Freshman Physics Project

本项目旨在改造力学入门实验室，使大一学生在学习力学基础知识的同时获得实际电子仪器的经验。该项目是广泛的课程开发的一部分，伴随着从一个季度的日历到一个学期的变化。新的实验增加了动态力传感器、声纳巡护器、数字读出频闪照明、示波器和数字读出函数发生器到空气轨道、光门、空气轴承旋转装置和以前使用的PC计算机。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，以及刚体绕点旋转。诸如软模式、自发对称破缺和混沌等新主题也被包括在内。其中包括电子仪器的介绍，包括示波器的使用，波形的研究，触发，信号调理，以及将计算机集成到测量系统中。新实验室展示了更丰富、更有趣的重要机械现象，并为学生在现代工业或研究环境中的就业做好了更好的准备。美国国家科学基金会的拨款正与来自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.