Lab 3 Feedback

- Write formulas you use on each question template (e.g., PE = 0.5 * m * v²), as per Lab PPT slide 7

- DO A “REALITY CHECK” on your answers- In Q8 if you get displacement x to b e a very large value, for example 210 inches, you should think about the physical significance and realize there might be an error (we understand the examples may be very hypothetical, but you should still ask if your answer makes sense)

- Things that are not limitations: The physical model of the collision, the fact that you were given lab data instead of measuring them yourself.

- Please avoid inserting symbols (arrows, etc.) unless it is in the equation at the top of your sheet. 

- Please continue to use appropriate significant figures. For example, do not write 13856.32 lb/in², where 0.02 lb/in² equals to stress caused by a weight of 0.32 oz laying on a 1 sq.inch surface. You will drastically overestimate the accuracy of your work, especially on a structure like the T-P Bridge pier. Scientific notation may mask an unrealistic computed value (e.g., 2.3E-22 lbs), so be careful, or use common notation with an appropriate rounding and sig figs.

-For the potential energy, you needed to consider that each of the two legs of a pier can absorb some of the impact of the tanker (multiply by two in question 3). For displacement of the bridge, the legs of the pier move together and therefore you should not have accounted for a factor of two there (Do not multiply by two in question 2, but consider in question 5 that Pyield is per pier). The words “per pier” or “for both piers” were explicitly stated in each question at the top of the sheet, question 6 asked for EACH pier. For question 7 do not account for factor of 2. For each question, you had to specify which approach was correct for that problem (not just write down both) and highlight your answer.

- ~25% of all errors are with UNIT CONVERSIONS! Please be careful when applying conversion factors.

Other feedback and general comments:

 - We understand that in some cases you will need to think about the problem.  These labs are not meant to be just plug-in exercises.

- If you do not have access to Excel or a computer, the CAD lab and Korman building have resources available. OpenOffice Calc will also work with the templates.

- If you have been working in groups, consider switching your group members each week since some of you are making the same mistakes from week to week. You MUST turn in your own original work. Do not reuse work from previous semesters of this course.