PHYS 1205: Physics Laboratory II

• Apply experimental methodology to investigate physical phenomena.
• Set up and use laboratory equipment to demonstrate certain aspects of mechanical physics.
• Apply the theory of physics to experimental situations.
• Explain differences between observed and expected results in experiments.
• Set up and analyze simple electric circuits.
• Determine the decay constant for RC curcuits.
• Experimentally determine the speed of a beam of electrons in a cathode ray tube.
• Experimentally determine the focal lengths of concave and convex lenses and mirrors.
• Use interference patterns to determine the wave lengths of various types of waves.
• Acknowledge the presence of background radiation and understand methods to reduce exposure.
• Understand how electric and magnetic fields are detected and where they are present.

• Lab 1: Interference Phenomena
• Lab 2: Refraction in Prisms
• Lab 3: Thin Lenses and Mirrors
• Lab 4: Electric Circuits
• Lab 5: Capacitors and the RC Circuit
• Lab 6: Deflection Tube
• Lab 7: Magnetic Field in a Solenoid
• Lab 8: Hydrogen Spectrum
• Lab 9: Radioactive Decay

Students will be required to print their own laboratory manual prior to their first day in class.  Other supplies will be provided during the lab. For safety reasons, students must wear closed shoes. No open-toed shoes or sandals are permitted in the labs. Students are expected to supply their own 5:1 sheets of graph paper for each lab that requires it. Quarter-inch squared paper is not acceptable for graphs.

Any edition of the textbook used in PHYS 1203 will be helpful for reference.

1. Serway, R. A., & Vuille, C. (2018). College Physics (11th ed., Vol. 1). Cengage Learning.

Note: If students do not already have this textbook, they may wish to contact Enrolment Services to obtain a copy at student@tru.ca or 1.800.663.9711 (toll free in Canada), 250.852.7000 (Kamloops, BC), and 1.250.852.7000 (International).

Students will receive a final mark out of 100. This mark is determined on the basis of lab attendance and on any lab assignments, tests, or final examinations that are assigned. All lab assignments and the final exam, if given, are at the discretion of the lab instructor. For safety orientation reasons, students are required to attend the first lab session. Students cannot miss more than two lab sessions, or an incomplete grade will be assigned.