Physics 111: Lab for Major Concepts of Physics Fall 2001

Instructor: Prof. Peter Saulson, Rm. 263-4, 3-5994, saulson@physics.syr.edu

Teaching Assistant: Mr. Hachemi Benaoum, Rm. 411, 3-3805, hbenaoum@physics.syr.edu

Course Secretary: Ms. Arlene Johnston, Physics Bldg. Rm. 111, 3-1915

Course Description

   PHY 111 uses active learning in a laboratory setting to reinforce the concepts covered in PHY 101, Major Concepts of Physics. It is a recommended accompaniment to PHY 101, but is not required of 101 students. PHY 101 is a corequisite of PHY 111, since the laboratory exercises are so closely linked to the subject matter of 101.
   PHY 101 is an introductory course in physics. The course is devoted to the concept of energy. Energy is important because there is a law of nature (sometimes called the 1st Law of Thermodynamics) that states that the energy of any isolated system always remains the same, neither increasing nor decreasing. This is an astonishingly powerful idea.
   Energy is perhaps the single most important unifying idea in physics, and is the reason that physics is applicable throughout chemistry, biology, engineering, economics, geography, nutrition, and exercise science. By exploring the concept of energy, we can follow this chain of connections from physics out into the world at large.
   Taking PHY 111 and its corequisite PHY101 satisfies the Liberal Arts Core requirement for a course with laboratory, and counts as one course from the Basic List in Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Course Objectives

There are two related objectives for PHY 111:

To help you to understand the concepts in PHY 101 (energy and its many applications) at as rich and as deep a level as possible.
To give you a chance to develop an appreciation of physics as a set of ideas about the real world, along with an appreciation of how measurements made in the real world guide the development of the ideas of physics. Physical ideas are abstractions, but they are all related to things that can be seen and felt. Energy is perhaps the subtlest physical abstraction of all, so it is especially necessary to concentrate on its links to the tangible.

When you do your laboratory exercises, think about how what you see in the lab is related to questions like "How do we know that ...?", "Why do we believe that ...?", "What is the evidence for ...?", or "Is there an alternative explanation for ...?" If you can link your laboratory experiences to a thoughtful examination of the physics concepts of PHY 101 and 111, you will have taken a major step toward development of critical thinking skills.

Course Materials

We supply all of the required materials, including physical systems to study, measuring instruments, and computerized data analysis systems. We also provide lab worksheets to guide you through each week’s exercise.

(All of this equipment costs money to purchase and maintain. Syracuse University charges you a $25 lab fee for this course, so that we can keep everything running smoothly.)

Textbook

The text for PHY 101 is Energy: An Introduction to Physics by Robert H. Romer. It is available at the Copy Center in Marshall Square Mall. Because of the close link between PHY 111 and PHY 101, you will find this book very useful for the lab as well.

Course Work

   Your laboratory section meets in Rm. 112, Physics Building, for two hours on either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. During that meeting each week, you will work with a couple of teammates to complete a hands-on exercise of measurements related to one of the topics of PHY 101. While we pay some attention to precise measurement, usually the emphasis is on clarification of concepts through experiencing them in real life, along with guided reflection upon those experiences.
   When you leave each lab meeting, you and your teammates will leave that day's completed lab report with your TA for grading. Lab reports are not written up after leaving, nor is there any other form of homework or examination.
   Because all of the work for PHY 111 is done during your weekly lab period, regular attendance is crucial. Your learning, and that of your teammates, depends on it.
   If an absence is unavoidable, please contact your T.A. at once. If it is possible for you to attend another lab meeting, please do so. After the week of a given lab exercise, we cannot guarantee any makeups. In case of hardship, please contact Prof. Saulson, saulson@phy.syr.edu.

Office Hours

   Every member of the staff of Physics 111 is committed to giving you every opportunity to succeed in the course. If you need help, please speak to one of us. We would also be happy to discuss any course topic in more detail.
   Prof. Saulson will hold office hours on Wednesdays from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. in Room 263-4, Physics Building. If this time is inconvenient, please call 3-5994 or send an e-mail message to saulson@physics.syr.edu for an appointment. Mr. Benaoum will announce his Physics Clinic hours shortly.
   Ms. Arlene Johnston is available in Room 111, Physics Building, from 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. weekdays. She is the person to see for signatures on add/drop forms, or for other administrative matters. If she is ever unavailable, please go to the Physics Department Main Office, Room 201 Physics Building, for assistance.

Grading

Grades will be calculated based on the total of your weekly lab scores. The lowest single score will be dropped before making the total.
Your grade will be determined by a scale that will not be stricter than the following: 60% for a C-, 80% for a B-, and 90% for an A-. More detailed breakdowns will be determined at the end of the semester.

PHY 111 Course Calendar

Lab 1, 28-29 August: Visualizing motion
Lab 2 , 4-5 September: Energy accounting in mechanics
Lab 3 , 11-12 September: Forces
Lab 4 , 18-19 September: DC electrical circuits
Lab 5 , 2-3 October: Electric motor
Lab 6 , 9-10 October: Electric power generation, induction, transformers
Lab 7 , 16-17 October: Energy storage, especially electrical
Lab 8, 23-24 October: Mechanical and electrical equivalents of heat; combustion calorimetry
Lab 9, 30-31 October: Energy balance in leaves
Lab 10, 6-7 November: Ergometers
Lab 11, 13-14 November: Phase transitions and behavior of gases
Lab 12, 27-28 November: Engines