TO DO list for PHYS 106

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• Before taking data, engage in significant exploration of your equipment/apparatus. Although these experiments involve some concepts that may be new to you, they commonly rely upon principles that you have already learned. Use your text! Use your life experience! Use the sorts of physics that you already know in order to think through how your equipment is intended to operate, and its operating limits, to plan your measurements, and to consider what can be learned.


• One of the important "habits of work" that we expect you to adopt is that taking the time to write in the spaces provided in your procedural, as you work! Writing should an integrated part of your work in any lab. A real lab notebook is not something produced "after the fact"!


• Continually work to make your discussion of errors more specific and "professional" - that is, make sure that your arguments are plausible. Try to estimate the magnitude and direction of skew you might expect to be associated with any sources of error you might suggest, or perform tests in order to track down the magnitudes and signs of various sources of error. Also, try to incorporate at least some numerical work on uncertainties (in order to quantify your level of confidence in your results - which you should demonstrate that you have tried to make as high as possible!).


• Try to work at least a few pen & paper exercises each day. Some students consider these to be more entertaining than crossword puzzles, but I consider this to be, literally, exercise.


• The IWU Catalog states that, "Ideally, all courses will make approximately the same total demands upon a student’s time: ten to twelve hours per week per course (including scheduled class meeting time needed to complete all assignments) as a rule of thumb during a regular semester."

Tentative Schedule:

Week	Reading Schedule (After working through each section of the text; always read the associated Worked & Guided Problems)	Hands-on Grapplings Complete lab readings before arriving for lab! Come to lab with written responses to pre-lab questions!	Pen & Paper Exercises ("Questions & Problems")	Computer Exercises	Links
1	Jan 8 Discussion about Integration Read Vol 2: 5.3-5.6 about: Action at a Distance Origin of Inverse Square Laws? Field maps The Superposition Principle Jan 9 Celebrate National Static Electricity Day! Jan 1 0 A pre-term conceptual assessment + calculus review + question about professional interests	Read the Lab Grading Guidelines In-class Demos = We can use an electroscope to explore induced charge, transfer of charge, division of charge, and the inverse square law. We can also show Einstein's photoelectric effect Lab 1: Come to lab having already written your responses to pre-lab questions in the Flux Concept Discovery Lab (developed by students in PHYS 301, as a gift to you)	For your practice, Vol 2 Ch 5: 53, 54, 55, 57, 63, 78, 79 Homework due Jan 14 Any 3 of these: Vol 2 Ch 5: 48, 58, 60, 68, 90, 126, 92, 94, 96, 106, 122 (4 more of these will be due Jan 22) Visit the Physics Help Clinic!	Pre-term = Download Mathematica! Intro to Mathematica Slope & Derivative Constant Velocity Constant Accel End of Week: Explore Vector Fields	Science moves forward as a large, shared conversation, so register NOW, for free access to Physics World Or, you might be interested by the use of high voltage for electrical special effects in movies
2	Jan 13 Vol 2: 5.5-5.7 Monopole vs. Dipole and Multi-pole "Pseudo-continuous" charge distributions (integration with change of variables) Jan 15 Vol 2: 5.7-6.3 Dipoles in externally applied fields Field strength is represented, in a Field Line (FL) construction, by (# FL/Area) cutting a surface (i.e., the field line density) PUZZLER: What use is a simple loop of charge (the "pocket electroscope")? Integration revisited (change of variables) Jan 16 In lab, let's chat about one of our IWU Physics grads, who works for the U.S. Department of Energy Jan 17 Review & Integration A day for discussions aimed at catching up! Applying 12000 Volts to Jacob's Ladder raises a new question: why does breakdown always begin where the wires are closest together?	Lab 2 = Introduction to Electrical Soldering In lab, you'll also have the opportunity to explore a leaf electroscope, which uses a suspended ultra-thin metal foil as an indicator. What Electrostatic Demonstrations do you propose? We use the word field to mean something that is a function of position. You can use phyphox for barometer readings, exploring atmospheric pressure as a field. To extend the field idea, you can set up a low-frequency acoustic standing wave and have folks walk around the room to find nodes and antinodes. You can use a Van de Graff generator to prompt further thinking about electric fields, explore field lines, and reinforce our discussions	For your practice, Vol 2 Ch 5: 80, 82, 97, 101, 103, 105 Homework due Jan 22 4 more of these: Vol 2 Ch 5: 48, 58, 60, 68, 90, 126, 92, 94, 96, 106, 122 Visit the Physics Help Clinic!	Explore Electrostatics, Visually	(Related topics: doping of semiconductors, ion implantation, Bragg peak, proton therapy, ...)
