Note: The first meeting of the laboratory is on Monday January 25. The previous hour of Physics 251 recitation (2:15-3:10) in room P-124 Grad Phys will be used to introduce the methods of error analysis which will be critically important in the Physics 252 Lab.

Teachers

Course Instructions

The laboratory instructions given here are the same as those distributed in class, except that minor corrections may be made on the versions posted here. You should study the lab instructions before coming to lab, and review the relevant theory, which will usually be discussed in lecture not long before the lab. Occasionally there will be quizzes at the beginning of the lab to test this or other aspects of the lab course.

Equipment

You should own a scientific calculator with trig, log, and exponential functions, and bring it to laboratory. In addition, you will need a laboratory notebook (see the Laboratory section below).

Examinations

In addition to the occasional quizzes, there will be one half-hour examination on Monday April 26. This will cover the physics of all 10 labs, asking primarily the question "how is --- measured."

Grading

Your final grade will be based on the labs (85%) and on quizzes and the lab test (15%).

The Laboratory

The laboratory experimentation may be done alone or with at most one lab partner. However, the data analysis, error analysis, and the writing of the lab report should be done fully independently! Reports that are copied will not be accepted.

Laboratory intructions will be handed out in class and may also be printed from the web (see the links below).

You should obtain a letter-size log-book containing graph ruling on one side and college ruling on the facing pages (e.g. the Engineering and Science Notebook). Your report should contain a good sketch of your apparatus, with description of the important parts, and should contain ALL the original data of ALL your experiments. Carefully check that you performed all tasks required. After each measurement, leave space for calculations, and perform checks and quick analysis before continuing with the next step.

You are encouraged to use a word processor and spreadsheet program in the preparation of the report and for the calculations and graphs. In any case, the report should always contain the full set of original data, and all calculations and derivations, referring to the lab book page numbers when necessary.

Laboratory reports are due by 4:00 pm on the Friday after the lab period, and are to be deposited in the PHY251 mailbox in the Physics help room A-131. Delayed reports (unless there is a prearranged situation or medical excuse) will be accepted and graded, but will be considered as zeros when computing the final course grade. All labs are necessary to pass the course. Any missing lab will cause the course grade to be dropped by two steps, that is, from A- to B, or B+ to B-.

Laboratory Schedule

Laboratory		Week
1	Michelson Interferometer	Jan. 25
2	Photoelectric Effect	Feb. 1
3	Measurement of the Electron Charge	Feb. 8
4	Vibration Spectrum of One-Dimensional Waves	Feb. 15
5	Measurement of e/m for Electrons	Feb. 22
	No Lab -- midterm exam	March 1
6	Emission Spectrum of Hydrogen	March 8
7	Bragg Scattering of Microwaves	March 15
	No Lab -- midterm exam	March 22
	spring break	March 29
8	The Geiger Counter	April 5
9	Radioactive Decays	April 12
10	Dynamics of Elementary Particles	April 19
	Lab Make-up*) and lab test	April 26

*) Only for students with authorized absence or medical excuse. Arrange with the Lab TA two weeks in advance, to allow time for the apparatus to be set up.

Special Notes:

Any excuses (medical or otherwise) are to be documented, and discussed with the instructors in a timely manner. If you have a physical, psychiatric, medical, or learning disability that may impact on your ability to carry out assigned course work, I urge that you contact the staff in the Disabled Student Services office (DSS), Room 133 Humanities, 632-6748. DSS will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation of disability is confidential.