What am I doing here? In this lab, we will be doing experiments to learn about "mechanics" (the motion of objects). The overall arch of the course is for you to gain skill and understanding with the way scientific, quantitative measurements are made, and to understand and be able to quantify the limitations of those measurements. Some of the learning outcomes include improving your ability to perform experiments, your understanding of the scientific principles involved in each experiment, your ability to analyze and interpret quantitative data (including the ability to quantitatively determine uncertainties in results and measurements), your ability to use scientific equipment (rulers, watches, cameras, scales, etc.), your ability to maintain a proper scientific logbook, and your ability to write proper scientific summaries of your work.

How will I be graded? Your grade will be determined by:

	Lab Quizzes (weekly):	30%
	Weekly Assignments (abstracts, worksheets):	40%
	Lab Notebook:	10%
	Lab Final	20%
		100%

Attendance is required at all labs, and you will not be permitted to submit work for labs that you didn't attend (including both parts of any two-week labs). In addition, your grade will be reduced by one full letter for each lab you skip (e.g., a B- will become a C-). You will be permitted to make up labs if you have a documented, legitimate reason for missing lab (like a documented illness, a religious conflict, a military obligation, or a varsity sports commitment).

 

Late submissions will lose 10% of their value per day.

 

The quizzes are actually take-home assignments that are due at the beginning of each lab. They are intended to insure that you have read and understood the appropriate sections of the lab manual before coming to lab.

 

To a large degree, your grade on assignments will be based on the evidence of the effort you put into them (as opposed to "getting the expected value"). While writing your assignments, you must work independently of others, including any lab partners who worked with you during the experiment. The use of Artificial Intelligence (for example, ChatGPT) is completely forbidden. Also, while you and your partner will have different Excel files, it is expected that you will collaborate during the experiment so that they both contain the same measurements and basic results. Assignments are due at the beginning of each lab.

 

Your lab notebook is a record of what you did during the lab, and it is expected to be updated minute-by-minute as you perform your labs. Your lab notebook will be graded in a personal "interview" approximately three times during the semester. The interviews will be unannounced, since you are expected to maintain your notebook continuously throughout the semester. The grade for your notebook will be substantially affected by whether your prior lab information is complete. Neatness is of far less importance, so you should never delay completing your notebook "when you can do it more neatly" later. If you pursue a career in science, you will find that completing a logbook at a time different than the events it records is a common example of scientific fraud in industry settings. Print and review the grading guidelines above as a way to check yourself weekly for proper content (those guidelines will be the basis for your notebook grades).

As part of your "logbook" grade, you will be expected to submit an electronic copy of your Excel document from the previous week's lab. The grade will be based on completion, organization, formatting, whether it agrees with your partner's data, and yet is unique and not merely copied from your partner. Excel submissions will be made using a Google dropbox (see info above), and are due at the beginning of each lab.