3	Jan 20 No Class Today Jan 22 Vol 2: 6.2-6.4 Gauss noticed the net # FL exiting a closed surface is proportional to the charge inside FLUX is defined, locally, in terms of the product of the field component flowing out of an infinitesimal surface area, times the area of that element. Gauss concluded the net flux of the field through a closed surface must be proportional to the charge enclosed. It's the Law! (Gauss's Law) Jan 24 Dr. Isakovic = Special Guest Lecturer! Vol 2: 7.1-7.4 From Contour Plots of Ski Resorts, to Potential Energy "Landscapes" (Abstract Topological Surfaces)	Lab 3 Required Pre-lab Video: Potential and Field using the iOLab Device Lab 3 Procedural to annotate A game to die for, called "Would it kill you to come to class on time?" (The answer is no, but coming late could, as the safety warnings come first!) On Wednesday (who's that day named after?), ... we'll look at a device invented by a Victorian researcher with the last name Oudin (notably similar to a name from Norse mythology, Odin or Woden). This is often mistaken for a hand-held Tesla Coil If we, say, charge Oudin's Wand to 15000 Volts, why do we only see an electrical strike when the separation between the tip and a grounded conductor is a few centimeters or less? What happens if you try to store more energy in a capacitor than it can handle? (Boomski!) Similar breakdown occurs with a Jacob's Ladder. We use the word voltage to mean Potential Energy per Charge. That is, when you push a lot of LIKE charges together, you have to do work: you are storing ENERGY in that configuration. Much like a drunk on a pedestal, it will tend to take any path available to lower its energy, so WATCH OUT!	For your practice: Ch 6: 29, 30 Homework due Jan 26: Any 5 of these: Ch 6: 21, 23, 24, 26, 32, 35, 40 (Piazza discussion recommended)	Mathematica is your friend: Try Simulating Electrostatics End of week: Try Simulating Electric Potential and Simulating Electric Fields	...begin by grappling with some questions: ONLY check the answers (below) after you've contributed your own thoughts!
4	Jan 27 Vol 2: 7.4-7.6 Potential Energy vs. Electric Potential Jan 29 Vol 2: 7.4-7.6 Finding E from V Polarizable matter In-class homework problem solving (in small groups) Jan 30 In lab, let's chat about one of our IWU Physics grads, who works at National Electrostatics Corp Jan 31 Vol 2: 8.1-8.3 Cost-Benefit analysis: introducing Capacitance Self-limiting processes & reliable sources (e.g., batteries) Parallel and Series Combinations	Lab 4 = Motion of charged particles in a uniform electric field: (using electrostatic deflection to measure the charge-to-mass ratio of an electron) We'll also explore Oscilloscopes Common meters do not measure charge or electric field directly; here, we introduce voltmeters and, for time-varying voltage signals, the oscilloscope. (Add a line to your résumé: basic test & measurement hardware) For professors of a certain age, Lissajous figures are just an excuse to play Pink Floyd music in class, ...and to use phrases like "commensurate" and "incommensurate" temporal periods ...and to argue that the golden ratio is the "most" irrational number, ...all of which suggests that you should be doodling in math class We can also demonstrate "Franklin's Balls," where pith balls suspended between metal plates act a bit like a doorbell, which continue even after turning off the power supply (as you've stored energy in a capacitor): you learn not to stick your tongues across such plates (as that's how communicable diseases are spread).	Practice: Ch 7: 29, 34, 35, 36, 46, 50, 53 Homework due Jan 30: Any 5 of these: Ch 7: 54, 55, 58, 60, 70, 92, 101 (Piazza discussion can help to prepare you for Exam I)	Background on Graphical Analysis Push through our Igor Pro Tutorial Add a line to your résumé: Data Visualization & Analysis using Igor Pro (Printouts due at the end of this week's lab period)	Their site claims that their accelerators utilize "the world's most durable high voltage charging system based on metal pellet charging chains" ...How do you think this approach might work?
