Physics 122 Laboratory
Electricity and Magnetism (and one mechanics lab)

Instructor: Dr. Hank Yochum
Tuesday 2:30 pm - 5:20 pm
or
Thursday 1:30 pm - 4:20 pm

How to contact me:

Please consult the web page for lab announcements, homework assignments, and other useful information.  I am likely to email you more this semester as prelabs and labs and such are updated on the webpage. 

Feel free to call whenever you need assistance. I tend to check my voicemail and email frequently, so if I am not around, I will get in touch with you as soon as possible. One of the benefits of going to a small college like Sweet Briar is the opportunity to actually interact with your professors, take advantage of this in all your courses. 

Text:
No lab book.  But bring your physics text from lecture.  If you are not taking lecture, check a general physics book out from the library.

Office Hours:
Monday 10:30 - 11:30
Wednesday 10:30 - 11:30
Thursday 10:30 - 11:30
Drop by whenever though.
I am generally around the department, so if you are looking for me, look in the physics department whether or not I am having office hours.

Course Goals:
    To increase understanding of physical laws applying to electricity and magnetism
    To develop physical curiosity
    To enhance problem solving and critical thinking skills
    To enhance investigative and observational skills
    To develop an appreciation for logical qualitative and quantitative reasoning
    To have fun with physics

Preparation:
You are expected to have working knowledge of algebra, trigonometry, and the physics from 101 or 103.

Attendance:
Coming to lab is mandatory.  If for some reason you cannot come to lab, see me BEFORE you are absent. 

Homework Sets:
Some labs will have homework.  The HW assignment will be posted on the class web page as needed.

I encourage you to work with your peers on the HW. Speaking with your classmates is an excellent way to learn. However, this does not mean you should copy homework or lab work!

Prelabs:
Prelabs will be posted on the lab web page.  There may be times where you have a prelab to do but do not yet have the lab write-up.  For these cases the prelab will consist of using your text book from lecture to answer questions that will pertain to lab. 

Lab Reports
For some labs (like the first one), you will write a formal lab report (Help on writing a lab report).  But many labs will not require this.  Those that do not require formal lab reports will be styled like those labs from last semester.  In general, the lab report will be graded much more rigorously than the other labs.  A formal lab report is worth more points than a lab completed in class with no report.  Don't say I didn't warn you!

Quizzes:
From time to time I will give a short lab quiz to make sure the class is understanding the material.  We will most likely have around 3 such announced quizzes, including a cumulative final lab quiz. 

Grades:
pre-lab..................................................10 %
in lab assignments or lab reports.............55 %
lab homework.......................................15 %
lab quizzes.............................................20 %

Your lab is a separate 1 credit course independent of your lecture grade. However, what you learn in lecture will help in lab and vice versa.

Tentative Course Schedule:
subject to change...