PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1417 LABORATORY Spring 2010
General:
1. No food or drink allowed in lab.
2. Do not play with equipment. Ask for help if you don't know how to use it.
Experiments: An experiment will be performed each week relating to the material
discussed in lecture. Each experiment should contain:
I. A cover sheet with these elements in order:
1). The title of the experiment
2). A statement of the purpose of the experiment
3). Your name FIRST and underlined
D. The names of your lab partners
II. The data or work done in lab.
1) all work must be readable
2) One sample calculation must be shown for important equations
A. Write the equation in symbols
B. Rewrite the equation with your numbers in it. Include proper units
C. Complete the calculation showing the answer
3) all numbers should contain the proper units
4) data sheets are to be initialed by the instructor before leaving lab
III. Questions
1) Answer end of lab questions neatly and in complete sentences. You may discuss
your work with your lab partners but you may not copy anyone's questions.
Duplicates may have points deducted.
IV. 1. Lab reports should be neat, organized and conform to standard rules of
grammar. The instructor may grade spelling and neatness.
2. Lab reports are usually due by the beginning of the next lab meeting after
the experiment is completed.
3. Clean up your work area before you leave class: put equipment neatly in
middle of table, chairs under desk, pick up scrap paper, etc.
Grading:
Please note: Laboratory attendance is required and graded.
1. There are 12 experiments scheduled. The instructor will use the best 10
grades for you lab average. This means you get to drop two experiment grades.
2. There are no makeup labs scheduled. If you are absent for any reason
(including excused absences) the absence will be covered by one of the dropped
grades. If you miss more than two experiments you will receive zeros for the
excess missing grades. Monitor your attendance wisely!
3. Class begins when the instructor calls role. If you are not in the room when
he calls role, you will be marked absent. You may change an absence to a tardy
if you inform the instructor later during the period. However, there may be a
grade deduction for tardiness. The same applies to leaving class early without
permission.
4. Many experiments last 2 days. If you miss the first day of a lab, you will
generally not be able to make up the lab. If you attend the first day, but miss
the second, under some circumstances you might be able to complete the lab or
get partial credit for the work you did. If you must be absent for a scheduled
school event, please contact the instructor IN ADVANCE, and it might be possible
to complete the missed work.