Freshman Physics Project

这个项目正在改造力学入门实验室，让新生在学习力学基础的同时，获得真实的电子仪器经验。该项目是一个广泛的课程开发的一部分，伴随着从季度日历到学期日历的转变。新的实验是在以前使用的气轨、光闸、气浮旋转设备和PC计算机上增加动态力传感器、声纳测距仪、数字读出频闪灯、示波器和数字读出函数发生器。新的实验包括非线性系统、小振荡、旋转物体的静态和动态不平衡，以及刚体绕一点旋转。包括软模、自发对称性破缺和混沌等新课题。其中包括对电子仪器的介绍，包括示波器的使用，以及波形、触发、信号调节和计算机与测量系统的集成的研究。新的实验室呈现了更丰富的重要机械现象，更有趣，更好地为学生在现代工业或研究环境中就业做好了准备。美国国家科学基金会的拨款与非联邦来源的资金相匹配。

This project is transforming the introductory mechanics laboratory so that freshmen students gain experience with realistic electronic instrumentation while learning the fundamentals of mechanics. The project is part of an extensive curriculum development accompanying a change from a quarter calendar to a semester one. New experiments are adding dynamic force transducers, sonar rangers, digital readout strobe lighting, oscilloscopes, and digital readout function generators to the air tracks, light gates, air-bearing rotational apparatus, and PC computers previously used. The new experiments include non-linear systems, small oscillations, static and dynamic unbalance in rotating objects, and rotation of rigid bodies about a point. Such new topics as soft modes, spontaneous symmetry breaking, and chaos are being included. Folded in are an introduction to electronic instrumentation including use of oscilloscopes, and study of wave forms, triggering, signal conditioning, and the integration of computers into the measurement system. The new lab presents a richer variety of important mechanical phenomena, is more interesting, and better prepares the students for employment in a modern industrial or research setting.NSF grant funds are being matched with funds from non-federal sources.