PHYS 11A – Section 1, Fall 2013
General Physics: Mechanics, Prof. Buerki Syllabus
Prof. Buerki’s information
Office, Phone
Email
Drop box
Sequoia 432, 278-6540 buerki@csus.edu
(This is the best way to contact me)
Box # 4 (with my name on it) on the 2 nd floor of Sequoia Hall, near the lab room (SQU 236)
Office hours Mondays, 2:20 pm – 3:00 pm in Sequoia 432,
Wednesdays, 10:00 am–10:50 am in Sequoia 432, or by appointment or email.
Tutoring center Mondays, 3:00 pm–3:50 pm in Sequoia 124
Class information
Class Meetings Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays , 11:00–11:50 am in Mendocino 1015
Course Websites http://www.csus.edu/indiv/b/buerkij/A/PHYS11A.html
http://masteringphysics.com/ with class code
F13PHYS11ABUERKI
Required Textbook R. D. Knight, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Volume 1
Pearson, 3th Edition (2013) with MasteringPhysics access code
Required material
Midterms
Final exam
If you don’t mind reading the text online, it is sufficient to buy the registration code for MasteringPhysics, which can be bought at the bookstore as a standalone or packaged with the textbook, or online at http://masteringphysics.com
.
Make sure to include the e-Text if you buy online!
• Access to MasteringPhysics , where you will join the class
F13PHYS11ABUERKI
• Simple scientific calculator
• A set of five color-coded 4x6 cards marked A through E as follows:
A – yellow, B – purple, C – green, D – pink, E – blue
I’ll have colored cards available for everyone on the first day of class. If you lose them, I have some extra cards that I can provide for a small fee.
Monday, September 30, 11:00–11:50 am
Monday, October 28, 11:00–11:50 am
Wednesday, November 20, 11:00–11:50 am
Monday, December 16, 10:15 am–12:15 pm (place TBD)
Physics 11A officially has three components: Lecture, discussion, and laboratory. In practice (and due to budget restrictions), there is no difference between lecture and discussion, which I’ll refer to as “in-class meetings.” In-class meetings will be held in the lecture hall with me, while you might have a separate lab instructor.
The lab component is a very important part of the class. Its purpose is to develop your proficiency in making basic physical measurements and driving meaningful conclusions from them. We attempt to synchronize the experiments with topics discussed in class, but it is not always possible to do so.
Note that lab attendance is mandatory: If you miss more than two labs, you will get you an F.
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PHYS 11A – Section 1, Fall 2013
General Physics: Mechanics, Prof. Buerki Syllabus
Course content
The course discusses Newtonian mechanics. This material is covered in chapters 1–15 of the textbook.
PHYS 11A fulfils the area B1 GE graduation requirement.
Prerequisites:
Introductory calculus, Math 30, must have been passed. Second semester calculus, Math 31, should also have been completed; if not, it must be taken concurrently.
Prerequisites are being checked, and you might be dropped from the class if you are missing any of them. In any case, concepts from these courses, in particular derivatives and integrals, will be used extensively in Physics 11A, and you must be comfortable with these mathematical concepts!
Course objectives:
Your specific objective should be to understand and to be able to apply the fundamental laws and results of Newtonian mechanics.
In particular, upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Analyze and predict the motion of simple objects (motion in 1- and 2-dimensions; circular and rotational motion)
• Explain why objects change their motion (forces)
• Analyze interactions between objects (energy, work, momentum, and conservation laws)
• Recognize that our description of nature is connected to careful observation and reasoning (lab work)
A broader and equally important goal is to develop an analytical, logical approach to problem solving, and to acquire a certain level of intuition, or “feel”, for physical phenomena.
Area B1 Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will also be able to:
• Explain and apply core ideas and models concerning physical systems and mechanisms, citing critical observations, underlying assumptions and limitations.
• Describe how scientists create explanations of natural phenomena based on systematic collection of empirical evidence subjected to rigorous testing and/or experimentation.
• Access and evaluate scientific information, including interpreting tables, graphs, and equations.
