Experiments in Mechanics, Wave Motion, and Heat Laboratory Manual for PHYS: 1511, PHYS: 1701, & PHYS: 1611
Edition: 9
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 342
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$56.00 USD
This laboratory course introduces students to fundamental principles of physics through hands-on experiments using standard laboratory instruments and computer-based measurement tools. Topics include measurement techniques and data analysis, kinematics with constant and accelerated motion, projectile motion, and Newton’s Second Law. Students also investigate energy, work, and momentum through experiments involving collisions, conservation laws, and rotational motion, including angular momentum and moment of inertia. The course continues with studies of simple harmonic motion, oscillations, and waves, including sound and standing waves in different media, as well as selected experiments in thermodynamics such as heat transfer and specific heat.
GLOSSARY OF LABORATORY INSTRUMENTS
COMPUTER USE GLOSSARY
M1: INTRODUCTION TO LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS
Part I: Measuring Average Velocity With a Stopwatch and a Ruler
Part II: Measuring Position Versus Time With Two Photogates
Part III: Approximate Measurements of Instantaneous Velocity
M2: KINEMATICS WITH CONSTANT ACCELERATION
Part I: A Falling Object
Part II: Using the Motion Detector
Part III: Uniform Acceleration on an Incline
M3: PROJECTILE MOTION
Part I: Characterize the Projectile Launcher
Part II: Target Shooting #1: Predicting the Range
Part III: Target Shooting #2: Predicting the Launch Angle†
M4: ACCELERATION, FORCE, AND NEWTON’S SECOND LAW
Part I: Constant Force and Newton’s Second Law
Part II: Time-Dependent Force and Newton’s Second Law
Part III: Friction - Part III is intended only for courses taken by physics and astronomy majors
M5: CONVERSION AND CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
Part I: Initial Measurements
Part II: Velocity and Kinetic Energy
Part III: Inelastic Collision and Conversion of Kinetic Energy to Gravitational Kinetic Energy
M6: COLLISIONS IN TWO DIMENSIONS
Part I: Inelastic Collisions (Two Pucks with Different Masses)
Part II: Elastic Collisions (Two Magnetic Pucks) †
– Part II requires another lab session
M7: MOMENT OF INERTIA
Part I: Determine the Moment of Inertia
Part II: The Parallel-Axis Theorem
M8: CONSERVATION OF ANGULAR MOMENTUM
Part I: Angular Momentum and the Moment of Inertia
M8.5: CONSERVATION OF ANGULAR MOMENTUM IN COLLISIONS
Part I: Setup the Experiment and Analyze Movie
Part II: Working with O1 (Initial Center of Mass of Double Puck)
Part III: Working with O2 (Single Puck Center of Mass at Collision)
M9: SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION
Part I: Preliminary Experiments
Part II: Initial Displacement with Zero Velocity
Part III: Glider Mass and Simple Harmonic Motion†
Part IV: Energy in the Simple Harmonic Oscillator†
M10: UNDERDAMPED OSCILLATIONS
Note - this Experiment is intended only for courses taken by physics & astronomy majors.
Part I: Measure the Spring Constant
Part II: Oscillations Damped by Air
H2: THE MECHANICAL EQUIVALENT OF HEAT
Part I: Measure Joule’s Equivalent
H3: SPECIFIC HEAT
Part I: The Specific Heat of Brass
Part II: The Specific Heat of An Unknown Metal Sample
Part III: The Specific Heat of Water
OS1: INTRODUCTION TO OSCILLOSCOPES I
Part I: Measuring a Periodic Signal
Part II: Measuring the Phase Shift Between Two Signals
Part III: Measuring a Non-Periodic Signal
W1: THE SPEED OF SOUND
Part I: The Speed of Sound in Air
Part II: The Speed of Sound in Metal Rods
Part III: The Speed of Sound in Water†
W2: STANDING WAVES IN AIR AND VIBRATING STRING
Part I: Standing Waves in Air
Part II: Simple Vibrating String
Part III: Hybrid Vibrating String†
W4: SOUND WAVES IN AIR
Part I: The Speed of Sound in Air
Part II: Standing Waves in Air