Syllabus - University Physics I (PHYS 231N)

Instructor:                       Dr. Sebastian E. Kuhn, Professor of Physics
Oceanography and Physical Sciences Building, Room 0223 and
Nuclear and Particle Physics Research Facility, 1021 47^th Street
Phone: 683-5804     FAX: 683-5809     email: skuhn@odu.edu 

                                       Web: http://www.physics.odu.edu/~kuhn/

Required Textbook:         H.D. Young and R.A. Freedman, University Physics , 11th edition, Pearson/Addison Wesley, 2004.

                                         Physics 111/226231 Laboratory Manual, published by the Department of Physics

Optional Textbooks:        Similar books by Halliday and Resnick, Tipler, Fishbane
Schaum's Series Outline, McGraw-Hill

                                         Gonick and Huffman, The Cartoon Guide to Physics, Harper Perennial

Prerequisites:                   Calculus (MATH211), at least C-.

Grading Scheme:             Homework               25%
In-Class Quizzes      5%
Midterm Exams       20% (2x 10%)
Final Exam               30%
Laboratory               20% (Total grade of "F" for more than one unexcused absence)

Letter grades will be given at the end of semester ONLY

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Introduction

 

This is a one-semester course on the foundations of Physics: Kinematics, Dynamics, Energy and Momentum, Rotational Motion, Harmonic Oscillations and Thermal Physics. It is the first part of a calculus-based 2-semester sequence (231-232) in University Physics. Topics to be covered include:

- Measurements, Units and Vectors

- Linear Motion

- Motion in Three Dimensions

- Forces and Newton's Laws

- Kinetic Energy, Work, Potential Energy and Energy Conservation

- Collisions, Impulse, and Momentum Conservation

- Angular Momentum, Moment of Inertia and Torque

- Systems in Static Equilibrium

- Gravity

- Harmonic Oscillations

- Pressure, Temperature and Heat

- Thermal Properties of Matter

- First and Second Law of Thermodynamics

 

The purpose of this course is to introduce you to some fundamental concepts of Physics which build the foundation of all of Science and Engineering. The "Scientific Method" consists in conducting systematic, reproducible experiments and observations, analyzing and organizing the results, abstracting the important parameters and observables, and finally constructing models and theories about their relationships that lead to testable predictions. Physics is the most rigorous and fundamental example of this method. In this course, we will learn how to perform accurate measurements, describe the results in mathematical terms, and compare them to the predictions of models and Laws of Physics. We will also learn how to use these Laws to examine new situations and predict the numerical outcome of experiments (real or hypothetical - this is called "doing problems"). The power of Physics lies in the vast range of phenomena that can be explained, understood and predicted in terms of a relatively small collection of concepts and models.
To really see how powerful this science is, we will have to use some pretty advanced math (vectors, derivatives, functions like cos, sin and exp, integrals and the like - i.e., geometry, calculus and algebra!). We will develop some very abstract ideas (energy, momentum, force) that have precise meanings (as opposed to the loose everyday meanings we associate with some of these words). You will also have to "unlearn" some of the "obvious" things you thought you knew about the physical world and how it works. Finally, to demonstrate the relationship between the abstract concepts and models and everyday phenomena or technical applications, we will have to study a variety of examples and observations and solve problems.

 

Is this Course for YOU?

 

If you aren't fairly firm in math (calculus and algebra), this will be a very hard course to take. Make sure that you not only fulfill the prerequisite (Calculus I - Math 211), but that you actually have mastered most of the material of this course. If you haven't had much experience with abstract and geometrical reasoning, you will need to invest a lot of time doing extra problems, studying and getting help.
If you haven't had any Physics in high school or college before, you may be overwhelmed by the quite large amount of material we will cover. In that case, it might be a much better investment of both your time and your tuition dollars to take a conceptual Physics course (101/102) first, so you can get acquainted with the many phenomena and results of Physics without having to deal with the heavy mathematical machinery right away.
However, if you are fairly well prepared and ready to commit substantial time and effort to this course, you should be rewarded with a deeper understanding of the world around you (not to mention a reasonable grade). In that case, this course is definitely for you!
Note that you only have until the end of the first week of classes to withdraw with full tuition refund, and only one more week to withdraw with 1/2 tuition refund. It pays (literally) to figure out right away whether or not you plan to continue the course.

