

 

 

Office Hours:

 

Zoom:

Pw:  steve

Steve Boddeker

skboddeker@cpp.edu

 

 M:     7–8am; 11:30am–1pm; 8:15-9pm

 W:     6:30-7pm; 8:15-9pm

 

https://cpp.zoom.us/j/2571258536/

 

COURSE
DESCRIPTION

Physics 1520L is the laboratory that accompanies Physics 1520, the 2nd course of a two-semester, calculus-based introductory sequence.  The primary content of Physics 1520L are based upon fundamental principles with experiments in E/M, Electric Fields, Potential, Dielectrics, Capacitance, Ohm’s Law, Induced EMF, and measuring instruments.

 

TEXT(S)

ü  The Physics 1520 Laboratory Manual is available at the Bronco Bookstore.

 

 

COURSE
OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, the laboratory should have provided students with the following:

·         An introduction to physics’ role as a basic science with hands-on experience regarding natural phenomena

·         To develop your skills in presenting the results from experimental work in the form of laboratory reports

·         Practical experience with measurements in experimental work including

►   Graphing                                                                        ►   Uncertainty Analysis

►   Calculations, with correct use of units                          ►   Error Analysis

 

 

LABORATORY PROCEDURES

Each week a new laboratory exercise will be performed with one partner.  Please review experimental procedures and pertinent theory associated with the lab exercises.  If this is not completed before the lab period you may not complete data collection DURING the lab period.  As for all labs, data should be collected with a pen (non-erasable) because all data is valuable, even “bad” data.

 

Pre-Labs are designed to guide and to prepare the students for each lab.  In some cases the Pre-Labs prepare the student with extra theory.  These Pre-Labs can be difficult since the student may need to consult alternate sources such as the lecture book, tutoring hours, professors, or the internet.

 

Quizzes will be administered following lab introduction.  The quizzes will include material that will be covered during the current lab period.  *Also upon submission of the quiz “notes” collected during the introduction will be reviewed and promptly returned.

 

Each Laboratory is equally weighted for a total of 60%.  Satisfactory data collection is 1/5 of the lab’s value.   Completing lab analysis as indicated by the lab manual is the remaining 4/5.  Each student is expected to complete the lab data collection during the allotted 150 minutes.  Some labs will be completed satisfactorily after being “checked off” during this time.   Whether completed within the lab period or by beginning next lab period, “labs” consist of data tables, graph(s) minimizing uncertainty with a complex analysis outlined in the manual. See the Purpose section below.

 

Note:  Do not email labs.   If you desire to submit after hours, please slide under my office door.

 

 

EVALUATIVE
CRITERIA

Ø  Satisfactory Laboratories     60 %

Ø  Pre- Laboratories                  16 %

Ø  Lab Quizzes                            8 %

Ø  Lab Final                              16 %

Lab reports are evaluated upon the following

o    Laboratory skills (including quality)

o    Data Analysis

o    Understanding of Physics Principles

o    Communication skills (oral & written)

 

 

GRADING

Grade

Grade

Points

Numerical

Equivalent

Grade

Grade

Points

Numerical

Equivalent

SYSTEM

A

4.0

90-100

         D

1.0

60-69

 

B

3.0

80-89

         F

0.0

59 & below

 

C

2.0

70-79

 

 

 

 

 

 

CALPOLY PHYSICS LAB COURSE
STRUCTURE

Each Student:  (NO group labs!!!    Each student must ALWAYS include slope points, and all pertinent calculations and results as requested by the lab manual in their own lab “write-up”.) )

  • Completes all scheduled experiments, learning lab techniques with a variety of equipment.
  • Documents with a written record of all experimental data and other relevant observations for each experiment 
  • Perform calculations for each experiment and summarize results.
  • Write sample calculations, record results, plots relevant graphs, as requested by the lab manual, and complete any other elements directed by the instructor.
  • Maximizes the 2 ½ hours lab period as needed for data acquisition, analysis, and other elements of the experimental report, seeking the instructor’s guidance as needed.
  • All labs and pertinent materials will be compiled into a notebook to be presented at the end of the term.  This will be checked  at end of the term.

 

 

PHYSICS LAB
POLICIES

 

 

 

GRADING & 

DUE DATES

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Write-Ups”

 

 

 

  

MAKE-UP WEEK

 

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY

 

EMERGENCIES

Department Policy:  Students who miss 2 labs will result in a grade of an F.

 

Your lab ends 150 minutes (2 ½ hours) after start.  All lab equipment must be replaced in original order NO LATER than this time.   Note: the next class enters at approximately at 15 minutes before the next hour.

 

The overall class GPA will be maintained through a curve (usually adding a flat percentage to everyone’s grade) near the 3.0 GPA level.  Plusses & minuses will only be assigned in borderline grades (i.e. 79 < C+ < 79.5 or 79.5 < B- < 80).  Many students will complete the experiment the same day that data collection occurs, although the “lab” is not due until the beginning of the following lab period.  Each week late incurs a 15% deduction.)   NO LAB will be accepted more than two lab periods after data collection.

 

Each student must complete their own lab.  This written lab Report (“write-up”) which should include the following and due the at the start of the following lab period/class:  

  • A statement about the purpose of the experiment in the Intro/Theory section
  • List of significant data & results in table format in the Data Table and Results Table sections
  • Quantitative conclusions (i.e. percent difference) based upon significant results
  • A statement summarizing the results of the requested analysis.

 

 The make-up lab is a self-contained lab and is completed only if you missed a lab during the regular term.  Department policy will only allow ONE lab to be completed during make-up week. 

                             The Lab Final is during this week & requires on average 45 minutes.

 

You are expected to follow the University Policy regarding Academic Dishonesty as described in the University Catalog.  The department takes this very seriously.

 

If any unforeseen events occur, please contact me immediately (preferably email, NOT CANVAS!!!)

 

Mon

Notes

Physics 1520L

20-Jan

Holiday - MLK: Jan 20th 

3-2615                 Introduction

27-Jan

3-2623                Electric Charge

3-Feb

 

3-2615                 Electric Field

10-Feb

 

3-2623                Basic Circuits

17-Feb

 

3-2615                 Analog Galvanometer

24-Feb

 

3-2623                Response of Circuit Elements

3-Mar

 

3-2615                 Current Balance

10-Mar

 

3-2623                Oscilloscope

17-Mar

 

3-2615                 Measurements of e/m

24-Mar

Spring Break – 3/31 to 4/4

3-2623                Magnetic Fields

7-Apr

 

3-2615                 AC Circuits

14-Apr

3-2615                 AC Circuits Week 2

21-Apr

 

3-2623                Capacitors

28-Apr

3-2623                Capacitors, more detailed look

5-May

Make-up Week & Lab Final 

3-2615                 Make-up Week & Lab Final