• Recognize evidence-based conclusions and form reasoned opinions about science- related matters of personal, public and ethical concern.
In-class meetings:
The in-class meetings will be non-traditional in the sense that there will be little to no lecture time, except when needed to clarify or reinforce an important point. Instead, in-class time will be used to help you connect the different ideas presented in the book and to practice problem solving. This will often be done by asking questions to the class (multiple choice or more complex questions), oftentimes letting you work in small groups with my help and the help of learning assistants before discussing with the whole class.
Hopefully, the class will be very interactive and more fun.
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PHYS 11A – Section 1, Fall 2013
General Physics: Mechanics, Prof. Buerki Syllabus
For this to work, you will need to take responsibility for your learning and come to class prepared!
This means in particular that you need to do the following before coming to class on the first day we discuss a new chapter:
• Read the chapter carefully, so that you understand the most basic concepts presented in the chapter.
It is perfectly OK if it leaves you with questions, and we’ll try and answer those in class.
• While reading the chapter, write notes about it. You will bring them with you in class and they will be checked by the learning assistants. (see last page on some advice on how to write good notes.)
• Complete a reading quiz on MasteringPhysics by 8am on the class day it is due (there will be one quiz per chapter)
This class organization requires a lot more work on your part even before coming to class, so you might wonder: “ What’s in it for me ?
” — Research has shown that in classes taught this way, students learn significantly better than in traditional classes and do better in the class as well as in later ones.
Attendance is expected and will be checked by learning assistants.
The Learning Assistant Program
Learning assistants (LA) are students who have recently completed Physics 11A with good grades and are now returning to the class to help other students succeed, deepen their own physics understanding, and to get some experience teaching to see if they would like to explore it as a career. Please keep in mind that learning assistants are not experts. They are slightly more advanced students that are willing to work with you in the class.
Note that learning assistants are explicitly told not to give you the right answer but to instead ask you questions that will help you figure it out by yourself. Keep in mind the Chinese proverb:
Tell me, I’ll forget. Show me, I may remember. Involve me, and I’ll understand.
We will be recruiting new Learning Assistants at the end of the semester to participate as LA next semester. Let your LA know if you are interested, and keep your eyes open for our end of semester recruitment session.
Grading:
Credit for the various components of the course are as follows:
Homework
Each midterm
10 %
14 %
Quizzes
Final exam
10 %
18 %
Lab
Participation
10 %
10 %
Letter grades will be assigned as follows:
A
90–100 %
B
80–89 %
C
70–79 %
D
60–69 %
F
0–59 %
Important: Note that high exam grades do not guarantee a high course grade on their own. You must also do well in other components of the class (homework, quizzes, lab, participation) to earn a high grade!
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PHYS 11A – Section 1, Fall 2013
General Physics: Mechanics, Prof. Buerki Syllabus
Reading quizzes
There will be a reading quiz at the begining of each chapter, for an expected total of 14. Quizzes are due at 8am on the day we start a new chapter and must be completed on MasteringPhysics .
They usually contain a number of multiple-choice questions and/or “easy” qualitative problems. In general, you will have only one attempt at each question for the quizzes, but an unlimited amount of time for answering them. That should leave you time to go back to the textbook if you don’t know how to answer.
You do not need to answer all questions at once.
Quizzes will also include one or two essay questions about what material in the chapter gave you the most difficulty, and what you found most interesting. I’ll use these questions in part in deciding what to emphasize in class. These questions will not contribute to your quiz score, but you will receive one participation (see below) point for answering them.
Homework:
There will be weekly homework assignments to reinforce the material covered in class, again for an expected total of 14. Assignments will be available online on MasteringPhysics , usually at least one week before the due date. The assignments must be completed on MasteringPhysics by the indicated due time
(usually 8am) to get the maximum score. Solutions will be available on MasteringPhysics after the due date.
The homework is graded automatically by MasteringPhysics (except for occasional “essay” questions). It is easy to make mistakes while entering answers online, which is why you’ll get a relatively large number of trials for each questions.
