The introductory general physics laboratories are ideal environments in which to introduce modern, automated (computer interfaced) instrumentation and the analysis of uncertainty in experimental and theoretical results. The results to be measured and calculated in this project are angular accelerations of metal disks rotating on air cushions. Having purchased one complete instructional unit with funds raised by pre-engineering students, faculty have determined that experimental measurements and theoretical predictions of angular accelerations agree to within about 0.4%.This project is resulting in the acquisition of five additional instructional units to be used in all general physics laboratories at the University of St. Thomas and the introduction of automated instrumentation and computerized data analysis in these laboratories. Computer results of the data analysis supplement (not replace) the students' own calculations.NSF grant funds are being matched with funds from non-federal sources.
