Physics 121 Spring 2008 Mechanics Frank L H Wolfs Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Frank L H Wolfs Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Physics 121 Spring 2008 What are we going to talk about today Goals of the course Who am I Who are you Course information Text books Lectures Workshops Homework Exams Quizzes Units and Measurements Error Analysis replaces the Physics 121 lab lecture Frank L H Wolfs Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Physics 121 Spring 2008 Goal of the course Physics 121 is a survey course for physics and engineering majors Course topics include motion linear rotational and harmonic forces work energy conservation laws and thermodynamics I assume that you have some knowledge of calculus but techniques will be reviewed when needed I do not assume you have any prior knowledge of physics Frank L H Wolfs Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Physics 121 Spring 2008 Who am I I am Frank Wolfs I am a professor in Physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy I am an experimental nuclear physicist who is looking for dark matter in a deep mine in South Dakota Did you know that the most dominant form of matter in our Universe is dark matter We have never directly detected dark matter I consider teaching a very component of my job and will do whatever I can to ensure you succeed in this course Frank L H Wolfs Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Physics 121 Spring 2008 Who are you Frank L H Wolfs Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Physics 121 Spring 2008 Who are you Frank L H Wolfs Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Physics 121 Spring 2008 Why are you here Most of you will say It is a requirement of my major I have no clue I want to be an engineer and computers do all the engineering calculations Some you may say I was excited about Physics in high school and I like to learn more about the subject I like to Prof Frank L H Wolfs Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Physics 121 Spring 2008 Why should you be here All engineering calculations and models are based on physics A basic understanding of the principles of mechanics and the capability to determine whether solutions to problems make sense is a skill that any engineer needs to have Remember A computer is only as smart as the person who programmed it although some computers are smarter than others Frank L H Wolfs Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Physics 121 Spring 2008 Course Information Text Book Giancoli Physics for Scientists and Engineers The material covered in this course is covered in Volume 1 Physics 122 will cover the material covered in Volume 2 PRS We will be using a Personal Response System in this course for in class quizzes and concept tests Frank L H Wolfs Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Physics 121 Spring 2008 Course Components Lecture Focus on the concepts of the material and its connections to areas outside physics Not a recital of the text book The lecture presentation is interspersed with conceptual questions and quizzes solved with and without help from your neighbors Workshops Small group meetings with a trained workshop leader Institutionalize the study group You discover how much you can learn from you fellow students Consistent attendance of workshops correlates with better grades Frank L H Wolfs Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Physics 121 Spring 2008 Course Components Homework assignments Homework is assigned to practice the material covered in this course and to enhance your analytical problem solving skills You will need to struggle with the assignments to do well in this course You will need to make sure you fully understand the solution to these problems Labs Give you hands on experience with making measurements and interpreting data Labs are pretty much separated from the course not controlled by me but are a required component Frank L H Wolfs Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Physics 121 Spring 2008 Course Components Exams Test you on your basic understanding of the material and your quantitative problem solving skills There will be 3 midterm exams and 1 final exam There is no need to memorize formulas you will be given an equation sheet with all important equations for the material covered on the exam Final grades Calculated in 4 different ways the highest grade counts No grading on a curve grade scale is fixed and known to you Frank L H Wolfs Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Physics 121 Spring 2008 Course Components Pre and post tests At the start of the semester I like to determine your current understanding of physical principles I determine this by having you take a pre test for Physics 121 This test will not count towards your course grade but provides me with valuable information about your background The pre test will take place on Tuesday morning at 8 45 am in Hoyt before our regular lecture At the end of the semester I like to determine how much you learned in this course by having you take a post test for Physics 121 This test will also not count towards your course grade but provides valuable information to me about your level of understanding I also use it to provide you with feedback on areas of mechanics on which you may want to focus in preparation for the final exam The post test will take place on Tuesday April 29 at 8 45 am in Hoyt Although the tests do not impact your final grade you are required to take these tests Frank L H Wolfs Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Physics 121 Spring 2008 Course Components I am here to help you learn this material but it is up to you to actually master it If there is something you do not understand you need to ask for help come and talk email after class etc It is our job to teach you you are paying my salary In large lecture courses it is difficult to see who needs help You need to ask for the help you need before you fall behind Frank L H Wolfs Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Chapter 1 Making measurements Using units Theories in physics are developed on the basis of experimental observations or are tested by comparing predictions with the results of experiments Being able to carry out experiments and understand their limitations is a critical part of