course syllabus

1. Physics 71.1 Course Syllabus
1st Semester, AY 2007-2008
A. Course Information
Course Number: Physics 71.1
Course Description: Elementary Physics Laboratory I
Credit: 1 unit
Schedule (Days/Time):
Instructor:
Name: _______________________________________________________
Faculty Room: __________________________________________________
Consultation Hours: _____________________________________________
Contact Information: _____________________________________________
Groupmates (Names/Contact Numbers/Email Addresses):
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
B. Course Mission
The Physics 71.1 (Elementary Physics Laboratory I) course will develop basic skills in taking and
reporting scientific observation and relating it to a theory or model.
C. Specific Goals
At the end of the semester the students should
• have developed basic skills in taking and reporting scientific observation;
• be able to appreciate the role of direct observation to the development of theory and vice versa;
• have developed collaborative learning skills;
• have gained better understanding of the concepts of classical mechanics.
D. Activities
Activity module Concepts/Objectives Meetings
Exercise 1
Measurement, Uncertainty and
Deviation
• Appreciate the role of measurements in
scientific endeavor
• Report the best estimate of observables in
relation to the purpose of quantifying their
values
• Define the degrees of approximation used for
precision (Fermi, rounding off, significant
figures, maximum pessimism)
• Determine the acceptability of a theoretical
prediction and/or an experimental proof given
the precision and deviation
1
Exercise 2
Graphical Analysis • Create a graphical representation of a given set
of data that will best show its purpose
• Determine theoretical/model parameters from a
graph of experimental data using linear fit and
trend lines
• Analyze implications of experimental data to
the theory
1

2. Activity module Concepts/Objectives Meetings
Activity 1
Using Calipers • Appreciate the relation of available
measurement uncertainty (or precision) to the
practical choice of measuring devices
• Measure the dimensions of an object using
Ruler, vernier caliper and micrometer caliper
• Identify a sample based on its density
1
Activity 2
Uniformly Accelerated Linear
Motion
• Explain the observed motion of a freely falling
object in terms of uniformly accelerating 1D
motion (utilizing computer interface)Create a
graphical representation of a given set of data
that will best show its purpose
1
Activity 3
Conservation of Energy and
Momentum
• Illustrate the law of conservation of energy and
momentum using a pendulum-projectile set-up
1
Activity 4
Projectile Motion • Determine the trajectory of a projectile and
study motion in two dimensions.
1
Activity 5
Static Equilibrium • Verify the conditions for static equilibrium, in
particular, that the net force and the net torque
is zero
1
Activity 6
Simple harmonic Motion:
Spring-Mass System
• Obtain the best estimate of the elastic (spring)
constant for the vertical spring-mass system
• Determine the mass of an object using the
concept of simple harmonic motion using a
spring-mass system.
1
Activity 7
Sound Waves
• Measure how long it takes sound to travel
down and back in a long tube.
• Determine the speed of sound.
• Determine frequency, period and amplitude
of sound waves using different sound sources
• Observe beats between the sounds of two
tuning forks.
1
E. Important Dates
Mid semester: 8 Aug
Deadline for dropping: 6 Sept
Written examination: 15 Sept
Practical examination: 17 Sept – 22 Sept
Last day of classes: 5 Oct
F. Grading System
Worksheets 50%
Data gathering and calculation 30%
Answers to questions 20%
Class Performance, Prelabs, Quizzes, Homeworks 10%
Written Examination 20%
Practical Examination 20%
Grading Scheme:
[92, 100] 1.00 [68, 72] 2.50
[88, 92) 1.25 [64, 68) 2.75
[84, 88) 1.50 [60, 64) 3.00
[80, 84) 1.75 [50, 60) 4.00
[76, 80) 2.00 [0, 50) 5.00
[72, 76) 2.25

3. G. Guidelines
On Worksheets
• Worksheets will be checked at the end of every experiment.
• Worksheets should be accomplished individually and will be collected the next meeting day the
experiment is finished. Worksheets will only be accepted during class hours and should be
submitted directly to the instructor. Late worksheets will be given deductions on a weekly basis:
50% per late week.
• Copying another person’s worksheet (except for the raw data, in the case of groupmates) is
forbidden. Anyone caught violating this rule will immediately be suspected of cheating and as
such, will be subject to disciplinary action appropriate to the gravity of the offense committed,
which shall include, but not limited to, the following: issuance of a grade of 5.0 for the worksheet
or the subject; or reporting the event to the Student Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT).
• All worksheets should be returned on the day of the written examination. Students who will not
surrender the all worksheets will be given a grade of INC.
On class activities
• A student is responsible for knowing the proper usage/operation of any apparatus/equipment
assigned to him/her or his/her group. Any student who has damaged/defaced any
experimental apparatus/equipment shall be liable for the corresponding repair, or in the case of
irreparable damage, shall be made to pay an amount equal to the cost of the apparatus at the
present time.
• Eating, drinking, smoking, horse playing and the use of communication device inside the
laboratory are forbidden.
On make-up of missed activity
• Make-up activities will be given only to missed activities with valid excuse, provided that the
excuse slip is submitted on or before the first day the student comes back to class. Only medical
certificates from the UP Health Service (in case of illnesses) and letter from parent/guardian (in
case of family member’s death) are deemed valid. Only one make-up activity is allowed.
• In case classes are suspended for any valid reason, the schedule of activities shall be moved by an
amount of time equal to that which is lost due to the suspension.
• No make-up is allowed for the final examinations. If a student misses the Practical Examination,
he/she will be given a grade of zero. If a student misses the Written Examination due to a valid
excuse (see previous item on the definition of valid excuses), he/she will be given a final grade of
INC if he/she has a prefinal grade of 40%or better. Otherwise, he/she automatically will be
given a grade of 5.0.
On conditional status
• A grade of DRP will only be given to a student if the instructor receives the duly validated copy
of the dropping slip.
• A student granted an LOA will be given a grade of either DRP or 5.0. A grade of 5.0 is given if
the LOA is granted after ¾ of the semester has elapsed and the student is failing; otherwise a
grade of DRP is given.
• When a student receives a 4.0 mark, he/she must take the course again. There is no removal
examination for Physics 71.1.