ADVANCED LABORATORY HANDBOOK
WITH A SUPPLEMENTAL PROJECT LIST
FOR THE PHYSICS 322 AND 332 LABORATORIES
Ralph W. Alexander, Robert D. DuBois, Edward B. Hale, Don M. Sparlin
Department of Physics
University of Missouri-Rolla
Version: August 2002
Table of Contents
I. Overview of the Course..1
II. Goals for the Course..2
III. Project Stages..4
A. Team Formation..4
B. Project Selection..5
C. Project planning..6
D. Designing and assembling the apparatus..7
E. Calibration of the apparatus, acquisition of preliminary data7
F. Mid-term written Project Proposal and Oral Progress Report8
G. Acquisition of Improved/Final Data... 9
H. Data analysis and comparison with theoretical expectations ... 9
I. Final Oral and Written presentations of the project... 9
J. Cleaning up...... 10
K. Mistakes to avoid........ 11
L. Laboratory Notebooks...... 11
III. Grading...... 12
Appendix A. Preparation of Outlines, Proposals and Reports A-1
A. Outlines A-2
B. Mid-term Project Proposal A-3
C. Final Report...... A-5
Appendix B. Preparation of Oral Presentations B-1
1. Hints for planning a talk...... B-1
2. Hints for preparing a talk........ B-2
3. Hints for delivering a talk........ B-2
Appendix C. Criteria for Lab Notebooks..... C-1
LIST OF TABLES
Table I. Undergraduate Research Competitions2
Table II. Schedule of Laboratory Activities, due dates ...... 3
Table III. Grade Evaluation Form...... 13
Table IVa. Oral Report Evaluation Form (Practice Talk)... 14
Table IVb. Oral Report Evaluation Form (Formal Talk) 15
Table Va. Mid-term Written Report Evaluation Form 16
Table Vb. Final Written Report Evaluation Form 17
I.Overview of the Course
Physics involves interpreting physical phenomena using experimental data and mathematical models. Lecture courses are primarily directed at describing and understanding various phenomena and develop the necessary analytic skills in order to model them. To complement these skills and knowledge, laboratory courses are directed at developing skills in obtaining experimental data useful in testing theoretical predictions. In addition, laboratory courses teach you how to analyze and interpret these data and finally how to report your results in oral and written format such that others may benefit and learn from your studies.
Unlike typical undergraduate courses where a series of canned experiments are performed in order to develop basic experimental skills and to illustrate fundamental principles, in the Physics 322 and 332 Laboratories, you are required to plan, perform, analyze, and report on an experimental research topic of your choice. In this way you will develop additional technical and social skills similar to those that will be required in the workplace. NOTE NEW OPTIONS on attached sheet.
In outline, your task for this course consists of:
a) selecting a working group, or team, typically comprised of three students having similar interests and complimentary skills, e.g. a team comprised of three “computer jocks” or three “electronic whizzes” is undesirable.
b) identifying a research project of mutual interest for which the necessary equipment exists and which can be completed within a 15 week semester.
c) constructing/assembling/testing the experimental apparatus.
d) obtaining preliminary and final data upon which the midterm and final report are based.
e) analyzing and interpreting these data.
f) reporting your results, both orally and in written format at the middle and the end of the semester. The oral report is typically 30 minutes long (10 minutes/team member) followed by a question and answer period. The written reports are typically 10-20 pages of double spaced text with approximately an equal number of pages devoted to figures, data tables, references, etc.
Although the primary goal of these courses is to develop research skills, the projects performed in the Advanced Laboratory are typically entered in various undergraduate research competitions. These include the Fuller Seminar in the UMR Physics department, the Sigma Xi competition at UMR, the Opportunity for Undergraduate Research Experience (OURE) competition at UMR, and the Missouri Academy of Science (see Table I). You should keep these competitions in mind as you select your project. They provide excellent experience in reporting your accomplishments and are a notable addition to your résumé.
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Table I. . Undergraduate Research Competitions
Sponsor / Type of Presentation / Approximate Date / PrizesFuller Seminar, UMR Physics / 10 minute oral / January (tentative) / Top 3 or 4 receive award & cash prize
MO Academy of Sciences / 10 minute oral / Mid March (abstracts due end of January.) / Top 3 receive award and prize
Sigma Xi / Written / Mid March / Top 3 receive award & cash prize
II. Goals for the Course
You should have four goals for these courses.
The first goal is to learn, i.e., learn how to plan and perform research in order to achieve a certain goal or to answer a specific question; learn how to critically analyze your results; learn how to report those results such that others can recognize why they are important, how you achieved them, why they are valid, and what you learned.
The second goal is to improve. Everyone learns by making mistakes. The only way to avoid making mistakes is to do nothing. There is nothing wrong with making mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them. Don’t make the same mistake twice. (Find one that you haven’t made yet!) At the end of the course, a successful project can be summarized by “tried something, failed, tried again using a slightly improved method, got further but failed again, tried ..” The most important thing that you can learn from a project is “how to do it better the next time.”
