Physics 226: Optics and Modern Physics Lab Fall 2012

Class: Physics 226
Time and Place: R 9:00-11:50 ISC 226
Dr. Marcus
E-mail: marcus@geneseo.edu
Overview
Physics 226: Optics and Modern Physics Lab
Fall 2012
This course complements Analytical Physics III lecture and is intended to give you direct experimental experience with
many of the topics discussed in that class. You will also study a few topics (like the lenses) that are not covered
anywhere else in the Analytical Physics sequence. This second-year laboratory class will build on your experimental
experiences and focus on developing good laboratory practices in keeping organized records, in successfully completing
experiments, in using advanced analysis methods, and in orally presenting your work.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this class a student will be able to
• Use linear and non-linear curve-fitting methods to analyze data
• Determine parameter uncertainties in non-linear analysis models
• Present experimental results both in written and oral form
Lab Manual and Logbook
The lab manual for this class (approximately 60 pages) will be distributed electronically (via myCourses) incrementally
during the semester. You will be able to access the relevant portion of the lab manual one week prior to each experiment.
You are REQUIRED to maintain the manual in a 3-ring binder as it is released to you. You also need to maintain a
hardcover quad-ruled logbook in which record your work for lab. The beginning of the lab manual contains the rules for
maintaining your logbook.
Access to me
My office is located in ISC 228A. See the schedule on my webpage and office door to see when I am available. I will hold
office hours on M: 1:30-3:30 TW: 10:30-11:30 R: 1:30-3:30 unless otherwise noted. I am also available by appointment at
other times.
Coursework
A section of the lab manual will be distributed with a pre-lab assignment one week ahead of each experiment. The prelab
assignment must be completed in your logbook prior to class. Each class will begin with a quiz based on the previous
week’s experiment and/or the pre-lab.
Your logbook must be maintained neatly and kept up-to date. Your logbooks may be graded at any time without prior
warning.
You will often be required to write a single page abstract of the experiment. Though you will share data with a lab partner,
your abstract must be written independently. As you learned in Analytical Physics I and II lab, the abstract should clear
and succinct. It should define the purpose of the experiment, describe how the experiment was conducted, explain the
method of analysis, present numerical results with uncertainty and discuss possible sources of error. When writing an
abstract, one copy should be turned in to the instructor and a second copy should be taped into your logbook.
At the end of the semester, you will make an oral presentation about one of the experiments you completed during the
semester. Your presentation will be graded on a number of elements including but not limited to: how well you did the
experiment, the content of your presentation, your use of informative visual aids, and the effective of your public speaking.
Grading
25% Weekly Quizzes
20% Logbooks
40% Worksheets and Abstracts
15% Oral Presentation

Class: Physics 226
Time and Place: R 9:00-11:50 ISC 226
Dr. Marcus
E-mail: marcus@geneseo.edu
Schedule of Experiments
Lab 0: Introduction Aug 28 – Aug 31
Lab 1: Index of Refraction of Glass/Lenses Sep 4 – Sep 7
Lab 2: Permittivity of Free Space Sep 11 – Sep 14
Lab 3: Polarization of Light Sep 18 – Sep 21
Lab 4: Ultrasonic Interference and Diffraction Sep 25 – Sep 28
Oct 2 – Oct 5
Fall Break – no labs this week Oct 8 – Oct 9
Lab 5: The Speed of Light Oct 16 – Oct 19
Oct 23 – Oct 26
Lab 6: The Bohr Atom Oct 30 – Nov 2
Lab 7: The Michelson Interferometer Nov 6 – Nov 9
Lab 8: Blackbody Radiation Nov 13 – Nov 16
Thanksgiving Break – no labs this week Nov 19 – Nov 23
Lab 9: Photoelectric Effect Nov 27 – Nov 30
Lab 10: Chaos – Computer Simulation Dec 4 – Dec 7
Oral Presentations
Section 1 (Tuesdays)
Monday, Dec 17, 3:30 pm
Section 2 (Wednesday) Monday, Dec 17, 12:00 pm
Section 3 (Thursdays)
Section 4 (Fridays)
Thursday, Dec 13, 8:00 am
Wednesday, Dec 12, 12:00 pm
You will work with a different lab partner each week. Your assigned lab partners are listed on
myCourses. To determine your lab partner(s) for any experiment, find the row corresponding to
your name, and then scan across until you find the number of the lab you are performing (as
listed above). The name above this number is your partner. If an experiment number is
colored pink, then you will make an oral presentation on your work for that experiment on
December 13.