Laboratory

In previous years, the honors physics sections performed the same labs as the regular intro physics sections. New for 2018, we will be testing out a pilot program. The labs will be inquiry-based and open-ended with a general problem to solve, working in pairs. Each group will receive an IOLabs device that is an all-in-one physics wireless lab system. It transmits sensor data in real-time back to your computer, which you can inspect and analyze for the problem at hand.

From its website: "Built in sensors measure force, acceleration, velocity, displacement, magnetic field, rotation, light, sound, temperature, pressure, and voltages down to a few μV. Expansion connectors provide access to over a dozen user controllable digital and analog inputs and outputs. Free software controls the device, acquires and displays data in real time, and provides a suite of analysis and data manipulation features."

Please install the driver (if using Windows) and application before Lab 2. Lab 1 will not require the use of the IOLab.

You can bring the IOLab device home. We will also provide some necessary supplies when the lab is introduced. You will be expected to perform some of the lab activities outside of the lab period with real-world items and circumstances, as will be described in each set of lab instructions.

Some of the labs will require some programming during the analysis and interpretation, where you will create theoretical models that best fit the experimental data. The TA can guide you in creating these programs. You are free to use any programming language, but be aware that the TA or professor may not know some languages, if you have a syntax or compiling error. However, we can assist in the algorithmic design of your code.

Lab Schedule

  • Lab 1 (08/28): The electric field in virtual reality. Due Date: 08/29
  • Lab 2 (09/04, 09/11): Electric field and potential. Due Date: 09/24
    • Note: no lab on 09/18
  • Lab 3 (09/25, 10/02): Circuits: Resistors and Capacitors. Due Date: 10/15
  • Note: no lab on 10/09 - Fall Break
  • Lab 4 (10/16, 10/23): Exploring magnetic fields. Due Date: 10/29
  • Lab 5 (10/30, 11/06): Faraday's Law and Inductance. Due Date: 11/12
  • Lab 6 (11/13, 11/27): Dipoles and E&M in matter. Due Date: 12/03
    • Note: No Lab on 11/20 - Thanksgiving week
  • 12/04: No lab - last week of classes

With the exception of Lab 1, you will present your findings in a 7-10 page report (12-pt font, 1-inch margins, single spaced) for all labs. Their format will be similar to actual research publications with the following sections:

  1. Introduction
  2. Theoretical background (include equations)
  3. Experimental description
  4. Results and interpretation
  5. Conclusions
  6. Bibliography

They will be due on Canvas at 11:59pm on the specified day in the schedule above. Please upload a PDF.