Syllabus

Physics 1401 – Introductory General Physics I

Summer 2008 Session I

Instructor:

Dr. Buxton Johnson

Office:

Room H204

Office Hours:

By appointment

Phone:

852-3168

E-mail:

johnsonb@kwc.edu

PantherNet:

My Courses > PHYS 1401 – INTRO GENERAL PHYSICS I, Su I 08

Description:

Mechanics is studied. Derivations and applications of simple formulas using algebra & trigonometry are stressed. Problem solving is a basic part of the course. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week.

Prerequisite: Mathematics 1401.

Goals & Competencies:

The following General Education goals and competencies are addressed:

· To think creatively: Can develop a unique, original approach to solving a problem.

· To communicate effectively in writing: Can correctly attribute a source and document the source using the appropriate editorial style.

· To better understand the natural world: Can analyze the natural world and human efforts to achieve progress through involvement with it.

· To use mathematics to better understand applied situations: Can use tools such as graphs, statistics, logarithms, etc. to analyze relevant data and/or test hypotheses.

Assessment will include homework assignments, laboratory exercises, regular exams, and a cumulative final exam.

Knowledge:

Ø Develop a fundamental understanding of the various concepts encountered in the study of mechanics;

Ø Understand the development of mechanics from past to present;

Ø Know of the scientists who shaped the course of mechanics and their contributions.

Skills:

Ø Recognize the physics involved in a variety of physical systems, develop appropriate models, and then use these models and known data to solve for unknown quantities, make predictions, and develop changes to achieve desired outcomes;

Ø Learn to solve problems in mechanics;

Ø Develop technical communication skills including effective listening, and clear and precise written expression.

Values:

Ø Develop a sense of responsibility;

Ø Develop an honest work ethic.

Content:

Ø One and two dimensional motion;

Ø Newton’s laws of motion;

Ø Work and energy;

Ø Momentum and collisions;

Ø Rotational motion, gravity and Kepler’s laws;

Ø Rotational dynamics;

Ø Fluid mechanics;

Ø Mechanical waves.

Class Time:

M T W Th F 1:10 PM – 5:00 PM Room H205/202A

Attendance:

Two (2) absences are allowed without affecting the student's grade. Beyond this, each additional absence will result in a 20-point reduction (one homework grade) unless the absence is excused through the Academic Dean’s office.

Arriving late or leaving early is especially disruptive. Each two times will count as one absence.

Class Text:

College Physics – Serway/Faughn

Lab Text:

Physics Laboratory Experiments – Wilson/Hernandez

Class Schedule:

Ch 1/2 – Introduction / Motion in One Dimension

Ch 3 – Vectors and Two-Dimensional Motion

Exam 1

Ch 4 – The Laws of Motion

Ch 5 – Energy

Ch 6 – Momentum and Collisions

Exam 2

Ch 7 – Rotational Motion and the Law of Gravity

Ch 8 – Rotational Equilibrium and Dynamics

Exam 3

Ch 9 – Solids and Fluids

Exam 4

Ch 13 – Vibrations and Waves

Final Exam

Exams:

Four exams and a cumulative final exam will be given during the term.

Homework:

Homework will be assigned regularly and will be due two class periods later by 5 pm.

Lab Reports:

Laboratory experiments will be performed regularly in the General Physics Laboratory and a subsequent report will be due two class periods later at the BEGINNING of the class period. Each lab report will contain the following sections:

I. Purpose

· describe the purpose of the lab experiment;

· include a diagram(s) of the experimental setup;

· state the math model(s) being tested.

II. Procedure and Analysis

· document the procedures you followed during the laboratory experiment;

· use tables to show your experimental data;

· perform all your calculations;

· include required spreadsheets and graphs with regression lines;

· document your results.

III. Conclusions

· summarize your conclusions based on your analysis of the data;

· discuss the specific sources of error in the experiment.

The advance study assignment for each laboratory exercise is due at the beginning of the laboratory period. Late advance study assignments will not be accepted for credit.

Lab Schedule:

2. Measurement Instruments

3. The Scientific Method: Simple Pendulum

4. Uniformly Accelerated Motion

5. Projectile Motion: The Ballistic Pendulum

6. The Addition and Resolution of Vectors: Force Table

7. Newton's Second Law: The Atwood Machine

8. Friction

9. Conservation of Linear Momentum

10. Centripetal Force

12. Rotational Motion and Moment of Inertia

13. Simple Harmonic Motion

14. Standing Waves in a String

Missed/Late Work:

Only excused exam absences can be made up for credit.

All missed laboratory experiments must be made up and all reports must be submitted to receive a grade in the course. Only excused laboratory absences can be made up for credit.

Only one late homework will be accepted for credit.

Only one late laboratory report will be accepted for credit.

Grading:

Final grades will be based on the following:

Homework (9):	225 points
Lab Reports (12):	300 points
Exams (4):	480 points
Final Exam:	180 points
Total Possible:	1185 points

Letter grades will be assigned as follows:

A - 90% to 100%

B - 80% to 89%

C - 70% to 79%

D - 60% to 69%

F - less than 60%

Academic Dishonesty:

The first time a student is found plagiarizing, copying, cheating, etc., a zero will be given on the compromised work. The second time will result in failure of the course.

Accommodations:

If you have a documented disability that may affect your performance in this class and you wish to request reasonable accommodations, please schedule an appointment with the instructor so that provisions can be made to assure you have equal opportunity to meet all the requirements of this course.

---

Send comments and questions to: johnsonb@kwc.edu
Last modified: 5-12-2008