Laboratory Safety, Safety is the highest priority Read the “Safety in the laboratory” section of the lab manual before you go to the lab this week. Safe practices are mostly common sense. If you are worried about any procedure or piece of equipment, ask. You must be especially conscious of proper handling of radioactive materials. Review carefully the specific information on radiation safety the week before you do any lab requiring the use of radioactive sources. If your T.A. or instructor assess that you have not mastered essential safety issues, you will be required to review them before continuing with your experiment. Do not count on your lab partners for your own safety. (Any student offends this set of rules for the second time will not allow to enter the lab and will receive an “F” grade.) Posted on the lab entrance door

Deadline: penalties Deadline is deadline. TA will grant exception under acceptable circumstances. BUT be responsible!! At least, let your TA and me know immediately. Due time for pre-lab write-up: one hour before the first day of each new lab project. Due time for the first two lab-books (lab #1,and #2): 45 hours upon completing the lab. For the Thursday section, it will be 10 AM on Monday. For the Friday section, it will be noon on the following Monday Here are the penalties for "unacceptable" overdue. Overdue for pre-lab write up, 2 points (out of 5 points for the pre-lab write up). Overdue for lab note-book, 2 point per day (out of 10 points). Missing the pre-lab write up, first time (may be ok), second time (you have to see me), third time (fail the course). These are the uniform guidelines for all TA’s. I sincerely hope that we do not need them in this semester. Posted on the lab entrance door

Grade of Lab notebooks For each experiment, your lab book will be graded on a scale of 15 points: Pre-Lab write-up (5 points): see the orientation checklist for details The PreLab write-up should be done using a word processor, submitting your PreLab write-up in pdf-file format through Moodle one-hour before starting the new lab, printing out your write-up and pasting it in the lab book on a new blank page with your name, date, and experiment title clearly showing at the top. It can be 1-2 pages long. Organization (2 points) Title, Date, Purpose of Experiment Experimental details (labeled diagrams, equipment lists with model numbers) Explanation of procedure Neat graphs, clarity, references Data (6 points – first half semester; 3 points – second half semester) Thoughtful measurement process Careful technique – quality of data Clearly labeled data – use tables as appropriate Correct units and significant figures Clearly assigned errors /uncertainties (always included for raw data)

Analysis (0 points – first half semester; 3 points – second half semester) Computations recorded (you may paste in spreadsheets, making sure that columns are clearly labeled) Clear and correct units Titles and labeled axes on graphs Correct treatment of uncertainties and significant figures Conclusions (2 points) Clear statement of results with uncertainties Discussion of results Questions from lab manual answered For the first half of the semester (first set of three two-week labs), we will stress that students learn the sources of errors of each acquired datum. The second half of the semester (second set of two three-week labs), we will add on the concept and importance of data analyses. Grade of Lab notebooks

Analysis (0 points – first half semester; 3 points – second half semester) Computations recorded (you may paste in spreadsheets, making sure that columns are clearly labeled) Clear and correct units Titles and labeled axes on graphs Correct treatment of uncertainties and significant figures Conclusions (2 points) Clear statement of results with uncertainties Discussion of results Questions from lab manual answered For the first half of the semester (first set of three two-week labs), we will stress that students learn the sources of errors of each acquired datum. The second half of the semester (second set of two three-week labs), we will add on the concept and importance of data analyses. Grade of Lab notebooks Posted on the lab entrance door

Let me show you one example of very good lab book Use the first page for the “Table of Contents” of the entire lab book

Spec BK 2708 multi-meter

Spec BK 2708 multi-meter (I) e. g., Meter reading: mV (steady) Resolution: 0.1 mV to mV Accuracy: ±(0.25% +1 digit) ±[123.4* *(0.1)] mV = ±0.4 mV If there are changes in reading during the course of observation, from to mV, then you must take this variation in your experimental errors.

For your convenience, Spec BK 2708 multi-meter has been organized in a file of “Multimeter datasheets”. There are five sets of binders in the lab.

Mistakes Cross them off carefully. Do not destroy the page(s)!

Correct Data

Can you point out the improvements needed in this part of lab book?

Can you point out the improvements needed in this part of lab book?

Any suggest of improvement on this data presentation?

Any suggest of improvement on this data presentation? Axis-labels are too small!

Any suggest of improvement on this data presentation?

If the errors are too small, what should you do?

Any suggest of improvement on this data presentation? If the errors are too small, what should you do? Note: the sizes of errors are equal (or smaller than) the sizes of the symbols.

What is wrong in this data presentation?

What is wrong in this data presentation? Missing units

What is wrong in this data presentation?

What is wrong in this data presentation? Axis-labels are missing.

A better data presentation, suggestion for improvement?

Data presentation better one, suggestion for improvement? Use different symbols for In(Total) and In (Slow)

Can you point out the needed improvements in this data presentation?

What is wrong in this data presentation? Unit for V?

What are missing in this data presentation?

Data presentation

Data presentation in color is a good idea. However, if you only have a B/W printer, which one is better?

Data presentation Legend (essential for multiple data set) Clear axis labels with units! Title: Graphs in a lab book should have a clear title. Use different symbols for different data sets (colors optional). Appropriate choice of scale. Graph should fill as much of the area as possible.