v6 1 Physics 171 / 171H Introductory Physics: Mechanics and Relativity Fall 2008 — Professor Shawhan Course topics: Kinematics, Newton's laws, gravity, energy and work, linear momentum, special relativity, rotational kinematics, angular momentum, static equilibrium, elasticity, fluids, gases, and basic thermodynamics. This course is designed for physics majors and those desiring a rigorous preparation in the physical sciences. Knowledge of basic calculus will be assumed. Prerequisites: Math 140 (Calculus I) and a high school physics class, or permission of the department. Lectures: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9:00–9:50 in room 1201 of the Physics Building. Note that Physics 171 and Physics 171H (the honors section) share the lectures. Students in 171H will also have a weekly discussion session at 3:00 on Fridays in room 1219. Class attendance is important, and I expect you to come to class and to participate for your own benefit and enjoyment. I plan to make the class time fairly interactive, and we’ll often talk about things which are not in the book. I do not attempt to keep records of class attendance. Required textbook: “Physics for Scientists & Engineers” by Douglas C. Giancoli, 4th edition, chapters 1-37, bundled with MasteringPhysics access kit. The ISBN number (for this book + access kit package) is 0-1361-3926-4 (ISBN-10) or 9-780-1361-3926-3 (ISBN-13). Be careful to get the right package! The publisher produces other versions of this book (split into volumes; with additional chapters for modern physics topics; etc.) The ISBN number above is the simplest way to get what you need for this course. If you’re unsure about whether another version is sufficient, please check its ISBN number with me. Note that you do not need to bring the book to class. Reading assignments will be given for nearly every class day, typically consisting of about 10 pages from the textbook. I will assume that you have done the reading before coming to class, and will not repeat everything that is in the book. Understanding all of the material in the readings, even if not covered in the lectures, is an important part of the course. For instance, you should be able to answer all of the Questions at the end of each chapter, even if not assigned as homework. Feel free to read ahead by a few days! You could, for instance, do all of a week’s reading in two sittings if you prefer. Note that if you don’t have time to completely absorb a reading assignment before class, it will be best to at least read it quickly beforehand and then return to it later. Homework: There will usually be two reasonably short assignments each week, each of which must be completed by the beginning of class on the specified date. Students in 171H will have extra homework. Most of the homework will use the MasteringPhysics online system, but you will also turn in handwritten problems on paper to be checked. The details of how that will work will be explained during the first class session. You can work on the homework together with a classmate as long as the end result is that you master the material and turn in your own work. Copying is cheating; on the other hand, having a friend help you figure out how to solve a problem can be a good learning strategy. Don’t wait until the last minute to start a homework assignment! In fact, try to start it early so that you can ask for help if you need it. Please do all of the homework and turn it in on time, unless you have a valid excuse (i.e. illness, a religious observance, or some other compelling reason). I know that things sometimes come up (e.g., exams and important deadlines in other courses), so I will give you up to four free extension days (total for the semester) with no excuse necessary. Beyond that, if you do not have a valid excuse, you can still turn in the homework up to 24 hours late for half credit; after 24 hours, no credit will be given.v6 2 Exams: There will be four exams during the semester plus a final exam. The final exam will be given on Thursday, December 18 from 8:00 to 10:00 in our regular classroom (room 1201). The exams will be given in class, on paper, and will be closed-book. Any physical constants or data that you may need will be provided. You will need a calculator with standard trigonometry functions. Exams must be taken on the scheduled days unless you have a valid excuse. If you know in advance that you will have to miss an exam, please inform me as soon as possible so that we can arrange a make-up. Note that the make-up exam will be identical to the regular exam; I will trust you and your classmates to not allow the contents of the exam to leak out to someone who still has to take it. Course grade: 40% Homework 10% Each exam during the semester 20% Final exam How to do well in this course: Come to the lectures. Participate in class discussions. Keep up with the reading—try to read some at least three or four times per week. Start the homework early enough so that you can finish it all. Ask for help (your teacher, TA, or a classmate) whenever there is something you don’t understand. Also ask about anything you are curious about. Review your notes and past homeworks before each exam. Contact Information: Prof. Peter S. Shawhan, room 4205B in the Physics Building, 301-405-1580, [email protected] Office hours: Mondays 1:30-3:30, Wednesdays 2:00-3:00 and 4:00-5:30, and Fridays 4:00-5:30 TA: Yi Wang, room 4223 in the Physics Building, [email protected] Office hours: Tuesdays 11:00-12:00 *** NOTE: Office hours are subject to change – watch for announcements If you are unable to come during regular office hours, please contact us by email or phone to ask a question and/or arrange a time to meet. Honor Code: The University of Maryland has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For more information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit http://www.studenthonorcouncil.umd.edu/whatis.html . Religious observances: If you need to miss