Physics Labs
There are three fully equipped labs:
General Physics Lab
This laboratory space is dedicated for use by the General Physics and Physics for
Scientists and Engineers students. Basic introductory labs in a broad range of areas
are available for students working in pairs. Emphasis is placed on careful data acquisition
(manual as well as computer-based) and data analysis, in addition to obtaining better
understanding of various physical phenomena.
Several stations are available to allow for 16 or more students working in pairs. Experimental apparatus in all areas of introductory physics is available. Computer-based interfaces are available for use in many experiments for which manual data acquisition is impractical. Air, gas, and vacuum spigots are available at several points in the room, in addition to AC power and a DC power network.
A variety of research quality equipment and resources are available for student use, as well as easy access to a small machine shop. Students have access to a computer with advanced computer-interface software, 3D computer-aided design capabilities, and industry-standard mathematical computation software. The optical tweezers apparatus is housed in this lab, as is a laser diffraction-based particle size analysis machine.
The lab portion of the classroom is used for a one-semester, directed inquiry course for non-majors. Students, working in small groups, are guided through steps that help them gain intuition and a framework for understanding a particular area of physics. This is followed by a self-selected project in which they apply and extend their knowledge and then share their findings with their classmates.
This lab has six workstations equipped with computer-based data acquisition interfaces. Students have the equipment necessary for studying motion, thermal physics, optics, electricity, and more. Air, gas, and vacuum spigots are available at several points in the room, in addition to AC power and a DC power network. There is room for up to 30 students in each lab section.