PHY 151L - Introductory Physics Lab I, 1 credit hour

Corequisite(s): Except by permission of the instructor, PHY 151L is to be taken concurrently with PHY 131 and PHY 152L to be taken concurrently with PHY 132. Laboratory to accompany General Physics I and II (PHY 131, PHY 132).
Experiments designed to investigate and reinforce the ideas and concepts developed in General Physics. Employing recent computer technology to gather and graphically analyze data, PHY 151L emphasizes experiments in mechanics (motion, force, energy, etc.) and heat (temperature, heat capacity, latent heat, etc.). PHY 152L first focuses on mechanical oscillations, static electricity, DC circuits, Ohm’s law, frequency-dependent AC circuits, and magnetic effects. Students gain some experience with “bread-boarding” circuits, and the use of modern digital multi-meters and CRT oscilloscopes. The last part of PHY 152L concentrates on the basic properties of light with experiments in reflection, refraction, simple optical systems, and interference.