5	Feb 3 Exam I spans both lecture and lab materials dealing with charge, linear charge density, surface charge density, volume charge density, force, field, flux, and voltage Feb 5 Vol 2: 8.3-8.5 Dielectric constant Gauss's law inside dielectrics Feb 7 Vol 2: 9.1-9.5 Circuits, Fields, Resistance & Ohm's "Law" Feb 8 Explore, and enter into conversation! Can you write a one-paragraph project plan by 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22?	Lab 5 = A student posed this question Import the procedural into OneNote and annotate in advance	Homework due Feb 6: Any 2 of these For your practice: Ch 8: 31, 32, 79 Homework due Feb 10: Any 4 of these: Ch 8: 26, 30, 36, 40, 48, 51 (Piazza discussion recommended)	Try using Mathematica for simulating RC circuits	Share photos with me, that reflect your engagement, and I will add them to this display! Can you see yourself joining an IWU Physics and/or Engineering project? You'll get Extra Credit if, after conversation, you can write a one-paragraph plan!
6	Feb 10 Vol 2: 9.1-9.5 Circuit Energy & Power Annotate your readings! Practice really helps! Feb 12 Vol 2: 10.1-10.5 Basic Circuits Practice really helps! Feb 13 In lab, we should chat about one of our IWU Physics grads, who has worked across the semiconductor industry Hers is yet another great story! Feb 14 Vol 2: 10.1-10.5 Multi-loop Circuits & Power Practice really helps!	Lab 6 = Modeling the Action Potential of Neurons (Physics is an old word that means "nature", and we are interested in general principles that apply across an awesome range of situations!) Import the procedural into OneNote and annotate in advance Explore! Enter into conversation about joining an IWU Physics and/or Engineering project! You'll get Extra Credit if, after conversation, you can write a one-paragraph plan!	For your practice: Ch 8: 31, 32, 79 Homework due Feb 10: Any 4 of these: Ch 8: 26, 30, 36, 40, 48, 51 For your practice: Ch 9: 22, 23, 37, 41, 43 Ch 10: 22, 35, 48, 79 Homework due Feb 14: Any 3 of these: Ch 9: 24, 27, 31, 46, 54, 56 *_AND_* any 3 of these: Ch 10: 23, 27, 69, 72, 77 (Piazza discussion recommended)	Try using Mathematica for performing Circuit Analysis	From the illumination used for the Statue of Liberty, to many major sports facilities, for every rare earth metal halide lamp you come across, a cut goes to the Anderson Physical Laboratories, founded by IWU Physics grad Dr. Scott Anderson, who helped fund this building. (Accordingly, CNS room C101 is named the Anderson Auditorium) Each year, we name an IWU Scott Anderson Scholar in Physics
7	Feb 17 Exam II spans both lecture and lab materials dealing with voltage and current, in parallel and series circuits containing batteries, capacitors, and resistors Feb 19 Vol 2: 11.2-11.7 DC motor demonstration Then whence cometh magnetism? - A cautionary tale of over-imbibing "the juice" Charge flow & Einstein's Relativity: ...the origin of Magnetic Fields Feb 21 Vol 2: 11.2-11.7 Unification: Current & Field Flux Moving charges in fields DEADLINE IMMINENT: If, after conversation with a faculty mentor, you write a one-paragraph plan (to be submitted for the JWP Student Research Conference), you'll get Extra credit	Too much power, and a resistor will BURN! Too much power, and a capacitor will EXPLODE! You’ve now seen that energy will be dissipated (as heat) in a resistor, but can be stored in building up the electric field in a capacitor, and — next — will learn that it can also be stored in building up a magnetic field in an electromagnet. Those three elements are the keys to the entire course! Our game will always be to follow the energy. At times, though, we can simplify complex problems by introducing effective system parameters (such as B, or L) Lab 7 = The Current Balance Import the procedural into OneNote and annotate in advance Troubleshooting is a skill we hope you will embrace	For your practice: Ch 11: 11, 24, 25, 26, 32, 37, 39, 47 Homework due Feb 23: Any 5 of these: Ch 11: 27, 28, 43, 46, 57, 61, 68, 79 (You learn Physics by working on Physics, but you don't have to work alone: Piazza discussion recommended)	Try using Mathematica for simulating Particles in Magnetic Fields Wolfram|Alpha Demos	Key Videos: Principles of Einstein's Special Relativity Magnetism is always a consequence of Einstein's Relativity: Only after watching the SERIES of videos above can you begin to appreciate why:
8	Feb 24 Please, before coming to our gathering on Monday, read: Vol 2: 12.1-12.6 Come to class with questions regarding: Sources of B Current Loops & Spin Dipoles & Torque Feb 26 Vol 2: 12.1-12.6 Amperian paths Ampere's Law Solenoids & Toroids Feb 27 How can you possibly measure a mass as small as 0.000000000000000000000000000000911 kg? That's your task this week in lab! Feb 28 Vol 2: 12.1-12.6 Electromagnetic Fields due to currents & discrete moving charges	This week, you'll need to set up a Zotero account Be sure you record your login credentials, as you'll need those for what we'll do in class! Article of Interest Log Readings Lab 8 = The Mass of the Electron (measured by deflection in a magnetic field)	For your continued practice: Ch 11: 48, 92 Ch 12: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 19 Homework due Mar 2: Any 6 of these: Ch 12: 16, 18, 24, 30, 32, 34, 35	MIT Magnetostatic Visualizations	It all comes back to fundamental principles: This week, you'll hear about our partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Lab
9	Mar 3 Self-consistent storytelling requires we consider both the energy and the momentum of the fields Vol 2: 13.1-13.5 Time-varying B fields The Elihu Thomson apparatus, and magnetic braking demonstrations Mar 5 Exam! Feel free to tape your left hand behind your back While Calculus is integral to Physics, note that Ampere's Law simplifies problems with lots of symmetry Mar 7 Vol 2: 13.1-13.5 When Nature reveals that some collection of variables "wants" to remain CONSTANT ...does that suggest that you're dealing, at some level, with a "CONSERVED" quantity? Is it possible that our in-class demonstrations are somehow connected to one of the familiar Conservation Laws? What's your favorite example, e.g., of Conservation of Angular Momentum? Our mantra, for this course, has been "Follow the Energy!" If you try to change the Magnetic Energy at some location, that requires an energy flow over the course of some time	Lab Meeting 9 = Magnet Demos + Faraday Induction	Homework due Mar 2: Any 6 of these: Ch 12: 16, 18, 24, 30, 32, 34, 35	MIT Faraday Demos Data Acquisition using DataStudio	You've gotta watch this prototype Mag Lev system for the Hyperloop: As we increase the rate of change, induction heaters can melt boules of metal, And the levitation avoids contamination by eliminating any crucible: (Metallic glass can be made using this method, by "splat cooling" onto a rotating wheel)
10	Mar 10 Seek out opportunities for intellectual / cultural engagement! Did you ask for a tour, over our Spring Break, of someplace working on cool projects? There really are a lot of cool things going on around you. Mar 12 As noted on the syllabus, you are REQUIRED to add links of interest to the shared folder with your name on it, in our Zotero group (which already contains some pretty cool stuff!) What might you add? — You are encouraged to "skim the headlines" at sites such as those listed here Mar 13 ...Whenever you come across people who are doing stuff you find cool, try connecting with / following them on LinkedIn. Learn how they got from their starting point in college to where they are now. These are the kinds of contacts you need in your LinkedIn!! Mar 14 Seek out opportunities for intellectual / cultural engagement! Again, you are REQUIRED to add links of interest to the shared folder with your name on it, in our Zotero group (which already contains some pretty cool stuff!) What might you add? — You are encouraged to "skim the headlines" at sites such as those listed here	Analyze all options on this PhET simulation: Click to Run	Check out the app to the left	MIT Maxwell Wave Equation Demos	Here's a way to show off, over break: ...start at the 9:20 timestamp on this video Why is light slower in glass or water? (From the Sixty Symbols YouTube channel)
11	Mar 17 Vol 2: 14.2-14.5 Inductance & Magnetic Energy Mar 19 Exam! Covering Faraday's Law and Magnetic Energy Prep for Mar 21 March 21 is Fourier's birthday Watch the video at right, to celebrate! Mar 21 Vol 2: 14.2-14.5 Circuits with Inductors	Lab 10 = Teach yourself AC Circuits	Homework due Mar 18: Any 2 of these from Ch 13: 23, 55, 79 *_AND_* any 3 of these: Ch 14: 19, 28, 36, 38 Homework due Mar 24: Any 6 of these: Ch 14: 46, 53, 55, 57, 59, 64, 68 (Piazza discussion recommended)	Try using Mathematica for modeling RLC Circuits	Fourier's Trick: breaking complexity into simple waves (Videos from the Sixty Symbols YouTube channel take time, but taking Physics is rewiring your brain!)
