Re: [Phys-l] Simulated Labs for General Physics Course

["Dr. Richard Tarara" <rtarara@saintmarys.edu>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Lulai" <plulai@stanthony.k12.mn.us>

> Separately, simulations might be used to prep for the actual lab work. 
> One could ask why there are differences btn the simulation and lab data, 
> what assumptions might the simulation make for the sake of simplification.

The lab simulations you'll find at the site below (all recently updated) 
were originally designed for just this purpose.  Based on (and mostly using 
images from) the labs we do here, these simulations allow the collection of 
raw data for analysis.  Initially envisioned as a pre/post lab tool, these 
can also be effectively used for students who miss a lab and then the 
time/equipment is not available for a physical make-up lab.  In a rare case 
where the equipment is NOT available at all and the instructor sees value in 
the experiment itself, a lab could be run entirely as the simulation, but I 
don't really recommend that.

Rick

Richard W. Tarara
Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Indiana

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Free Physics Instructional Software
www.saintmarys.edu/~rtarara/software.html
New 'Hi-Def' versions being posted as completed.
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