Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008Matter & Interactions IPhysics 33131Instructors: Professor Curtis Meyer Course Website: http//www-meg.phys.cmu.edu/physics_33131/ check this regularly as all assignments and announcements will be posted here. We will not distribute paper copies in class.Lectures: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:30-9:20Recitations: Tuesday & Thursday Sec A: 9:30-10:20 Sec B: 10:30-11:20 Sec C: 11:30-12:20 Sec D: 12:30-1:20Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008Professor Curtis MeyerPh.D. University of California, BerkeleyWean Hall [email protected](412) 268-2745Experimental Medium Energy Particle PhysicsMy research is carried out at the Thomas JeffersonNational Accelerator Laboratory (Newport News, VA)“Why are quarks forever trapped inside protons and neutrons?” (The GlueX experiment)Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008Course Web Sitehttp://www-meg.phys.cmu.edu/physics_33131/A detailed archive of all course information:Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008TextbookMatter & Interactions Volume 2 Modern MechanicsRuth Chabay and Bruce SherwoodISBN-13: 978-0-470-10830-7There is also a website with errata and updates: http://www.wiley.com/college/chabay/We will cover nearly all of the textbook this semesterMatter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008Course Grade3 “hour” Exams @ 15% Each 45%2 Comprehensive Final 30%Assignments and Programs 15%Quizzes 5%Attendance 5%Grading will be on an absolute scale:88% to 100% A75% to 87% B60% to 74% C47.5% to 59% D This can be lowered,but not raised.Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008ExamsExam 1 Exam 2Exam 3Friday September 26 8:30-9:20amFriday October 24 8:30-9:20amFriday November 21 8:30-9:20amI will be in the class room at 8:00am and you will be allowed to start the exam at that time.You are not required to start at 8:00am!If you have a University Sponsored Conflict, letme know no later than 2 weeks before the examThe final will be a three hour exam and will be scheduledby the Registrar – watch the Tartan for details.Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008HomeworkYou are encouraged to work together on your homework,and to ask lots of questions. Scientists solve problems by working in groups and we want to make sure that thishappens. Anything that you turn in needs to be your own work. I will not accept copies of other’s papers.There will be homework due every week during classon Friday. Late Assignments will not be accepted Without prior approval of an instructor.Due on August 29: 1.RQ.54,2.RQ.17,2.RQ.18,2.RQ.19 2.P32Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008QuizzesThere will be a short (10 minute) quiz held during the Friday lecture nearly every week. The exact schedule is posted on the course web site. These will be based on either the homework that you just turned in, or the exercises that you workedon in recitation during the week. Coming to class and doing your homework should be sufficient study for these.The purpose of the quizzes is to give you continual feedback on your mastery of the subject.Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008Coming to ClassParticipation in the in-class activities is an importantpart of the learning process. As such, I will base roughly 5% of your grade on attendance in both lecture and recitation.This component of your grade will be most importantif your grade is on the boundary between two grades.Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008Course CenterThe recitation room, Doherty Hall A325, will be openon Wednesday evening from 6:00pm till 9:00pm and onThursday evening from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. There will be instructors there to answer questions, and the computers will be available.I strongly encourage you to take advantage of thisto get together and work on physics with other students.There will be no course center on Aug. 27 & 28Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008Course GoalsModel a broad range of physical phenomena using a small set of powerful fundamental principles.Explain the nature of matter and its interactions in terms of a small set of physical laws that governall mechanical interactions and in terms of the atomic structure of matter.Learn to make reasonable assumptions and approximationsTo be able to solve complicated problems, then understandIf the answer you have is reasonable or not.Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008Physical Modeling An important part of M&I is modeling of real worldsituations using computer simulation. This is done using the Vpython program: http://vpython.org/You can download and install thisOn your own computer. It is alsoInstalled on the clusters.This is not a programming class, and no prior programmingexperience is required.Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008LecturesLectures will present new material, have demonstrationsof physical concepts and involve concept questions to help you gauge if you are understanding the material.I want the lectures to be as interactive as possible,so please do not hesitate to ask questions or make comments.Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008RecitationsRecitations meet on Tuesday and Thursday and willinvolve two types of activities: Modeling of Physical Systems using Computers Working out Physics problems in groupsThe recitations are designed to reinforce and solidifythe material that is presented in lectures. Many students find that this is where they really master the material.Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008EnrollmentDH A325 will hold about 22 students, and has 18computers in it. Section A 8:30am 22 StudentsSection B 9:30am 26 Students Section C 10:30am 16 StudentsSection D 11:30pm 18 StudentsMatter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008Feeling Overwhelmed?If you find that this course is just too much, andthat you don’t have the time needed to keep up,it is possible to transfer into the 33-111 course.Last Possible date is 3 weeks into the course.33-111 uses the same book, but covers less material.The course center is a good place to start forhelp. Regularly attending these will make a difference.Meet with an instructor nearly any time you want to - just drop by with questions.Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008Matter and Interactions 1 Fall 2008A model is a simplified description of the world which is able to predict observed phenomena. ModelingA model is NOT a perfect description It may have approximations. It