 

Some good advice

It is important for you to strive for an active understand­ing right from the beginning. This means that you should not just memorize the equations, but apply your new knowledge to solve problems. Don't let things slip - it's much harder to catch up later! It is very important that you do the homework problems (apart from their contribution to the final grade) and attend the recita­tion sections (where more detailed examples can be treated than in the lecture). Since physics is a science based on observations it is also very important to do the labora­tory experiments and to be well prepared for them.
This is not an easy course, but I hope you will find the material fascinating if you put in the required effort. I believe that an average student should budget about 15-20 hours a week for this course - the reward will not only be a good grade (no guarantees, though), but also the satisfaction that comes from a deeper understanding of the physical world around you.

Some ideas how you can spend up to 20 hours:

• Come prepared: read up in the book on the topics to be discussed in the coming lecture. That way, you will already know what to expect, you can concentrate on the important concepts (instead of jotting down everything I say), and you can come up with questions you want to get answered in the lecture.  1-2 hours
• Come to the lectures. They are not mandatory, but unless you are unusually bright (and have some extensive Physics background), you will not be able to separate the "really important" topics from the rest just by reading the book. Also, if you miss the lectures, you'll miss the quizzes which count towards the final grade.  3 hours
• Do the homework. Not only do you get credit for it, it is also the best preparation for the exams. For that reason, it is also a bad idea to mindlessly copy somebody else's homework (and it's against the law = honor code).  3-5 hours (that may fluctuate a lot)
• If you need help, go to the Physics Learning Center!  1-2 hours
• Take the lab work serious. Prepare ahead of time (at least read up in the book about the relevant concepts and read the lab manual) and try to do the experiments well (often there will be time to redo them with slightly different parameters). Of course, lab attendance is mandatory (you may not miss more than 1 lab unless you have a valid excuse - i.e., a medical emergency).  3-4 hours (including lab reports etc.)
• Independent study: You should try at least a couple more problems than given each week. Try to find challenging ones - if you get stuck, get help from the recitation section, the Learning Center or myself. Meet with other students (form study groups of 2-4 people) to discuss the content of the lecture and exchange ideas. (You may discuss the homework with other students, but you may not ask them for their complete solution.) Go to the library and read up on the additional literature. Of course, you'll also have to review the material for the exams.  1-3 hours
• Go to the recitation sections. They are mandatory anyway, but it is up to you to make them worth your while. Specifically, come prepared with a problem that you tried but had problems with, or questions about the material of the lecture, or requests for examples to illuminate specific concepts and equations. The recitation sections are there to help you with your understanding, not for the instructor to showcase his or her knowledge (or introduce a fixed amount of additional information). If you have any complaints or misgivings about your recitation section, see me immediately.  1 hour
• Go to the office hours. The TA's, recitation section instructors and myself are glad to help you with any question (preferably about Physics!) or get your feedback, and we are quite flexible as when and where to meet.  1 hour

Lectures

 

The lectures (3 times 50 min. MWF) will introduce and motivate new concepts. I will derive important results, demonstrate experiments and solve examples. Lectures are not strictly mandatory, but highly recommended. During about one lecture every week there will be a short quiz given in class. The quiz will test your understanding of the important concepts introduced that week, and will be graded. The combined results from these quizzes will make up 5% of your final grade.
Important Note: This semester, we will be using an electronic in-class "Personal Response System" for the quizzes. Each of you will bring his/her own "clicker" (which you will have to buy at the ODU bookstore for $30 - there is a $25 rebate available from the textbook vendor and you can use the "clicker" throughout your college career at ODU). You must activate your "clicker" (see PHYS231 website for instructions). You must bring your own "clicker" to class every lecture and make sure it has fresh batteries. See me immediately if you lose your "clicker" or if it doesn't seem to work.