Late homework will be accepted for about a week after the due date, but your score will be reduced automatically in proportion to how late you are (1/2 percentage point for each hour.)
I encourage you to work together on homework problems. That said, sitting in a study group and copying solutions will not teach you the material any better than copying from solutions found online or elsewhere, and you’re not likely to do well in exams unless you are able to solve problems on your own. Getting
100 % in homework but 40 % in exams is not likely to get you a passing grade!
In addition to normal homework, I will usually also post (optional) additional practice problems that will not count toward your homework grade.
Laboratories:
Your lab instructor will give me your lab score at the end of the semester, so if you have questions about it, ask your lab instructor. This grade will be used in determining your overall course grade Note that I reserve the right to re-normalize or scale the lab grade to account for difference in grading in separate sections.)
Note that lab attendance is mandatory: If you miss more than two labs, you will get you an F.
A passing grade in the lab part of the course (50 %) is a requirement for passing the whole course!
Exams:
There will be three 50-minutes exams and one two-hour final exam. A typical exam will consist of a number of short-answer questions (possibly multiple choice) and a few longer problems to be worked out.
Any subject matter covered in class, homework, textbook, or labs may be included.
The 50-minutes exams are scheduled for the dates indicated above; if these dates need to be changed,
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PHYS 11A – Section 1, Fall 2013
General Physics: Mechanics, Prof. Buerki Syllabus you will be given at least a one-week notice.
The exams will be closed book and closed notes, except for one single-sided, handwritten, half-letter-size sheet that you may bring with you. It must be handwritten because the process of writing it will help you organize your ideas. You must have your name clearly written at the top of the sheet, and you will turn it in with your exam. Unmarked, photocopied or typed notes will be considered academic dishonesty.
You are allowed a scientific calculator, but nothing may be programmed on it. I reserve the right to clear the memory of your calculator prior to or during the exams.
The exams must be answered using a pen (as opposed to a pencil), and must be filled out as cleanly as possible.
The final exam follows the same rules, but is two-hour long and you will be allowed two single-sided lettersize pages (or one double sided) of notes. The exam is comprehensive, but will be somewhat weighted toward the material covered after the last midterm exam.
Unless you have a compelling reason and talk to me about it in advance of the exam, there will be no make-up exams.
Participation:
It is very important to participate in class and points will be given for attendance to and participation in and out of class. Here are some of the participation activities that will give you participation points. More may be offered in class.
• Mechanics Survey (10 participation points).
This evaluation must be taken at the beginning and again at the end of the course for credit (during the first and last lab meetings). Your grade in this evaluation will NOT affect your grade but you must take it seriously in order to receive the extra-credit.
• Introductions: (3 participation points) Complete this short assignment in MasteringPhysics to introduce yourself to the class.
• What helps you learn: (3 participation points) Complete this survey in MasteringPhysics (about mid-semester)
• Online reading quizzes : 1 participation points for each quiz in which you answer the essay questions in a meaningful way.
• Chapter summaries: For each chapter summary, graded weekly by the LAs, you’ll get:
* 2 points for a good summary
* 1 point for a minimal summary
* 0 point for an insufficient / missing summary.
• Attendance : 1 point for each week of perfect attendance (class and lab).
MasteringPhysics
The online system MasteringPhysics will be used in this class for reading quizzes and homework. It requires a registration code that can be purchased either with the textbook, or separately from the
MasteringPhysics web site. You will then need to join the class
F13PHYS11ABUERKI
.
The registration code gives you online access to the full textbook if bought with the book. If you don’t care for a hard copy of the textbook, the registration code is sufficient for the class provided you select to include the e-text when buying the code .
If you do not get a registration code, you will not be able to do any of the quizzes and homework that count toward the final grade, and will not be able to check your grades.
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PHYS 11A – Section 1, Fall 2013
General Physics: Mechanics, Prof. Buerki Syllabus
In addition to a complete online version of the textbook, MasteringPhysics gives you access to a number of resources which I encourage you to take advantage of. These include in particular:
• Solutions to assigned problems,
• Study area, with videos of experiments (some of which will be demonstrated in class), video tutor solutions, concept simulations ,... of various phenomena with various initial parameters,
• Your present grade in the class.
