PHYS 1111 Syllabus University of Georgia Spring 2015 Introduction Welcome to Physics 1111 the first half of a two semester introductory physics sequence This semester we ll focus on Mechanics the study of motion Understanding the motions of objects and their interactions is one of the principal goals of physics The fundamental laws of mechanics first enumerated by Isaac Newton in the 17th century can be applied to an enormous range of phenomena on scales as diverse as dust grains and galaxies and from the esoteric to the everyday In this semester you ll learn about the concepts associated with the study of motion including velocity acceleration inertia force work energy and momentum You will see how these concepts are related to each other through the laws of Mechanics Newton s Laws of Motion and their corollaries the conservation laws of energy linear momentum and angular momentum Along the way we will apply these basic laws and concepts to different kinds of motion constant acceleration motion uniform circular motion statics lack of motion collisions rotations oscillations and wave motion Physics is a quantitative science While we won t neglect the qualitative and conceptual aspects of Mechanics much of the work in this course involves setting up and solving math problems You will need to communicate your results in a variety of ways mathematical and numerical expressions graphs diagrams even plain English You are expected to have a working knowledge of college algebra trigonometry and basic geometry as well as an understanding of elementary science concepts e g scientific notation significant figures units and dimensions graphing We will not be reviewing this material in class If you need to brush up be sure to read Chapter 1 and Appendix A as soon as possible Please come see me if you are concerned about your preparation for this course If you are a prospective physics or astronomy major then this course is probably not for you Please talk to Prof Wiegert physics or Prof Caillault astronomy about other options If you have had calculus or are taking it now consider taking PHYS 1211 which uses some calculus concepts instead Newton developed calculus while formulating his laws of motion consequently PHYS 1211 is both more challenging and much more rewarding Basic Information Instructor Office Dr Tho Nguyen 233 Physics Building Email ngtho uga edu Phone 706 542 2492 Class Lab Office hours Lab Contact MWF 2 30 3 20PM 202 Physics Building Various times 314 Physics Building Tuesday and Thursday 9 30 NOON in R233 Physics Building Mr Tom Barnello tjbar physast uga edu 706 542 2903 1 Required Course Materials Physics Volume 1 4th ed by J S Walker Pearson Addison Wesley This is the black cover edition You may use older editions if you wish but you re responsible for knowing about any changes in content Experiments for an Introductory Physics Course 2011 ed Hayden McNeil Publishing This will be used in your lab section A used lab manual is not acceptable A Turning Technologies ResponseCard NXT clicker Bring it to every class we will be using clickers throughout the semester for participatory activities A simple scientific calculator for exams which must be non programmable non graphing and non symbolic Acceptable calculators include the TI 30X series and the Sharp EL531 examples of unacceptable calculators include the TI 83 and the Casio fx 115ES The use of calculator graphing algebra solving or programming functions will not be permitted for any exam nor will PDAs cellphones etc A good rule of thumb is if the calculator isn t allowed on the SAT it s also not allowed for exams Online Course Materials Online assignments are an essential part of the course You will access them with an account on the LON CAPA system at http spock physast uga edu backup server at http tuvok physast uga edu You will be automatically subscribed to a low volume email announcement list It is important that you check your email daily The eLearning Commons will serve as another repository of course information homework and exam solutions grades practice problems and tutorials simulations links to outside resources etc Other Student Resources If you cannot come to my regular office hours or need additional help please set up an appointment by email by phone or in person to see me outside of class There is a Student Study Guide with Selected Solutions for this textbook that may be useful Information on this and other resources is provided in your textbook If you need to improve your math preparation I recommend Mathematics for College Phyiscs by Biman Das Pearson Addison Wesley and or Get Ready for Physics by Edward Adelson Pearson Addison Wesley Tutors are available either through the UGA Tutoring Program at Milledge Hall or through the Department of Physics and Astronomy 2 Grading Policy and Assignments Your overall grade will be determined from your course performance weighted as follows 25 Cumulative final exam grade 45 Three in class exams 20 15 10 for highest middle lowest grades 15 Laboratory grade 10 Homework grade 5 Participation in class activities reading quizzes etc Letter grades will be assigned from your overall numerical grade according to the following A 90 0 A 87 5 B 85 0 B 80 0 B 78 5 C 75 0 C 70 0 C 67 5 D 60 0 F Overall numerical grades will not be rounded i e 89 99 is still an A Any requests for a regrade of an exam or assignment must be made no later than one week after the item is returned For a regrade I will look at the entire exam assignment not just one problem and this may raise or lower your score Regrade requests including those for online homework should be accompanied by all your work Exams There will be three in class midterm exams and a cumulative final exam All exams will be closed book and closed notes You may use a simple scientific calculator that is nonprogrammable non graphing and non symbolic Calculators such as the TI 83 or TI 84 are not allowed I ll provide you with a formula sheet for each exam and will also post it to the Web before the exam The formula sheet s purpose is to focus your studying on understanding rather than memorization If you feel you need an equation that s not on the sheet don t memorize it learn how to derive it from the equations that are given Exams will comprise both conceptual and problem solving questions very similar to homework and in class examples Therefore please concentrate your time on the in class examples and homework Unless told
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