Phys 128 Syllabus
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Phys 128 Syllabus
In this course you will work through a set of foundational physics experiments. The aim is for you to continue learning how to do experimental physics.
1 Course Information and Material
1. The primary information for the course - the lab write ups - are here: http: //web.physics.ucsb.edu/~phys128/. There is important information in the “Ex- ceptions to work required by lab manuals” section of the“Lab Notebook and Report Guidelines” document.
2. The course’s textbook:
An Introduction to Error Analysis: The Study of Uncertainties in Physical Measurements, 2nd edition
John R. Taylor
ISBN 093570275X (978-0935702750)
3. Lab assignments and lab partners will be set based on your lab preferences (to be submitted later).
4. Each lab group will turn in one lab report per lab.
5. Each person must turn in a pdf of their lab notebook for each lab.
Each person must keep a lab notebook. You may use a physical or electronic note- book, but in either case each person is responsible for turning in a legible pdf of their lab notebook. Using a Google doc is recommended, they are the standard in many physics research groups. See “Lab Notebook and Report Guidelines” for details on what is ex- pected in your lab notebook.
For your lab reports LaTeX is required and Overleaf, a LaTex interface, is strongly rec- ommended. See “Lab Notebook and Report Guidelines” for details on what is expected in your lab reports. Allot time to learn LaTex, it is not trivial, but it is powerful software and it is the standard in physics.
2 Lab cycle
You will do four experiments. For each experiment you will have four days in the lab for measurements. You will work with your lab partners on a single lab report per experi- ment (four lab reports total).
1. Before day 1 of a new lab read about the lab you are assigned to and do any pre-lab work in your lab notebook.
2. On days 1-4, you will be working on the labs, keeping all of your data/procedures/observations/comments in your lab notebook. You will need to record your work in order to analyze your data outside the laboratory and prepare your lab report. Attendance is mandatory - you’re working in a group. The TAs will circulate to help you.
3. Lab reports and the corresponding lab notebook pdfs will be turned in prior to start- ing measurements for the next lab.
4. An earnest pre-lab, notes in the lab notebook, and a solid write up with final values that are off from the accepted values will generally receive a higher grade than rough pre-lab, lab notes, and write up with “perfect” final numerical values. “Bending” data to hit accepted values is at best implicit bias and at worst is scientific fraud. It is an important lab skill (and a hard one!) to catch all the ways we all tend to do this unintentionally.
3 Safety
There are important safety issues in any lab work of which you must be aware. Some ex- amples of safety hazards are intense light sources (e.g. lasers), electrical hazards (high voltage or current), radiation sources (radioisotopes or X-ray machines), and extreme temperatures. You are required assess safety issues before starting an experiment. You will need to take steps to carry out your experiments safely; this is part of being an exper- imentalist. For example:
• Look for safety-related information in the lab manual and the equipment manuals.
• Ask an instructor about anything that concerns you.
• Communicate clearly and unambiguously with your lab partner while working. Include safety in the planning discussions with your lab partner.
Important safety rules that everyone must follow:
• You may never work alone. There must always be at least two people in the room.
• Never leave activated equipment unattended without approval from an instructor.
• If any accident occurs, you must immediately report it to an instructor.
4 Grading
Grades will be weighted as follows:
1. 5% - Problem set 1
2. 50% - Lab reports (one per group).
3. 45% - Lab notebook (one per student).
See the “Lab Notebook and Report Guidelines” document for details on grading.
2023-02-28