In this lab, any one of a number of experiments could be profitably pursued for the entire year. However, most students find that eventually they have discovered enough physics with a particular apparatus, and wish to move on. You are encouraged to decide, in discussion with your group leader, whether you wish to do this laboratory course by performing a greater number of experiments at a more superficial level or a fewer number in greater depth. The weights ratings given to experiments (see list of experiments ) in the last section of these notes should help to guide you as to the depth of experimentation typically carried out by students in this laboratory. (Recall that a weight is roughly the number of three hour lab sessions needed to perform the experiment to this `typical' level.) The actual weight you receive for a particular experiment is a matter for discussion with the demonstrator responsible for the experiment. Your first experiment will be of a one or two weight length. Later experiments may be longer. In selecting your experiments and weights as well as when planning your experiment, you should manage your time carefully. With the many tasks to perform in the lab, it is all too easy to spend many more hours than scheduled something to be avoided!
Evaluation of experiments will be done by the demonstrator responsible for the individual experiment. For most of your experiments, you will be evaluated using a mix of in-lab assessment and lab notebook examination. For some of your experiments, a short oral interview may form some or all the basis of evaluation.
EXERCISES:
FORMAL REPORT:
You will write and submit a formal lab report in journal style format. The formal report serves primarily as a writing exercise and will be marked by your group leader. It will be based on an experiment you have completed. (See the section on formal report writing)