 

Exams

 

There will be 2 midterm exams of 50 minutes each in class, and one 3-hour final exam (also in class) covering all of the material. Bring writing paper, pen and pencil (the latter only for diagrams!), a ruler and a calculator, and a stapler. I will hand out a sheet of useful formulas (so you don't have to memorize them in gory detail). No books, notes and other material may be brought to the exams. Make sure that you will be able to come at the scheduled exam times. I will of­fer alternate dates only to people with a legitimate reason for missing an exam. If you know (or could have known) that you will have to miss an exam ahead of the scheduled date, you must inform me beforehand. In case of a sudden emergency, you may also in­form me up to 48 hours afterwards. It is your responsibility to keep up with all deadlines. Make sure you follow the spirit and letter of the honor code!

 

Homework

 

Doing the homework problems is very important (it is also a good way to study for the ex­ams). We will use "Mastering Physics" which allows you to submit your solutions online and get immediate feedback. More details will be posted on our website.
Homework due dates are firm - it is useless to try and persuade me to accept late homework. (The only exception are prolonged medical problems - please contact me as soon as possible if this applies to you). There is nothing wrong with doing the homework plenty ahead of time if you know you won't have time close to the deadline. Finally, you may miss one homework set and still receive full credit (100%) for the final grade (i.e. , your lowest homework grade - which could be zero - will be excluded from the final grade).
 
All problems should be solved algebraically first, on a piece of paper. Only as a final step, replace all symbols with the appropriate input values and enter the results in "Mastering Physics". Note: The input values given by "Mastering Physics" may differ from those in the book and can be randomized for each student individually. Make sure you use the proper input values provided for you and enter all results with the required precision.
 
Here is some more important advice (also for exam problems):

• Is the result supposed to be a vector or a scalar? In the former case, you must use vector symbols (boldface or arrows) and write down all components (or magnitude and direction). Never add vectors by simply adding their magnitudes - you have to add them component by component.
• Nearly all numerical results have units - leaving them out is a mistake! You should derive the correct units of the final answer by entering all input parameters with their proper units and then calculate the resulting unit. Compare your result with the units the answer should have, according to the definition of the quantity you calculated. (This is a very helpful cross check to make sure your answer is correct). Always use SI units only; if the problem gives quantities in other units, convert them to SI first.
• It is a common mistake to start a problem by punching in numbers into your calculator. It is always better to use algebraic transformations as far as they will get you. In other words, your final answer should be first expressed in terms of symbols for the input parameters, then each symbol should be replaced by a number (with units! - see above) and only then should the final numerical answer be obtained (with units!). That way, if you make a mistake, you can trace it back. Also, this approach makes sure you don't omit important parts, and on the other hand it will show you which information you really need to solve the problem (sometimes more information is given than actually needed, and sometimes it looks as if something is missing, but the algebra shows you really don't need it).

 
My interpretation of the honor code requires that each of you attempt their own solution to the homework problem sets. You may not copy or in any other way use the final or near-to-final write-up of a class mate (nor show yours to others). However, you may discuss the homework with your class mates and ask for hints, as long as you use only blackboards or other non-permanent means for writing.
 

Laboratory (see schedule; all labs are in OCNPS Room 0138)

 

This is a very important part of the course. The topics treated here may sometimes occur a little bit earlier than in the lecture or require additional material, so it is important to come pre­pared. (However, we have tried to minimize the time lag between lab and lecture). Also, bring all necessary items (calculators, graph paper, rulers, lab instructions etc.).
Please note the following rules:

• Read the assigned experiment(s) in the lab manual BEFORE the lab begins and bring all required items. On occasion pop quizzes are held to ensure that the students have read the assigned pages in the manual.
• Attendance is mandatory. You will fail the whole course if you miss more than one experiment unexcused. It is the responsibility of the student to inform their instructor of any absence and to arrange for a make-up of the work to be missed.
• The lab reports should be prepared according to the instructions/questions in the Physics 231 Lab Manual. In addition, your lab instructor will discuss the format for your lab reports and their grading procedure.

