PHY 110 Introduction to Physics

Syllabus Spring 2006

 

 

 

Instructor:         André Wehner, Olin 111, Ph. 238-5919, e-mail wehner@centre.edu,

                        Office Hours: M-Th: 4-7, T, Th, or by appointment.

 

Class Time:       12:40-1:40 M-W-F, Olin 128

 

Study session:   Tu 7-10pm, Olin 108, staffed with a tutor.

 

Lab Time:         Section a: Tu 8:00-11:00, Section b: Tu 12:40-3:40, Section c: We 12:40-3:40; Olin 010

                       

Text:                 College Physics, 5th edition, Wilson and Buffa. Optional: Student Solutions Manual

               

Grading:           3 tests @ 10% (50 points) each = 30%

8 quizzes @ 2% (10 points) each = 16%

Final 20% (100 points)

Laboratory 14%

Homework 20%

Tentative grading scale: 90 = A-, 80 = B-, 70 = C-, 60 = D

 

 

Course Description

 

This course serves both as a general education introduction to physics and as the first semester of a two-semester algebra-based Physics for the Life Sciences class. In the first part of the course, we will focus on two cornerstones of classical physics: mechanics (Ch. 1-7) and electricity (Ch. 15-18). In the second part we take a brief look at atomic, quantum, and nuclear physics (Ch. 26-30) which are among the most important theoretical advances that have taken place in the twentieth century and which describe physical phenomena at the microscopic level. The course consists of the following equally important activities:

 

a) Understanding the concepts involved

b) Developing your quantitative (problem-solving) skills

c) The laboratory experience.

 

The purpose of the lectures is not to re-read the textbook in class but to focus on strengthening your understanding of the concepts. Hence it is very important that you read the relevant sections from the textbook before you come to class (see schedule below) to be able to actively participate in class.

 

I expect you to be prepared for class and to participate in class every day – being prepared means at the very least doing your homework, reading the assignment, and looking over notes from previous classes.  Please let me know in advance if you must be absent for a scheduled college activity. Three unexcused absences will result in a lowering of the grade. It is your responsibility to make use of the resources available to help you do well in this course.  I encourage you to visit me in my office, attend the study sessions, read material in advance, and form study groups with other students in the class. Ultimately, your grade will depend on the amount of study time and effort you put in on this course – it is not likely that you will do well if you do no more than show up for classes and cram for the tests.  The course requires scheduled time each night for homework and study – if you don’t do a few problems each day, you may not be doing enough.

 

Assigned homework is listed below and will be collected on the announced dates. It will be spot-checked and scored based on the following scheme: 1 point if you attempt a problem, 2 points if you provide a complete solution (not just the answer from the back of the book), and 0 for not doing a problem. Late homework will not be accepted (of course, exceptions can be made for emergencies).

 

You will need a scientific or graphing calculator for this class, and you will need to know how to operate it. For tests, you will be provided with a TI-30 calculator. You will practice how to use the TI-30 in one of the first labs.

 

I assume that you have “basic math proficiency.” This includes a working knowledge of college algebra and trigonometry (but not calculus). If you need a math review, come and see me during my office hours early in the term.

 

The laboratory is an integral part of this course as you get to apply some of the concepts that you learn to some realistic situations. You must satisfactorily pass the lab in order to pass the course. Our program has gone to great lengths to make these labs an interesting and worthwhile experience for you. If you work on these labs sincerely I can guarantee you that it will be a very rewarding experience. Not to mention that you will be tested on the lab material on the exams.

 

There will be three tests and eight quizzes during the course of the semester. The questions on the tests and quizzes will closely mirror the assigned homework problems and the laboratory exercises. They are “closed everything”. If you have to miss class for a valid reason (proof required!), you will be allowed to make up a quiz/test. If you know in advance you will have to miss a quiz/test, you should make arrangements to take it early. The solutions you present must be complete, coherent, and well-organized. You must show all work for full credit.

 

In cooperation with the disability resource center, reasonable accommodation will be provided for students with disabilities. Please meet the instructor during the first week of class to make suitable arrangements.

 

There exists a students solutions manual and an accompanying website for our textbook.

 

This syllabus can be found at http://web.centre.edu/wehner/courses/p110f06.htm .

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule

 

Day

Chapter Covered

Homework

 

 

 

2/3

1

 

2/6

1

 

2/8

2

Ch. 1: 17, 18, 21, 37, 42, 51, 63, 65, 74

2/10

Quiz 1 (Ch. 2); 2

 

2/13

3

Ch. 2: 16, 17, 21, 22, 39, 43, 53, 55, 67, 77, 85

2/15

3

 

2/17

3

 

2/20

Quiz 2 (Ch. 3); 4

Ch. 3: 9, 16, 33, 37, 43, 47, 57, 77, 81, 87

2/22

4

 

2/24

4

 

2/27

Quiz 3 (Ch.4); Review

Ch. 4: 15, 27, 35, 39, 49, 54, 61, 69, 87, 95

3/1

Test 1 (Chs.1-4)

 

3/3

5

 

3/6

5

 

3/8

Quiz 4 (Ch. 5); 6

Ch. 5: 9, 13, 17, 43, 45, 55, 67, 69, 75, 88

3/10

6

 

3/13

7

Ch. 6: 8, 13, 21, 38, 50, 53, 67, 76, 89

3/15

7

 

3/17

7; Review

Ch. 7: 9, 15, 16, 26, 47, 51, 80, 84, 87, 97

3/27

Test 2 (Chs.5-7)

 

3/29

15

 

3/31

15

 

4/3

Quiz 5 (Ch. 15); 16

Ch. 15: 9, 29, 33, 34, 37, 57

4/5

16

 

4/7

17

Ch. 16: 13, 23, 25, 47, 57, 59

4/10

17

 

4/12

18

Ch. 17: 9, 15, 35, 37, 45, 52, 65, 72, 81

4/14

Quiz 6 (Ch. 16-17); 18

 

4/17

20; Review

Ch. 18: 9, 11, 18, 22, 27, 32

4/19

Test 3 (Chs. 15-18)

Ch. 20: 77, 79, 80

4/21

27

 

4/24

27

 

4/26

Quiz 7 (Ch. 27); 28

Ch. 27: 7, 21, 26, 29, 61, 69, 70, 72

4/28

28

 

5/1

29

Ch. 28: 9, 11, 32, 34, 42, 45

5/3

29

 

5/5

Quiz 8 (Ch. 28); 29

 

5/8

26

Ch. 29: 6, 13, 18, 23, 35, 41, 47, 79

5/10

30?

Ch. 26: 23, 27, 29, 33, 45, 47

 

 

 

5/15p

Final (comprehensive)