Purpose

Redevelop the calculus based laboratories (physics 121L, 122L, & 123L) to:

• Improve correlation between physics 121L, 122L, & 123L
• Improve correlation between lecture and laboratories for physics 121L, 122L, & 123L
• Implement RTP into the laboratory curriculum
• Implement numerous computer technologies into laboratory curriculum

Conclusions

1. Develop a new physics 121L laboratory manual. This new manual will address students' needs under this new curriculum of RTP and increased computer technologies. The preface, introduction, letter to student, and table of contents will be rewrite/develop explaining to students the new curriculum and computer technologies. New appendices will be developed as reference materials to explain the operations of RTP hardware, RTP software, Graphical Analysis software, Excel software, Word software, MathCad software, micrometer calipers, Vernier calipers, graphical techniques, error analysis, standard deviation, and laboratory reports.

2. Restructure the first five laboratories of 121L into four laboratories. This new structure will complete the laboratory study of kinematics before the lecture exam on kinematics. This new structure will begin physical investigations in the second week of the semester to improve correlation between lecture and laboratories and improve student learning. Moreover, graphing techniques, measurement techniques, data analysis, addition of vectors, and error analysis will be taught though out the laboratory semester will skills being presented on an as needed base.

3. Develop a new first/introduction laboratory based on students needs under this new curriculum of RTP and increased computer technologies. This laboratory will introduce the students to the RTP hardware/software, Graphical Analysis, some graphing techniques, error estimation, significant figures, Vernier and micrometer calipers, and propagation of errors. However, other laboratory skill will not be presented until needed.

4. Rewrite the kinematics laboratories into a two week investigation of one dimensional motion and a one week investigation of two dimensional motion. The first week of 1-D kinematics will expand the students knowledge of calipers and error propagation; and, introduce Excel. The second week of 1-D kinematics will expand on graphical techniques (slope, regression line, power functions, log-log plots, curve fitting), Graphical Analysis, and Excel; and, introduce error bars. The 2-D kinematics will expand on Excel and error propagation; and, introduce standard deviation and MathCad

5. Develop a new laboratory investigating Newton's laws of motion. This lab will be designed around the RTP software and the low friction carts. This lab will investigate not only F=ma, but also the effect of friction and the incline effect.

6. Rewrite the Centripetal force lab to use the RTP software with our current equipment and/or see what Vernier sales for a centripetal force lab.

7. Develop a new laboratory investigating work and energy. This lab will be designed around the RTP software and the low friction carts. The focus of this lab will be the work energy theorem. The material in this lab will also include the efficiency laboratory.

8. Develop a new laboratory investigating conservation of energy. This lab will be designed around the RTP software, photogates, ultrasonic detectors, and the low friction carts.

9. Develop a new laboratory investigating impulse and collision. This lab will be designed around the RTP software, ultrasonic detectors, force probes, smart pulleys, and the low friction carts. This lab will investigate both elastic and inelastic collisions. It will also investigate energy losses.

10. Combine Dynamical comparison of masses and Simple harmonic motion laboratories into one lab on harmonic motion. This lab will be designed around the RTP software and hardware. This lab will investigate not only a horizontal and vertical frictionless, massless spring; but also springs with mass, under damped springs, over damped spring, and critically damped springs (and maybe forced oscillations / resonance).

11. Rewrite the Rotational inertia lab to the RTP equipment and improve the data analysis sections.

12. Develop a new lab investigating pure rotation dynamics about a fixed axis. This lab will be designed around the RTP software and hardware.

13. Develop a new two week lab investigating rotational dynamics about a translating axis. This lab will be designed around the RTP software and hardware.

14. Develop a new laboratory investigating Archimedes' principle. This lab will be designed around the RTP software and hardware with focus on the force probes. This lab will investigate different fluids as well as floating and sinking objects.

15. Rewrite the wave motion lab. This lab will be designed around the RTP software and hardware. The lab will use the RTP microphone to detect resonance in order to determine the speed of sound. In addition, the RTP microphone will be used to analyze complex waves.

16. Improve the data analysis sections of each lab above using computer technologies.