 

Recitations

 

These sessions are used to present examples and applications, to work selected assigned homework (after you have turned it in) and other problems, and, equally important, to answer your questions. Doing sample problems is a very good way to really master a concept - you cannot learn physics pas­sively. Use the recitation sections to your advantage - they are not meant to be mini-lec­tures, but rather depend heavily on student involvement. Don't hesitate to ask even "stupid" questions - you will be surprised how many of your fellow students have the same ques­tion but didn't dare to ask. Taking an active role in the recitation sections will go a long way to help you get good grades in the exams.

 

Learning Center

 

The Physics Learning Center, located in room 142 OCNPS, is a place where students can get together to work on their homework and get assistance, if needed, from physics faculty and grad students. No appointment is necessary! Students in any introductory class are encouraged to drop by the Learning Center for help on homework, lab, lecture, other course material, or just for a place to work while in the physics building. The Physics Learning Center will be open all week during normal business hours, and some evenings. A staff member will be on duty to help students for about 20 hours per week. A staffing schedule will be posted on the door and on the web at: http://newton.physics.odu.edu/Learning. Students are encouraged to use the room to work together on their assignments, even when a physics staff member is not available for tutoring. Please note: The Physics Learning Center will be open starting the second week of classes.
 

Grades

 

Final grades will be computed from your grades in exams (2x10% for midterms and 30% for final), homework (25%), lecture quizzes (5%) and lab (20%). Therefore, I cannot "predict" a letter grade for you before the end of the semester. However, you can keep track yourself how you are doing by adding your scores in the tests and homework. I do not "grade on a curve", i.e. it is irrelevant for your own grade how well the others in the class are doing. As a rough estimate, you can assume that 80% or better will translate into an A, 65% - 80% into a B, 50% - 65% into a C and 40% - 50% into a D. Overall scores below that will mean that you fail the course. (These limits may seem rather generous, but you should also expect rather challenging problems on the exams!)

 

My interpretation of the Honor Code

 

1) I consider it advantageous if students discuss material and content of the lec­tures and homework problems with each other, and encourage that kind of cooperation.

• You may pose questions about a problem to another student (as well as the TA's, myself and the Learning Center staff).
• You may discuss verbally the content and methods of solution of a prob­lem.
• If you need to use writing to explain something to another student (or vice versa), use a blackboard or other clearly non-permanent means (scratch paper).

2)  I consider it unethical and a violation of the honor code to simply use another student's solution or let somebody else solve the problem for you.

• You have to contribute significant work to each problem yourself.
• You need to make sure that you clearly understood every step of the solution. This is a useful test of whether getting outside help is allowed; I may use it to prove or disprove claims of unethical copying.
• You may not enter solutions into WebAssign for another student (or have another student enter them for you). Note that some WebAssign problems have random input numbers - your solution may be different numerically than that of other students.
• All written submissions must be prepared by yourself.

3) You may not accept or give any help during exams, including the use of any written material other than the Formula sheet. However, you may ask me if anything is unclear!
 
In this context, I want to remind everyone of the University policy: Any official sanction for cheating, including the assignment of a grade of F for a quiz or for a course as a penalty for cheating, will appear on the student's permanent academic transcript!
 
Finally, I direct your attention to the rules of "CCC" (College Classroom Conduct) published by the Office of Student Judicial Affairs. In particular, I will not condone interruptions of lectures by students receiving cell phone calls, entering or leaving during the allotted classroom time, or engaging in other distracting or disrespectful behavior. On the other hand, I strongly urge you to participate actively in the class by asking questions or answering my own ones.