Physics
2000-2002

Instructor: Prof. Jeffrey Schierenbeck

Textbook: Physics, Giancoli (third edition)
Physics - Its Methods and Meanings, Lab Manual, Taffel

Duration/Credits: Two semesters/1.0 credits

Prerequisite: Completion of or enrollment in Algebra II.

Course Objective: To provide the student with an understanding of the fundamental principles of physics and its application, including the development of skill in laboratory procedures and technique.

Topics Covered:

First Semester:

• Methods of science and measurement
• Nature of science; models and theories; measurement; units and SI system.
• Motion in one dimension
• Speed; reference frames; unit conversion; average velocity; displacement; vectors; acceleration; uniformly accelerated motion; problem solving; falling bodies; graphical analysis of linear motion
• Kinematics in two dimensions
• Vector arithmetic; relative velocity; projectile motion.
• Dynamics
• Force; Newton's first law; mass; Newton's second law; Newton's third law; weight; friction; inclined planes.
• Circular motion and gravitation
• Uniform circular motion; Newton's law of universal gravitation; satellites and 'weightlessness'.
• Work and energy
• Work; kinetic energy; potential energy; conservative forces; energy transformations; conservation of energy; dissapative forces; power.
• Linear Momentum
• Momentum; conservation of momentum; collisions and impulse; conservation of energy and momentum; elastic and inelastic collisions; center of mass.
• Fluids
• Density and specific gravity; pressure; atmospheric pressure; Pascal's principle; barometer; buoyancy and Archimedes' principle; Bernoulli's principle; surface tension.
• Temperature and kinetic theory
• Atoms; temperature; gas laws and absolute temperature; ideal gas law; kinetic theory.
• Heat
• Heat as energy transfer; distinction between temperature, heat, and internal energy; specific heat; calorimetry; conduction, convection, and radiation.
• Thermodynamics
• First law; Second law, entropy.

Second Semester:

• Vibrations and waves
• Simple harmonic motion; energy in a simple harmonic oscillator; pendulum motion; damping; resonance, standing waves; wave motion; types of waves; reflection, refraction, interference, and diffraction.
• Sound
• Loudness, pitch, quality; sources of sound--strings and air columns; interference; Doppler effect.
• Light: Geometric optics
• Ray model of light; speed of light; refraction, Snell's law, total internal reflection; reflection; lenses; plane and spherical mirrors.
• The wave nature of light
• Wave versus particle model; diffraction, refraction, interference; the electromagnetic spectrum; polarization.
• Electric charge and field
• Static electricity; conservation of electric charge; electric charge in the atom; insulators and conductors; induced charge; electroscope behavior; coulomb's law; electric fields.
• Electric potential and electric energy
• Electric potential and potential difference; relation to electric field; equipotential lines; electronvolt; point charges; capacitance; dielectrics; storage of electric charge.
• Electric currents
• Batteries; electric current; Ohm' law; resistivity; superconduction; electric power; alternating current
• DC circuits and instruments
• Resistors in series and parallel; EMF and terminal voltage; Kierchhoff's rules; EMF in series and parallel.
• Magnetism
• Magnets and magnetic fields; electric currents produce magnetic fields; ferromagnetism and domains; electromagnets and solenoids; force on electric current in magnetic field; force on an electric charge moving in magnetic field; galvanometers, motors.
• Electromagnetic induction and Faraday's law
• Induced EMF; Faraday's law of induction; Lenz's law; EMF in a moving conductor; changing magnetic flux produces an electric field; generators; back EMF; transformers.
• Special theory of relativity
• Newtonian relativity; Michelson-Morley experiment; postulates of special relativity; time dilation, length contraction; and mass increase; mass-energy equivalence
• Early quantum theory and models of the atom
• Plank's quantum hypotheses; photoelectric effect; photon theory of light; wave-particle duality of light; Bohr's atomic model.
• Quantum mechanics of atoms
• Interpretation of double slit experiment with electrons; probability vs. determinism; measurement uncertainty; philosophical complications and theoretical physics

Assessments:

Tests: There will be approximately 7 tests each semester--either one or two chapter being covered per test. The lowest test score each semester will not be factored into your course grade.

Homework: Homework will be assigned a couple of times per week on average. Generally, the homework will be collected and graded.

Laboratory: On the average, two laboratory sessions will take place each week. The nature of the assignment for the laboratories will vary.

Final Exam: There will be a cumulative final at the end of each semester.

Extra Credit: A standing offer for extra credit is in place. Students who write reports, perform experiments, or share information or devices related to physics receive extra credit points. These extra credit points will be added to your cumulative test score.

Grading:

Tests 40% (lowest score dropped each sem)
Final Exam 20%
Homework 20%
Laboratory 20%
Letter Grade Conversion

Office Hours: It is not expected that you should be able to succeed in this course without ever having any contact with the instructor outside of class time. You can anticipate that you will have questions throughout the year. You must make it a point to get those questions answered to your satisfaction. This can hopefully be achieved through your own thinking and reading, consultation with classmates or others, and through communication with the instructor in and outside of class time. I will generally be available in my Northwest Hall office during 2nd period (except Wednesdays) and for some portion of the afternoon following 7th period. Once a more regular routine is established, I will post specific hours during which I expect to be in my office. You are welcome to come by any time I am available in my office. If you would like to arrange a specific time at which to meet, that could certainly be arranged. You may always contact me by telephone at either my office or at home. My office number is 836-6630 and my home number is 839-8938. There is an answering machine at both locations, so you can leave me a message if I am not there. Do not feel timid about calling me at home on evenings or weekends; it's not a problem at all. But, if calling my home, please call before 10:00 pm. You may also contact me via Email at jeff.schierenbeck@ilc.edu.

Late Assignments: Unless otherwise specifically stated, all work assigned to be turned in on a particular date is due at the beginning of the class period on that day. NO CREDIT WILL BE RECEIVED FOR HOMEWORK THAT IS HANDED IN LATE! If, because of an excused absence, you are unable to be in class on the day that work is due, you will be expected to turn in that assignment at the beginning of the next class period which you are able to attend.

If circumstances arise which would not allow you to get your assignment in on time, then let me know as early as you can. It may be possible for you to receive an extension. However, if you inform me of your situation just before class on the day that the work is due, do not expect me to be too gracious! Generally, you will be given a few days to complete an assignment. Start on the assignment early so that you can get questions answered that arise. Procrastination is not a valid excuse!

Information Missed Due To Absence: Whether present or absent (excused or unexcused), you are responsible for any information given out during the class periods. This includes lecture material, activities, homework assignments, quizzes, announcements of test/quiz dates, or any other matter that is discussed. Therefore, if you are absent for a class period, be sure to contact a responsible classmate, or me, to be filled in on any important information that you may have missed. Of course, if you need help catching up on any material that you missed, I will be happy to assist you.

If you miss a period in which a test or quiz is given, you will be responsible for contacting me as soon as possible to arrange a time to make up the test. If I don't hear from you, be prepared to take the test during the next class period which you are able to attend.

Missed Laboratory Periods: If you miss a laboratory experiment or other class activity, you will be responsible for contacting me as soon as possible (before the next class which you are able to attend) to arrange a time to make up the activity.