Course Syllabus

PHYS 1015 Elementary Physics Laboratory

Course Description

PHYS 1015 is a laboratory course to accompany PHYS 1010. Students will learn techniques of measurement and data analysis using observation, mathematical principles and the scientific method. Laboratory experiments will provide hands-on opportunities to deepen knowledge and understanding of the principles of physics that are taught in the companion course PHYS 1010. (Lab fee required)

Justification

This course is a general education course that is the companion to the lecture course, PHYS 1010. This course will present the scientific method and the scientific attitude to students through a variety of experiments that are based on the various topics that are taught in the companion course PHYS 1010.

This course will strengthen students' understanding of the principles of physics and how it is applied and explained in everyday phenomena. This provides students the knowledge needed to speak intelligently about the physics principles that affect our everyday lives. It also helps students to use the scientific method to study and make scientifically based conclusions about topics that affect our world and our society. Students learn to dispel misunderstandings and explain very practical phenomena.

In this lab course, students explore the scientific method to test proposed theories in a laboratory setting. Hypothesis testing in a laboratory setting is an essential experience in understanding the scientific method. For the natural sciences, science is the systematic inquiry into natural phenomena, organizing and condensing those observations into testable models and hypotheses, theories or laws. The success and credibility of science is anchored in the willingness of scientists to:

1) expose their ideas and results to independent testing and replication by other scientists which requires the complete and open exchange of data, procedures, and materials; and

2) abandon or modify accepted conclusions when confronted with more complete or reliable experimental evidence.
Adherence to these principles provides a mechanism for self-correction that is the foundation of the credibility of science. (Adapted from a statement by the Panel on Public Affairs of the American Physical Society which was endorsed by the Executive Board of the American Association of Physics Teachers in 1999.)

This knowledge of the scientific method and the scientific attitude provides students a foundation upon which they can better navigate their future lives and careers when confronted with conflicts requiring evaluation, and afford them resilience in their ability to grow and rethink their scientific understanding of the physical world around them.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. A primary purpose of this course is to give students a practical understanding of physics, and to show how physical scientists apply the scientific method to increase their knowledge about the natural world. Student concept mastery will be assessed on lab reports, quizzes, and/or final exam.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. In lab experiments, students are required to gather and analyze their data then present a conclusion or summary of their experiment. They are also required to present their findings in graphical form in most of the labs. Student ability to read, retrieve, evaluate, interpret, and deliver information will be evaluated on lab reports, quizzes, and/or final exam.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Students are required to predict experimental results, calculate experimental results, and compare experimental results with theoretical results as part of the lab exercises. In order to conduct the experiment, calculate experimental results, and report their findings, students must draw from multiple disciplines including math, a variety of disciplines within the study of physics and writing. Student ability to draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems will be evaluated on lab reports, quizzes, and/or final exam.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Students are required to predict experimental results, calculate experimental results, and compare experimental results with theoretical results as part of the lab exercises. In order to best predict, measure and explain the results, students must reason analytically using measurements and data. Students must reason critically by learning to take precise measurements and understand how their results differ from theoretical results. Students must reason creatively by deciding how to approach problem solving using the concepts they have learned, data they have gathered and other supporting resources presented in the course. Student ability to reason will be evaluated on lab reports, quizzes, and/or final exam.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Students will be given opportunities in lab assignments to acquire knowledge by trained observation and experimentation on the topics assigned in the lab course.  Students will be given opportunities in lab assignments to acquire knowledge by trained observation and experimentation on the topics assigned in the lab course.

Student Learning Outcomes

Course Content

Physics 1015 is a general education course that provides students an overview of the physics of everyday phenomena. Lab experiments will follow the topics presented in the companion course Physics 1010 to present hands on experiments to further their understanding of those principles taught. Laboratory exercises will teach students how to take measurements, predict results, analyze experimental results, and determine their margin of error compared to theoretical results. Experimental results will be determined through various measurements and applying mathematical calculations using the equations of physics and algebra principles. Data will be observed and compared using graphing of the data as well. Students will be challenged in the lab procedures and assignments to demonstrate their knowledge of the physics principles being explored in the lab. In addition, students will respond to questions in the lab that explore the application of the principles of physics in real world scenarios and help them explore and develop awareness of how our impact on the world and its inhabitants will affect various populations and global issues.Lab experiments will be conducted for nearly all of the following topics:• Method of measurements• simple measurements to determine density• acceleration of a freely falling body• projectile motion• conservation of momentum• torques and equilibrium• thermal equivalent of mechanical work• specific heat and latent heat• buoyancy• simple harmonic motion• lenses and image formation• electrical circuits• radioactive decay and entropy principles