PHYSICS 101L

LABORATORY FOR MECHANICS

(Companion to Physics 301, the corequisite)

        These experiments are designed to illustrate the experimental basis of mechanics and to introduce you to the basic principles of
experimental physics -- quantitative measurement in a framework of theoretical understanding and the assessment of accuracy
and uncertainty in measurements and experimental results.
        To avoid lengthy and time-consuming laboratory reports, most experiments will be completed, including the report, in the
laboratory session.  This is possible only if you arrive prepared.  Preparation includes careful reading of the experiment and
completion of the Pre-lab, found at the end of each regular experiment in the Laboratory Manual.  The Pre-labs will be collected
at the beginning of each session, and you may not be admitted to the laboratory without having completed the Pre-lab.
       Because an introduction to mechanics is needed for almost all experiments, the laboratories begin only after a number of lectures
in Phy 301 have been completed.  However, you should obtain the Laboratory Manual and begin reading immediately.
Considerable reading and preparation are required for Experiment 1.

                                                                            Spring 2018


Using the computers in the laboratory, RLM 7.322:
       Username: Your UT EID
       Password:  Your password

Note that the laboratory does not begin immediately.  This schedule is intended to provide you with an introduction to the material
in the lectures before doing the relevant experiments.  You must do each of the experiments at your scheduled time. 
If you miss one experiment for good cause, you will be permitted to make it up no later than the last week of class, which is scheduled for this purpose.
       If you have not already done so,  you should obtain the Laboratory Manual from the University Coop and read the Introduction,
Experiment 0, and related material.   You may either complete Experiment 0 and turn it in at the first meeting or complete the work
during the laboratory period. 
    You should bring your Manual and a USB flash drive to each laboratory meeting.
     All work, including any make-ups, must be completed by the last  class day; no work will be accepted thereafter.

List of Experiments

    Week                    Experiment

5 Feb          Experiment 0 – Graphical Methods

12 Feb        Experiment 1 -- Probability

19 Feb        Experiment 2 -- Free fall

26 Feb        Experiment 3 -- Newton’s First Law

5 Mar          Experiment 4 -- Projectile Trajectories

10 Mar        Experiment 5 -- Hooke’s Law

26 Mar        Experiment 6 -- Simple Collisions

2 Aptil       Experiment 7 -- Ballistic Pendulum

9 April        Experiment 8 -- Physical Collisions

16 April       Experiment 9 -- Rolling track

23 April       Experiment 10  -- Harmonic Oscillator