General Physics Labs (1100 & 2100/2150) and Core Physics Labs (PHYS 1005)
This webpage is being continuously updated. Please continue to check back for any updated versions of lab manuals.
Introduction to The Physics Laboratory
Please read this document before you attend your first lab. It was originally intended for in-person labs but it is also a useful point of reference for online versions throughout the semester.
In-person Lab Schedules, Spring 2024
General Physics 1100 Lab Schedule (updated 4/9/24)
General Physics 2100 and 2150 Lab Schedule (updated 2/15/24)
General Physics 1005 Core Physics Lab Schedule (updated 4/9/24)
Video introductions to some of the in-person labs
Here is a browsable set of videos, made to help introduce you to some of the in-person labs and the physics they explore. Videos will be added so keep checking back for further updates. Videos are organized in three folders: Physics 1100/1150, PHYS 2100/2150 and PHYS 1005.
Lab Manuals, General Physics 1100 and Calculus-Based General Physics 1150
1. Introduction to Laboratory Measurements [in-person version]
2. Measurements and Acceleration of Gravity [in-person version]
3. Vectors [in-person version]
4. One dimensional and two dimensional motion with constant acceleration [in-person version]
5. Newton's Laws of Motion [in-person version]
6. Centripetal Force [in-person version]
7. Linear Momentum and One-dimensional Collisions [in-person version]
8. Mechanical Work and Energy Conversion into Heat [in-person version]
9. Conservative Force System [in-person version]
10. Static Equilibrium [in-person version]
11. Conservation of angular momentum (rotational kinematics and dynamics) [in-person version]
12. Archimedes' Principle [in-person version]
13. Simple Pendulum and SHM [in-person version]
14. Standing Waves [in-person version]
Lab Manuals, General Physics 2100 and Calculus-Based General Physics 2150
1. Radioactivity [in-person version]
2. Coulomb's Law [in-person version]
3. Equipotential Surface Plotting [in-person version]
4. Ohm's Law [in-person version]
5. DC Circuits - Kirchhoff's Rules [in-person version]
6. RC Circuits [in-person version]
7. Faraday's Law of Induction [in-person version]
8. Uncovering a hidden RCL circuit (in-person) / RL circuits (online) [in-person version]
9. RLC Series Circuit and Resonance [in-person version]
10. Reflection and Image Formation by Mirrors [in-person version]
11. Refraction [in-person version]
12. Lenses [in-person version]
13. Interference and Diffraction [in-person version]
14. Diffraction Grating [in-person version]
Lab Manuals, Core Physics PHYS 1005
Expt 1: Introduction to measurement and error [online version]
Expt 2: Constant speed & graphs [online version]
Expt 3: Speed and constant acceleration [online version]
Expt 4: Range and the dynamics of free fall [online version]
Expt 5: Newton's Second Law [online version]
Expt 6: Kinetic and Potential Energy [online version]
Expt 7: Simple pendulum [online version]
Expt 8: Heat and temperature [online version]
Expt 9: Calorimetry and Latent Heat [online version]
Expt 10: Reflection by a plane mirror[online version]
Expt 11: Refraction[online version]
Expt 12: Electrical measurements [online version]
Expt 13: Radioactivity [online version]