The third goal is to have fun. Enjoy your project. If it goes badly, try to figure out why. Don’t get discouraged. Beat it into submission. Make it suffer rather than letting it make you suffer.
The fourth goal you should set for yourself is to achieve an A for the course. By properly selecting and planning your project, the only thing that will keep you from achieving an A is YOU. Work steadily toward your goal rather than putting things off until the end and hoping that everything will fall into place at the last minute. Have an “escape route” in case something breaks or the data doesn’t come at the last minute. Practice your oral presentations ahead of time rather than “winging it.” Go over a “rough draft” of your written reports with your professor or T.A. prior to submitting a completed version.
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Table II. .Schedule of Laboratory Activities
Fall Semester 2002
Week of / Tuesday / ThursdayAugust 26 / Introduction, tour department, form teams, evaluate projects / Literature search
September 2 / Literature search, master concepts / Project plan (20 pts) Lab books (25pts) due Collect apparatus
September 9 / Assemble apparatus / Proposal Outline due (20) Assemble apparatus, plan programs and techniques
September 16 / Calibrate apparatus, plan computer programs / First data, computer programs ready. Lab books (25,25)
September 23 / Proposal on Website (20) More data, improve techniques / Discuss progress of project (20) and Contribution (25 pts). Discuss content and style of Proposal.
September 30 / Collect data. Work on theory and analysis. / Proposal due (150 pts) Collect preliminary/ test/calibration data.
October 7 / Preliminary/calibration/test data due (20) Proposal returned / Practice Oral Presentations. (60)
October 14 / Oral Presentations. (90)
Poster Session (90) / Lab books (25,25) Website Posting (30) Written Report (150)
October 21 / Lab books returned. / Improved data
October 28 / Improved data, preliminary analysis. / Preliminary Abstract and Introduction due. (20)
November 4 / Begin final data collection.
Discuss progress of project. / Final data collection. Work on interpretation and analysis. Lab books (25,25)
November 11 / Preliminary Theory and Experimental Procedure sections due. (20) / Final data collection. Work on interpretation and analysis.
November 18 / Final data, interpretation and analysis. Lab books (25,25) / Final data. Final interpretation and analysis.
November 25 / Practice Oral Presentations (60) / Thanksgiving
December 2 / Final Oral Presentations (90) Poster Session (90) / Final Written Report (200), Lab books due (25), Friday 5:00pm
December 9 / Discuss Final Reports.(25) Website Posting (45) Clean up Laboratory / Clean up Laboratory (-50)
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III. Project Stages
These laboratories require (a) formation of a team, (b) selection of a project, (c) detailed planning of the project, (d) designing and assembling an apparatus to perform the project, (e) calibration of the apparatus and/or acquisition of preliminary data to test the apparatus, (f) submitting an oral and written proposal/project report, (g) collection final data, (h) analysis of the data and comparing it with theoretical predictions, and finally, (i) assembling a final report and giving an oral presentation of your findings. (j) A final requirement of the course is that each team clean up its particular work space and leave the laboratory in an orderly state.
A calendar with anticipated research schedules and deadlines for expected results at various stages of the project was given in Table II. Note the deadlines where portions of your grade will be assigned based upon your progress at these points.
Detailed information about each stage of the project follows.
A. Team Formation
During the first class meeting of both Physics 322 and 332, students will form into teams, typically consisting of three members. In Physics 322 teams are often formed from students who have worked together previously or are friends. In the second semester, teams will be designated by the instructor in order to reassign tasks and exploit particular abilities or strengthen skills in weak areas. For example, any student who was the “theorist” in Physics 322, may be assigned to be the “hardware specialist” in Physics 332. Although you may find that the teams assigned in Physics 332 may not have the tightly knit personalities or interests that you experienced in Physics 322, please remember that in the “real world” teams are assembled based upon abilities rather than on friendships.
Remember that the team concept is based upon exploiting particular interests and skills of its members. For example, one member’s primary effort can go into building the apparatus, while another can simultaneously focus on perfecting the data taking techniques and data analysis, while the third member might provide the theoretical support for the project. However, well-defined tasks and team communication are essential aspects of a successful project. Also keep in mind that whatever your primary task, you are expected to be familiar with all aspects of the project.
During the first class period, a tour of the department will be given in order to acquaint you with the members of our technical staff and the department’s research resources. This tour is to associate names with faces and to discover the protocol for submission of job request forms, use of the student machine shop, and other department facilities. For example, electrical circuits or mechanical parts to be fabricated must be described in writing on a Work Order Form, which first must be approved by your instructor, and then submitted to Mr. Deskin, the Laboratory Manager.
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B. Project Selection
The selection of an appropriate project is very important in the Advanced Laboratory. As in your career, an ideal project is one which interests you, one that is solvable within the time frame available, and one that meets or exceeds what has been done previously. A project needs to be selected before the third class period. In making the selection, keep your instructor informed.