One advantage of MasteringPhysics is that it can give you instant feedback on homework problems and guide you through the solution of many problems. The flip side of the coin is that it is sometimes unforgiving, and you need to be very precise in what you enter as your answers!
This syllabus, “how to read your textbook” and other documents will also be posted under “Course
Materials” on the top right corner of MasteringPhysics .
Add/Drop policy:
There are usually more students trying to take this class than there are spots available. In part for that reason, attendance will be checked and any absence must be justified before the lecture/lab. Missing two lectures or one lab without prior approval by me (or your lab instructor for the lab) during the first two weeks will result in an administrative drop without further warning!
Class registration is closed, which means that you need a signature to add the class. Adds will be handled by lab instructors, but please come talk to me after being added so I’m aware of your addition. I you do not talk to me or you miss class, I reserve the right to drop you again.
You may drop during the first two weeks for any reason. After the first two weeks of class, dropping the course requires instructor permission and will be approved only for serious and compelling reasons. Not doing well in class is not a compelling reason because you have prevented someone else from taking that seat.
If you were on the MySacState waiting list before the beginning of the semester, I have a copy of that list and will use it. I you were not on that waiting list, your chances of adding the class are close to zero, but you may leave your name with me and I’ll add you to the waiting list.
“Commit to Study,” Out-of-class help
Succeeding in college, especially in science classes, does not come “for free,” but requires a lot more work that what you may be used to from high school or other classes.
You will need to work several hours a week (probably at least 10 hours) to read and understand the theory, do the homework and make sure you are able to work out similar, but different, problems on your own!
The college of Natural Sciences & Mathematics has put together some information that can be helpful to learn good studying habits. It can be found at http://www.csus.edu/nsm/commit/ . I encourage you to read it.
I am always happy to help students and am available during the office hours indicated above. Outside these hours, you’re welcome to try your luck and knock on my door or, preferably, make an appointment, but be aware that I can be busy. Additionally, you may ask questions by email, and I’ll try and answer quickly.
In addition, the physics department has a tutoring center (SQU 124) staffed by faculty and advanced students, which is open about 15-20 hours a week (a schedule is available on the door of SQU 124, at the Physics office, SQU 230, or on the Department of Physics’ web site).
I strongly recommend that you take advantage of these possibilities. It is important not to fall behind in this class as every chapter builds on the preceding ones!
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PHYS 11A – Section 1, Fall 2013
General Physics: Mechanics, Prof. Buerki Syllabus
Some other things you should know:
• It is your responsibility to know what announcements were made in class and what subject was covered. If you miss class, ask a friend or come see me during office hours.
• It is your responsibility to check announcements on MasteringPhysics as well as you saclink email.
• Keep this syllabus for reference. If you need to print it again, it is available on MasteringPhysics .
• If you have a disability and require accommodations, you need to provide disability documentation to SSWD, Lassen Hall 1008, 916-278-6955. Please discuss your accommodation needs with me after class or during my office hours early in the semester.
Student Conduct and Discipline:
• Cell phone are not allowed in class at any time. You must turn off your cell phone ring before class starts. If there is a strong reason why you need to cell phone, you need to let me know beforehand and put your phone on vibrate.
• The textbook is a great resource and you should use it often. However in-class time is time to be engaged with your peers and cannot be used for catching up on the reading. For that reason, its use in class is strongly discouraged. In fact, I encourage you to leave it at home and use your notes! If you need to check for a formula, or the value of a constant, you are welcome to ask me, one of the LA, or to use the instructor’s textbook copy which will be in front of the classroom during every meeting (except exams).
• Laptops and tablets are great study tool, but they are NOT allowed in class as they can also be a huge distraction.
• Code of conduct: The Department of Physics and Astronomy has unanimously approved the following statement:
“The faculty of the Department of Physics and Astronomy will not tolerate academic dishonesty. Falsification of data, copying, unauthorized collaboration, plagiarism, alteration of graded materials, or other actions (as described in, but not necessarily limited to the Sacramento State Policy Manual) will be promptly reported to the Office of Student Affairs. The offending student will be penalized on the assignment in question. Serious infractions will result in course failure and a recommendation for administrative sanctions.”
