Each week you will complete some lab work and post to Slack (data, a graph, a photo, a video, or a question) on Tuesdays. Lab reports are due on Canvas on Thursdays.
Week 1 (1/7, 1/9): Hooke’s law
Week 2 (1/14, 1/16): Pendulum
Week 3 (1/21, 1/23): Thermal conduction
Week 4 (1/28, 1/30): Calorimetry
Week 5 (2/4, 2/6): Archimedes' principle
Week 6 (2/11, 2/13): Mechanical equivalent of heat, creative lab proposal due
Week 7 (2/18, 2/20): Sound, creative lab equipment request due
Week 8 (2/25, 2/27): Standing sound waves
Week 9 (3/4, 3/6): Triboelectric effect
Week 10 (3/11, 3/13): Creative lab
Each lab report will be graded on a scale of 0 to 5 according to the rubric in the general lab instructions. The final grade will be based on the average score for the term (subject to deductions for missing or unacceptable reports).
A = 4-5
B = 3 - 3.99
C = 2 - 2.99
D = 1 - 1.99
F = 0 - 0.99
Lab reports and written homework must be submitted as a single pdf only. Please always name your files with your name and the name of the assignment included. Always submit images right side up. Do not ever take photos of your monitor; take screenshots instead. Work that is submitted in an unapproved format may be returned for resubmission or given a grade of zero.
Survey: You will be provided a link to a survey at the beginning of the term. Failure to complete the survey will result in a deduction of 0.25 from your average grade.
Errors for Extra Credit: If you find correctable errors in any of the websites or documents for the class, then post them to Slack for a bit of extra credit.
Missing/Unacceptable Report Policy: For each missing or unacceptable report, you will get a zero plus a deduction of 0.5 from your average grade.
Late Policy: Late work and make-ups will not generally be allowed without prior arrangements. In advance, you may negotiate alternate due dates. Do not be afraid to ask; the answer is almost always “yes.” When negotiating alternate due dates, you do not need to divulge personal information; focus on what you need instead of why. There are two exceptions to this policy:
During the first week, more flexibility is called for as you get oriented to the class. Just make sure that you get everything done by Friday so that you don’t get dropped from the class.
Technical or last minute personal issues might cause you to turn in your work a few minutes late without negotiations in advance. Don’t panic or abandon the work; you will not be blocked by Canvas. Just turn in the work as soon as you can and I will almost certainly grade it without penalty if you aren’t making it a habit. But be sure to communicate with me if it will be more than a few hours late. And be sure to negotiate in advance whenever possible.
Resubmission Police: You will be given a zero and be asked to resubmit your work if it is unacceptable. If so, then you should do so within three working days of when it is graded. You also have this option if you get below a grade of 4 on a lab.
Incomplete Policy: A grade of incomplete (I) may be negotiated when a student with passing work needs additional time to complete the course. An incomplete will not be granted as a substitute for a failing grade (F).
No-Show Drop Procedure: You are required to complete the first lab during the first week. Failure to do so may result in a “no-show drop” at the discretion of the instructor.
Grade Appeals: You have one week from the time anything is graded to appeal its score in writing. Failure to do so constitutes acceptance of the grade. Please (respectfully) appeal grades that you either don’t understand or think are incorrect. It can be an opportunity for learning and I do make mistakes.