Section #: 606222
Class Time: MW 12:00PM - 1:50PM
Room: 7/277
Instructor: Douglas H. Laurence
Office: 7/135
Office Hours:
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For this course, you will be required to have the following materials:
- Textbook: University Physics, 14th edition, by Young and Freedman. This book can either be bought by volume (volume 1 is required for this course) or as a complete text with all 3 volumes. The textbook was recently changed and the bookstore might not have updated their systems yet. If you bought the previously assigned textbook (Physics for Engineers and Scientists, by Ohanian), please return it to the bookstore as soon as possible.
- MasteringPhysics: The homework for this class will be assigned through online software known as MasteringPhysics; specifically a new version called Modified MasteringPhysics. You can buy an access code for MasteringPhysics alone or you can buy it as a package with the textbook from the bookstore. Either way, you need a copy of the text and an access code for the homework. Read the "Homework" section below for information on MasteringPhysics.
- Other Materials: A scientific calculator, not a graphing calculator or other type of programmable calculator, which will not be allowed on exams
There are two more references I would recommend. For math, noting beats Paul's Online Math Notes, which provide an excellent review of all necessary math. For physics, MIT's Physics II lectures from 1999, given by Walter Lewin, are sort of the gold-standard for online lecture videos for physics. YouTube still has the videos uploaded, and a playlist for them can be found here. If you need more reference materials, feel free to ask me and I'll be more than happy to recommend additional sources.
During the semester, we will cover the following topics. Note that these topics are subject to change with notification by the professor.
- Mathematics review
- Motion and Kinematics
- Forces and Newtonian Mechanics
- Energy and Energy Physics
- Momentum and Collisions
- Rotational Mechanics
- Gravity
- Oscillations and Waves
- Thermodynamics
The exams will be a mixture of multiple choice questions and free response problems. There will be 10 multiple choice questions worth 2.5 points each (total of 25 points) and 3 free response problems worth 25 points each (total of 75 points). There will actually be FOUR available free response problems, of which you only need to answer THREE; you CANNOT do the fourth problem for extra credit. The material covered on each exam is going to break down like:
- Exam 1: Chapters 1 - 5
- Exam 2: Chapter 6 - 10
- Exam 3: Chapter 13 - 15, 17 - 19
- Final: All material covered on previous exams
Homework will be assigned through MasteringPhysics, specifically the new version called Modified MasteringPhysics (course code laurence95971), with roughly one assignment due each week, though it depends on how long a particular topic takes us to cover in class; you will be able to see the homework schedule through the MasteringPhysics website. To access MasteringPhysics, you must go to the following website: http://pearsonmylabandmastering.com. This website, speficically, offers a 2 week free trial for MasteringPhysics in case you need time to purchase your access code. You should watch this video on how to get started with MasteringPhysics.
While each homework assignment will vary in the number of questions asked, each assignment will be worth the same number of points, i.e. each homework assignment will be equally weighted. Some homework assignments which have a lot of subject matter to cover will have extra credit questions assigned. Each homework assignment will also be available for you to turn in late up to one-week after the due date, so even if you're running a bit late, make sure to turn it in! If, for any legitimate reason, you absolutely need an extension for your homework, please let me know before the due date of the homework, and I'll be happy to provide you a reasonable extension.
Tentative Course Schedule:
| WEEK | MONDAY | WEDNESDAY |
|---|---|---|
| August 20 | Ch 1: Vectors | Ch 2: 1d Motion |
| August 27 | Ch 2: 1d Motion | Ch 3: 2d Motion |
| September 3 | Labor Day | Ch 3: 2d Motion |
| September 10 | Ch 4: Newton's Laws | Ch 5: Applying Newton's Laws |
| September 17 | Ch 5: Applying Newton's Laws | Review for Exam 1 |
| September 24 | Exam 1 (Ch 1 - 5) | Ch 6: Work and Energy |
| October 1 | Ch 7: Energy Conservation | Ch 7: Energy Conservation |
| October 8 | Ch 8: Momentum and Collisions | Ch 8: Momentum and Collisions |
| October 15 | Ch 9: Rotation of Rigid Bodies | Ch 9: Rotation of Rigid Bodies |
| October 22 | Ch 10: Rotational Dynamics | Ch 10: Rotational Dynamics |
| October 29 | Review for Exam 2 | Exam 2 (Ch 6 - 10) |
| November 5 | Ch 13: Gravitation | Ch 14: Periodic Motion |
| November 12 | Veteran's Day | Ch 15: Mechanical Waves |
| November 19 | Ch 17: Temperature and Heat | Ch 18: Thermal Properties |
| November 26 | Ch 19: 1st Law of Thermodynanics | Review for Exam 3 |
| December 3 | Exam 3 (Ch 13 - 15, 17 - 19) | Review for Final Exam |
| December 10 | Final Exam, 12:30PM - 2:20PM | End of Class |
*Blue days are days off, red days are exam dates
Grading Scheme:
| Homework | 15 points |
| Lowest-Graded Exam | 10 points |
| Mid-Graded Exam | 20 points |
| Highest-Graded Exam | 25 points |
| Final Exam | 30 points |
| Total | 100 points |
|---|
Grading Sale:
| Letter Grade | Points Earned |
|---|---|
| A | 85.0 - 100.0 |
| B | 75.0 - 84.9 |
| C | 65.0 - 74.9 |
| D | 55.0 - 64.9 |
| F | < 55.0 |