12	Mar 24 Vol 2: Ch 15 AC circuits Semiconducting materials & Semiconducting devices Mar 26 Vol 2: Ch 15 Reactance: Energy can be DISSIPATED or it can be STORED RL series circuits & RLC series circuits Mar 28 Vol 2: Ch 15 Resonance & Power in AC circuits	Consult your text re: Generalized Impedance! Lab 11 = Pick your adventure: Explore elements of the following: AC Circuits, and/or Rectification & Filtering Circuits (Add a line to your résumé: basic DC & AC circuits, rectification & filtering)	For Ch 15 practice: 2, 3, 4, 8, 15, 17 Homework due Mar 28: Any 8 of these: Ch 15: 22, 23, 24, 27, 32, 34, 35, 39, 55, 72	Try using Mathematica for modeling RLC Circuits	Try switching from a resistor to a capacitor or an inductor: The rotating vectors at bottom left are called PHASORS; they keep track of where we are in each cycle, for I and V
13	Mar 31 Exam! Focusing on Ch 15 (AC Circuit analysis using phasors): For components in series, the current phasors are the same. In parallel, the voltage phasors are the same. Once such commonalities are established, use "ELI the ICE man" and Pythagoras! (Make sure you are caught up on your homework!) Apr 2 Vol 2: 16.1-16.4 Self-consistency & Maxwell's Equations Apr 3 In Lab, we should chat about one of our IWU Physics grads, who has spent her career working with NASA Apr 4 Vol 3: 1.2-1.3, 1.5 Non-Imaging Optics Extreme Light-Matter Interaction Metrology: Photonic Measurements for Laser-based Manufacturing	Lab 12 = Index of Refraction Read "The Story of Your Life" (esp. pp. 15-18, 20-24, for pre-lab discussion)	For your practice: Ch16: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 Homework due Apr 4: Any 6 of these: Ch16: 71, 76, 77, 80, 84, 85, 88 For your practice: Ch16: 33, 36, 42, 46, 49, 50, 51, 56, 59, 61, 63, 64, 65, 67 Homework due Apr 6: Any 5 of these: Ch16: 90, 92, 93, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 101, 102 (Piazza discussion recommended)	Driven Oscillator Coupled Oscillators	How to see without glasses:
14	Apr 7 Vol 3: 2.3-2.4, 2.7-2.8 Are Photons moving into glass at all like Skateboards moving into grass? Geometric Approximations for Imaging Optics Apr 9 Worksheet on sign convention for Lens Maker's Formula and Thin-Lens Equation Vol 3: 3.1-3.3 Wave-Particle Duality: Physical Optics... & Photonics Apr 10 In Lab, let's chat about one of our IWU Physics+Engineering dual-degree graduates, whose title is Director, Boeing Avionics. What is Avionics? Electronic systems and equipment specifically designed for use in aviation and aerospace. Apr 11 Come to class prepared to share something that "might be cool" that you have posted to our shared Zotero group Vol 3: 3.1-3.3 Diffraction, from x rays, to Single Photons, to Davisson's Matter Waves Apr 12 Extra credit: Interview at least two presenters at the JWP Research Conference	Lab 13 = Geometric Optics	Reminder: your FINAL problem-solving homework was due Apr 6: Any 5 of these: Ch16: 90, 92, 93, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 101, 102 (Piazza discussion recommended) Homework due Apr 11: Add 5 articles of interest to the shared folder with your name on it in our Zotero group (Discussion recommended: I am here to serve as your Agent!)	Wave Motion Wave Addition	Sometimes, information carried by light appears to be lost:
15	Apr 14 Vol 3: 4.1-4.3 "Everything in the future is a wave, everything in the past is a particle." — Lawrence Bragg What’s your reaction to this quote? Diffractive Optical Elements (Of Frogs & Holograms) Apr 16 Exam! Electromagnetic Waves carry Energy & Momentum Densities Index of Refraction Phasors in Optics: Le Tour de Interferénce Apr 18 "All information is physical" — Rolf Landauer What’s your reaction to this quote? Vol 3: 4.1-4.3 Physics as Information Theory: keeping track of the flow of energy & momentum (e.g., the momentum of a photon)	Lab 14 = a two-part adventure: Diffraction, and then Interference (Add a line to your résumé: geometric optics, image formation, diffraction & interference)		Try using Mathematica for simulating Diffraction	Remember, Rolf Landauer put forth that all information is physical: I'm interested in ways to recover information that appears to be dissipated during transmission. Wanna play? If we are clever enough, there can be ways of recovering "lost" information:
16	Apr 21 Wave-Particle Duality: Transport of Energy & the invention of the photon Transport of Momentum & the Abraham-Minkowski "Paradox" Apr 23 Expect a 25-minute post-term assessment FINAL FINAL EXAM: 2 Hours! Thereafter: Article of Interest Log Readings	Add polish to your lab notebook. Come to the lab for any work needed.			Fun sites: How does electricity find the "Path of Least Resistance"? The Learning Circuit Scullcom Hobby Electronics Basic Electronics Digital Electronics Tutorials The Signal Path Open Tech Lab TheBenHeckShow Steve Mould

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