Laboratory exercises for an introductory physics course: Puttingthe experiment back in the lab

摘要

Colgate University has responded to student criticism by launchinga long-term campaign to restructure and revitalize the introductoryphysics curriculum. the new introductory sequence is three semesterslong, and begins with a one semester noncalculus study of modern physicsorganized about the theme: “Why do we believe in atoms? How do weknow?” The second semester is organized about an astrophysicaltheme: “Where are we in the Universe? How do we know?” Tosupport the second-semester astrophysical theme, four new laboratorieshave been developed. The laboratory design is described in some detail