Keep in mind that acquiring data and completing a project within one semester requires a well chosen project. Resist the temptation to tackle a project that is too difficult but remember that even an “easy” project requires intense work, continuous effort, and patience with your apparatus and with your coworkers. A successful project will provide a few brief moments of pleasure and satisfaction after weeks of hard work and considerable frustration.
A good project has both an “escape route”, i.e., a virtual guarantee that some meaningful data can be obtained and analyzed, and an “advanced level.” To achieve an “A” for the course normally requires completion of the “advanced level.” Minimal data with little or no theoretical analysis will earn a grade of “C”.
Some sources for selecting a project are given in Appendicies C and D of this handbook. The American Journal of Physics, The Taylor Manual and Melissinos’ Experiments in Modern Physics are also excellent sources for selecting projects. Keep in mind that the instructor’s primary concern in approving a topic is whether is appears to be achievable within one semester (a major factor being whether the necessary equipment is available or can be assembled rapidly), and whether the topic is an improvement over previous methods, i.e., automated or improved data collection methods applied to an established experiment qualify.
In selecting your project and seeking your instructor’s approval, keep the following questions in mind.
1) Is it interesting?
2) Is it new or novel or does it include a new twist on a previously performed experiment?
3) Can it be accomplished in one semester?
4) Is the equipment readily available or easily constructed?
5) Does it have an escape route?
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C. Project Planning
A Project Outline outlining the project, the anticipated goals along with the steps and time frame that the team envisions in order to achieve these goals, is due at the fourth class meeting. The outline will be discussed with the instructor who may require modifications. The modified outline will be attached to the work place and in the laboratory books in order to check progress during the semester. At mid-term the team and the instructor will discuss the project goals and a modified outline will be constructed. The final grade will be based upon the progress toward these modified goals.
Items to be covered in the Project Outline include:
a) project title
b) specific objectives of the project
c) allequipment required for the project and a source for each item
d) calibration or test procedures which will be used
e) data to be taken (be specific, i.e., don’t simply say “preliminary data”, say “measure beam current as function of beam energy and deflection voltage”. describe procedures to be followed)
f) a table providing a time schedule listing important milestones (be specific, do not simply use the calendar and topics provided in this handbook)
g) responsibilities of each team member (your “contribution to team” grade will be assigned based upon how important these responsibilities are and how well you performed them)
In planning your project, keep the following in mind.
1) Most important: Time frame. One semester does not provide any time for delay. Your primary goal should be to achieve preliminary data prior to midterm. Only after preliminary data is obtained and analyzed, can you evaluate whether things are going as planned and whether your overall goals can be achieved. Plan on devoting the first third of the semester to assembling and debugging your experimental apparatus, the second third to obtaining and analyzing preliminary data, and the final third to obtaining final data, analyzing it, and preparing your final reports.
2) Plan ahead. Start working on computer programs or thinking about theoretical models/analysis long before you require them. Construct any electronic circuits before they are needed. Prepare “final” copies of figures (data and apparatus) and tables as you go rather than waiting until you need them for the mid-term and final reports.
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D. Designing and Assembling the Apparatus
In designing and constructing the apparatus, keep the following in mind.
1) Constructing an apparatus requires several weeks. You cannot afford this delay before you begin collecting data. Improvise. The apparatus doesn’t have to look pretty; it only has to work. Don’t devote a lot of time assembling the apparatus before without knowing whether it will work as planned or what the unanticipated problems are.
2) Purchasing components also can take several weeks. If things have to be purchased, do so immediately once you are certain that they are required.
E. Calibration of the Apparatus and Preliminary Measurements
The second third of the semester should be devoted to calibrating the apparatus and/or obtaining preliminary or test data. Often, only after initial data have been measured and analyzed are “obvious” errors or difficulties discovered. It is essential that you have some initial results available to present in your mid-term report/project proposal. Also, at this time a final project goal(s) will be defined and agreed upon. These goals, and your final grade, will depend upon your preliminary results.
Students often ask “what does preliminary data mean?” Preliminary data are essentially test data which demonstrate that the apparatus is functioning properly or that the project goals are achievable or must be redefined. For example, if an apparatus is assembled with the goal of measuring the speed of light by bouncing a laser beam off a rotating mirror located across campus, preliminary data should demonstrate that sufficient reflected light is detected and that the deflection angle can be measured, i.e., is the angle larger than the detector resolution (which was measured) and is the spot size small enough that the angle can be measured accurately? Once these preliminary are obtained, a preliminary analysis must also be performed in order to see if the results make sense.
Remember that any apparatus must be confirmed to be working properly. Hence, preliminary data can also consist of “test” data where a well known quantity is measured. The “test” data results must agree with the established values within experimental uncertainties.
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F. Mid-term Written Project Proposal and Oral Progress Report
The purpose of a proposal is to allow those responsible for the expenditure of research funds to judge (a) whether the idea has merit, (b) whether it is achievable in a technical sense, (c) whether the investigators possess the skills and ability to perform the proposed tasks, and (d) whether the apparatus necessary for the project exists or can be constructed. Generally, all conditions must be met in order to grant the requested financial support.