Physics 151: Principles of Physics
Westminster College
Fall 2011
Resources- Data analysis software
Data Studio, the software that we use to take and analyze data in the lab, is available for you to use on your own computer (this is legal because of the physics deparment's site license). To install Data Studio on your computer download the software from the manufacturer's website and request the site license codes from me. - Computer Modeling software
In the lab we also use visual python to make 3-D models of physical situations. This software is freely available and can be downloaded here.
| Date | Description | Documentation | |
| Date | Description | Documentation | |
| Sept. 1 | Introduction to Motion | Lab. 1 | |
| Sept. 8 | Introduction to Motion cont. | ||
| Sept. 15 | Force and Acceleration
You will need this discussion of measurement uncertainty and propagation of error. | Lab. 2 | |
| Sept. 22 | Vector Addition and vPython Tutorial | Lab. 3 and
vPython Handout 1 | |
| Sept. 29 | Projectile Motion and vPython Simulation of a
Moving Fan Cart
Note:You will need to bring paper to take take notes, record measurements, and make calculations on. Note:There is a prelab for this experiment, exploring this simulation. Notice that you are given a tape measure. | Lab. 4
and
vPython Handout 2 | |
| Oct. 7 | Circular Motion and vPython Calculation and Display
of the Gravitional Force |
Lab. 5 and
vPython Handout 3 | |
| Oct. 13 | vPython Exercises:
Spacecraft: Orbiting Earth Spacecraft: Journey to the Moon | vPython Handouts 4 and 5 spacecraft shell program. | |
| Oct. 20 | Momentum Video Analysis Tips | Lab. 6 | |
| Oct. 27 | Work and Energy | Lab. 7 | |
| Nov. 3 | Review session and Planning for Self-Designed Lab | ||
| Nov. 10 | Self-Designed Lab
Formal Report Guidelines | ||
| Nov. 17 | Static Equalibrium | Lab. 8 | |
| Nov. 24 | Thanksgiving Break | ||
| Dec. 1 | Fluids Demo. | Demo. 1 | |
| Dec. 6 | Thermodynamics Demo. | Demo. 2 |