Physics of Engineering 1-2

The Physics of Engineering 1-2 H course is offered to junior and senior students on the engineering pathway at Bioscience High School. The course will introduce the basics of quantitative physics concepts not addressed during the introductory freshman physics course. This course will align with the overall mission and principles of Bioscience High School, and prepare students to take a senior, project-based engineering course.

This course will cover in dept Kinematics, Newtonian Mechanics, Energy, Electricity, and Magnetism, and to a lesser extent Thermodynamics and Waves. Each chapter and topic will be associated with a lab activity.

A partial list of lab investigations includes:

Acceleration: For an object experiencing constant acceleration, using photogates and or video analysis to find a general relationship between the position of an object and the acceleration of the object. Express this relationship using words, motion maps, and mathematical models.

Newton’s 2nd Law: Conduct a series of experiments to determine a general relationship between the net force on an object, the object’s mass and the object’s acceleration. Express this relationship using words, motion maps, force diagrams and mathematical models.

Centripetal Acceleration: For an object moving in uniform circular motion, conduct a series of experiments to determine a general relationship between the net force on an object, the object’s mass, the object’s speed and the radius of curvature. Express this relationship using words, motion maps, force diagrams and mathematical models.

Conservation of Momentum/Collisions: Conduct a series of experiments to determine, for both elastic and inelastic collisions, a general relationship between the momentum and kinetic energy of a system before and after a collision. Express these relationships using words, motion maps, force diagrams and mathematical models.

Work and Energy lab and practicum: Part I: Hooke’s Law Lab, Part 2: Lab practicum-Use the conservation of energy principle to predict the correct height to hang a mass-spring system in order to drop the mass so that it just touches the top of a raw egg without breaking it.

Coulomb’s Law Lab: Conduct a series of experiments to determine the relationship between the charge on 2 objects, the distance between the objects, and the electrostic force on the objects. Express this relationship using words, pictures, and mathematical models.

Ohms Law Lab: Conduct a series of experiments to determine the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance for a simple dc circuit. Express this relationship in words, pictures, and mathematical models.

Electric Power Lab (Specific Heat/Conservation of Energy/Thermodynamics): Conduct a series of experiments with resistors submerged in water to determine the relationship between current, voltage, resistance and power for a simple dc circuit. Express this relationship in words, pictures, and mathematical models.

Series and Parallel Circuit Labs: Conduct a series of experiments to determine the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance and power for the following types of circuits: series, parallel, and complex. Express these relationships using pictures, words and mathematical models.

RC circuit Lab: For a simple RC circuit, conduct a series of experiments to determine the relationship between capacitance, resistance, voltage and time. Express this relationship in words, pictures, and mathematical models.

Additional Lab Activities on Work, Energy, Heat/Power, Magnetism, Electromagnetism, LR circuits and LCR circuits, electromagnetic waves.

Lab Investigation reports must be completed using an acceptable structure, such as Claims, Evidence and Reasoning, and must include the following components.

Purpose This is a statement of the problem to be investigated. It provides the overall direction for laboratory investigation and must be addressed in the conclusion. This statement should explicitly list the dependent and independent variables.

Apparatus A list of all laboratory apparatus and equipment used in the investigation, along with a detailed diagram to illustrate the configuration of the apparatus, should be included in this section. See example at right. The variables to be measured should be clearly pictured.

Procedure Procedure should be a list of easy-to-follow steps. This section should identify and name all experimental variables and briefly describe how the independent variables are controlled. Someone who was not present during the lab should be able to understand how the experiment was performed, and repeat it, by reading your procedure.

Raw Data Data consists only of those values measured directly from the experimental apparatus.
No values obtained by way of mathematical manipulations or interpretations of any kind may be included in this section of the report (e.g. no averages). Data should consist of as many trials as judgement would indicate necessary (usually 3 trials each of 7 or more independent variable values). The units for physical measurements (kg, m, s, etc.) in a data table should be specified in column heading only.

Evaluation
of Data This section should include all graphs, analysis of graphs, and post laboratory calculations (such as averages, derived quantities….). In general, this section is a bridge (or process) between raw data and the conclusion. Generally you will graph your data and, from that graph, create mathematical models which describe the relationships between the variables in the experiment.
In this section, state each formula, and if necessary, identify the symbols used in the formula. If repetitive calculations are to be performed, substitute only one set of data into each formula and then construct a table of values for all additional calculated values. Be certain that your final calculated values are expressed to the correct number of significant figures. Do not show your arithmetic calculations.

Sources of
Error Create a list of all sources of error. Be specific, don’t just say human error, or timing error, but explain in more detail.

Conclusion This section is generally the MOST IMPORTANT. You must do the following:
a) State the relationship between the variables identified in the purpose in a clear, concise English sentence.
b) When a mathematical expression can be derived from graphical analysis, write it, making sure to include the appropriate units. State the meaning of the slope and discuss the significance of the y-intercept (when appropriate).
c) Describe any new terms that arise as a result of your evaluation of data.
d) Discuss the significance of the lab and how it relates to previous chapters or labs. When your results differ from what is expected, provide a plausible explanation.
e) Suggest future improvements you would recommend if this lab were to be repeated.
Notes/
raw data Attach any raw data or notes to end of lab