Introductory Experimental Physics
I have developed a series of skill‑focused laboratory experiments designed to help students build the foundational abilities required of effective experimental physicists. Each lab guides students through essential practices such as planning an experiment, collecting high‑quality data, performing best‑fit analysis, collaborating within a group, and writing a clear, independent lab report.
Students begin each experiment by reading the provided background materials and completing a pre‑lab exercise that prepares them for the techniques and concepts they will use. During the lab session, they work in groups to carry out the experiment, apply appropriate data‑analysis methods, and discuss their findings. Afterward, they complete an online post‑lab assignment to reinforce key ideas and reflect on their results.
Toward the end of the semester, each lab group selects a project‑based experiment where they demonstrate the full set of skills they have developed throughout the course. This culminating experience helps students integrate planning, measurement, analysis, teamwork, and scientific communication—ultimately preparing them to become capable experimentalists and confident scientists.
Course Goals:
After completion of this course, students' should be able to:
1) Empirically construct knowledge about physical phenomena that are significant for real-life experiences & career aspirations by
- Posing a question that can be experimentally probed,
- Constructing a methodology for testing the question, ideally by changing only one variable at a time,
- Recognizing the importance of these laboratory activities to your career aspirations and everyday life.
2) Critically examine the data and draw conclusions about how well the data supports hypotheses and models by
- Identifying whether a hypothesis is testable,
- Making a prediction based on a model,
- Explaining the meaning of quoted uncertainties on data points.
3) Meaningfully interpret and create different types of scientific communication, including graphs and cogent written and verbal evaluation of findings by
- Creating a graph,
- Interpreting a graph,
- Explaining what you did to gather data that address your questions, explain how you conducted the investigation, and what your decision making process was.