PHYSICS 176
GENERAL CLASS INFORMATION
Fall 2026


Lab Section              Section :                                 Day                            Time     

Instructor: …………………….

Contact info: ...............................
Office hours: ...............................

Lab Coordinator (and not your Instructor): Dr. V. Petkov
Contact info: e-mail: <petko1vg@cmich.edu>; phone: 3395

Office hours: by arrangement   

Course Description
In this course, you will perform experiments illustrating important principles of thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics, and atomic physics. These experiments may help illuminate topics covered in lecture courses dealing with the same subject matter. However, the purpose of this course is not simply to supplement the lectures.
The primary objective of the course is to help you develop experimental skills, learn to organize and analyze experimental data, present your results in written laboratory reports, and draw scientifically sound conclusions based on your observations and analysis.
The experiments and their schedule are listed below. There is no required textbook. Instead, detailed descriptions of the experiments have been prepared for you and posted as Adobe PDF files on the course website: http://people.cst.cmich.edu/petko1vg/phy176/
It is your responsibility to download and carefully read the description of each experiment before coming to the laboratory.

Lab Reports
Each student must submit a report for every laboratory experiment. In many cases, you will be able to complete the entire report during the class period and submit it to your instructor before leaving. A complete report generally includes an introduction, data sheets, data analysis, calculations, plots, and conclusions.
If you do not submit your report at the end of the class period, you must upload it to Blackboard within the time frame specified by your instructor.
Lab reports will be graded on a 10-point scale and normally returned during the next class period.

Deadlines
Completed lab reports are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday of the same week in which the experiment was performed, unless your instructor specifies a different deadline.
Late lab reports will receive zero points.

Course Format
This course will be taught face-to-face. If circumstances require it, the course may temporarily shift to an online asynchronous format.

Laboratory Procedure
When you enter the laboratory, please hang up your coat and store your book bag in the designated area.
Before beginning the experiment, show your instructor the introduction you have prepared and listen carefully to any specific or general instructions. You may then begin the experiment.
Do not leave the laboratory until you are certain that all necessary experimental data have been properly collected. In most cases, you will finish collecting data before the end of the class period. You are then expected to use the remaining time to complete your analysis and report and, whenever possible, submit the report before leaving.
You are expected to leave your workspace and experimental setup as you found them. Your instructor may deduct points if your workspace is left in poor condition. You may also be held responsible for damaged or missing equipment at your workstation, so please have your setup checked by your instructor before leaving.

Lab Partners
Unless the course is oversubscribed, you may work with one lab partner. Groups of three may occasionally be permitted when the nature of an experiment requires or justifies a larger group.
Although you may collect experimental data with a partner, each student is responsible for completing and submitting the work required by the instructor.

Use of Blackboard
Blackboard requires appropriate hardware, software, and internet connectivity. The use of a desktop or laptop computer with a reliable internet connection is strongly recommended. Mobile devices and wireless connections may be less stable.
Students should verify that their computer and browser meet Blackboard's current technical requirements. For details, visit Blackboard Browser Check page

Attendance
Attendance is mandatory.
Laboratory experiments can be made up only when an absence is due to serious circumstances and the laboratory instructor is notified promptly. If you know in advance that you will be unable to attend a laboratory session, contact your instructor as soon as possible.

Exams
There will be two examinations:

Both exams will be laboratory practicals. You will be asked to perform and interpret measurements and carry out calculations similar to those encountered in previous laboratory experiments.
The exams will be open notes and open lab reports and will be two hours long. Each student will work independently and submit an individual exam.
Important: The end-of-term exam will take place during final examination week at the usual day and time at which your laboratory class meets, unless otherwise announced.Grades
Your final course grade will be based on three components:
  1. Weekly laboratory reports — one-third
  2. Midterm examination — one-third
  3. End-of-term examination — one-third

Historically, the average grade in this course has been in the B range.

Academic Integrity and Use of AI
Students are expected to follow Central Michigan University policies on academic integrity. All work submitted for this course must represent your own understanding and effort.
You may use generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT) to help you understand general concepts, improve grammar and clarity, or obtain assistance with software and data-analysis procedures. However, AI may not be used as a substitute for your own experimental work, data analysis, calculations, or scientific reasoning.In particular:

Working with your lab partner and discussing the experiment with classmates is encouraged. However, unless instructed otherwise, each student must prepare and submit their own lab report.

Students Requiring Accommodations
Central Michigan University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you have a disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please register with the appropriate university office and provide your instructor with your accommodation letter as early as possible. Students are encouraged to communicate with the instructor regarding approved accommodations so that appropriate arrangements can be made for laboratory activities and examinations.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination
Central Michigan University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. It encourages diversity and provides equal opportunity in education, employment, all of its programs, and the use of its facilities. It is committed to protecting the constitutional and statutory civil rights of persons connected with the university. Students who experience or witness discrimination, harassment, or bias can directly contact the Central Michigan University Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity (OCRIE). Location: Bovee University Center, Suite 306, Phone: 989-774-3253.    

                      

PHYSICS 176 (Dow 202)
Lab Schedule
Fall 2026

 

Lab pre-reading: Experimental data error analysis

 

Dates        Lab
Week 1     Exp. 1:  Ideal Gas Laws and Heat Engine
Week 2     Begin Exp. 2:  Direct Current Measurement and Ohm's Law
Week 3     Finish Exp. 2: Direct Current Measurement and Ohm's Law
Week 4     Exp. 3:  Kirchhoff's Laws
Week 5     Exp. 4:  Attenuation and Phase Shift
Week 6     Exp. 5:  Transient Response of an RC Circuit
Week 7     Exp. 6:  PN Junction and Diodes

Week 8: Mid-term exam

Week 9      Exp. 7:  The Charge of the Electron
Week 10     Exp. 8:  Magnetic Force on a Current Carrying Wire
Week 11    Exp. 9:  Faraday's Law of Induction
Week 12    Exp. 10:  Geometrical Optics: Reflection of Light
Week 13    Exp. 11:  Geometrical Optics: Refraction of Light and Lenses
Week 14    Exp. 12:  Physical Optics: Diffraction, Interference and Polarization of Light
Week 15    Exp. 13:  Radiation, radioactivity and isotopes

Examinations week:  End-of-term exam