If you have any questions regarding this statement, please come and speak with me about it.
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PHYS 11A – Section 1, Fall 2013
General Physics: Mechanics, Prof. Buerki
Indicative Schedule:
The following outline of the course is indicative, and may be modified according to needs.
Syllabus
Week (Day) Chapter
1.
9/2 (M) Labor day, no class
(W) 1.
Syllabus, intro, motion diagram
(F) 1.
Concepts of Motion
2.
3.
9/9
9/16
(M) 1.
continued
(WF) 2.
Kinematics in one dimension
(M) 2.
continued
(WF) 3.
Vectors
4.
9/23 (MWF) 4.
Kinematics in two dimensions
5.
9/30 (M) MIDTERM 1 : chapters 1–4
(WF) 5.
Force and Motion
6.
10/7 (MWF) 6.
Dynamics I: Motion along a line
7.
10/14 (MWF) 7.
Newton’s third law
8.
10/21 (MWF) 8.
Dynamics II: Motion in a plane
9.
10/28 ( M ) MIDTERM 2 : chapters 5–8
(WF) 9.
Impulse and momentum
10.
11/4 (MWF) 10.
Energy
11.
4/15 (M) Veteran’s day, no class
(WF) 11.
Work
12.
11/18 (M) 11.
continued
11/20 ( W )
(F) 12.
MIDTERM 3 : chapters 9–11
Rotation of a rigid body
Lab
Intro; “Mechanics Survey”
1. Measurements & Uncertainty
2. The Simple Pendulum
3. Projectile motion
Uncertainty exam
4. Forces in equilibrium
5. Centripetal forces
6. A velocity-dependent force
8. Conservation of linear momentum in a collision
9. The ballistic pendulum
7. The work-energy principle
10. Moment of Inertia
13.
11/25 (MW) 12.
continued
(F) Thanksgiving, no class
14.
12/2 (MW) 13.
Newton’s theory of gravity
(F) 15.
Fluids and elasticity no lab
11. Angular Momentum
15.
12/9 (MW) 15.
continued
(F) “Mechanics Survey”
5/20 ( M )
12. Physical Pendulum
10:15am–12:15pm Final Exam, Chapters 1–15
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PHYS 11A – Section 1, Fall 2013
General Physics: Mechanics, Prof. Buerki Syllabus
How to read your physics 11A textbook and take meaningful notes
Prepare to Read
Read the chapters title and sections and ask yourself what this chapter is about. Look at pictures, graphs, tables, charts, and read all their captions. What do you expect the reading to be about? What prior knowledge do you have on this subject?
Read
Read a section and stop at the end to check what you have learned, and what questions you may have.
After you are done reading a section go back and highlight important information, circle new words, and use sticky notes to mark the difficult points before moving on to the next section. It is best to wait and mark the text after you are done reading a section because you will have a bigger picture and it will be easier to determine what is important.
Take Meaningful Notes
You may start to take notes as you finish reading a section or once you have finished reading the entire chapter. Notes should be taken on paper because physics requires pictures and equations, and also because you will need to use them in class where no computers or tablets are allowed. You may want to keep a notebook.
1. For each section that you read, write down any subheadings and any main ideas that seem most important. Use pictures and do your best to put the ideas in your own words.
2. List any important definitions and new terms with which you are unfamiliar. If the definition is not given in the body of the reading, use the glossary at the back of your textbook (for technical terms) or a dictionary (for non-technical terms). Again, try to put the definitions in your own words.
3. In your own words, write a brief summary of what you just read. As part of your summary, you may want to reflect on how the material relates to your personal experience.
4. Write down any questions you still have after completing your reading. What concepts did you find more difficult in this chapter? What would you like to see explained in class? Be specific and explain why something is hard, or doesnt make sense. Post your question in the essay question of your reading quiz.
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