Physics 331 Syllabus
AC/DC Circuits
Fall 2003
Professor:
Office:
Office Phone:
E-mail:
Homepage:
Physics 331 Homepage:
Office Hours:
Dr. Michelle Parry
McCorkle Rm 130
395-2579
mparry@longwood.edu
http://www.longwood.edu/staff/mparry/homepage.htm
http://www.longwood.edu/staff/mparry/physics331f03/homepage.htm
Tuesday 11 – 12; Wednesday 3 – 4 ; Thursday 11 – 12; Friday 2 - 3
Course Description: AC and DC circuits, loop, mesh and nodal analysis, network theorems, dependent sources, RLC
circuits, transients, resonance, impedance, and electrical measurements. Prerequisite: Physics 101,
102 or 201, 202; Mathematics 261. 3 lecture and one 2- hour lab periods; 4 credits
Robbins & Miller, Circuit Analysis Theory and Practice, 2nd Edition, New York, Delmar/Thomson
Learning, 2000
Text:
Course Objective:
(1) To convey an understanding of electric circuits
(2) To develop a student’s ability to solve circuit problems by using Ohm’s law, Thevenin’s
and Norton’s theorem, superposition, mesh analysis, and nodal analysis
Class Content:
Chapters 2-11, 13-16, 18 (Material from Chp. 12, 17, and 19 may be discussed if time permits.)
Topics Include:
Class Schedule:
Ohm’s Law, Series-Parallel Circuits, Kirchhoff’s Laws, Thevenin’s and Norton’s
Theorems, Superposition, Mesh and Nodal Analysis, Transients, Complex Impedance,
Phasors, AC circuits, Resonance
(This schedule is tentative)
Chp. 1 Introduction (You are responsible for this material on your own.)
Aug. 26 – Sept. 23
Chp. 2 Voltage and Current
Chp. 3 Resistance
Chp. 4 Ohm’s Law, Power, Energy
Test 1 Friday, September 19
Sept. 24 – Oct. 18
Chp. 8 Methods of Analysis
Chp. 9 Network Theorems
Test 2 Friday, October 17
Oct. 19 – Nov. 18
Chp. 10 Capacitors and Capacitance
Chp. 11 Capacitor Charging, Discharging, and Simple Wave shaping Circuits
Chp. 13 Inductance and Inductors
Chp. 14 Inductance Transients
Chp. 15 AC Fundamentals
Test 3 Friday, November 14
Nov. 19– Dec. 6
Chp. 16 R, L, and C Elements and the Impedance Concept
Chp. 18 AC Series-Parallel Circuits
Final Exam Thursday, December 11; 3:00 – 5:30 PM
Chp. 5 Series Circuits
Chp. 6 Parallel Circuits
Chp. 7 Series-Parallel Circuits
Course Requirements:
(1) Three tests; (2) Final exam; (3) Weekly homework assignments; (4) Laboratory
assignments that will include working with a partner or a small group; (5) In class activities
and unannounced quizzes.
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory. Class attendance will be taken daily with a sign in sheet. It is your
responsibility to make sure that your name appears on the attendance sheet. Signing in for a classmate is
considered a violation of the Honor Code set forth by Longwood College. Appropriate measures will be
taken if a violation occurs. Assignments must be turned in on time and tests must be taken during the
scheduled time periods unless prior arrangements have been made. If you fail to attend 25% of the
scheduled class meetings (lectures and labs combined) you will receive a final grade of an F for the
course. (excused or unexcused absences) A grade of 0 or F will be given on assignments missed due to
an unexcused absence. Exceptions may be made in the case of an emergency. However, remember that
what you consider an emergency may not constitute an emergency in my judgement.
Homework:
Weekly homework assignments will be given along with specific due dates. The homework assignments
will be collected randomly and graded. The assignments must be turned in by 3:00 PM on the specified
due date. Each homework assignment will be graded on a 7.5 point scale. The grading of these
homework assignments will be discussed in class. For each school day that a homework assignment is
late 2.5 points will be deducted. A homework assignment that is three days late will receive a grade of
zero. It is necessary to show all work required in solving the problems. Be prepared for class. If you are
not prepared then be willing to accept the consequences.
The solutions to the homework problems will be placed on the Physics 331 homepage after the due
dates and will also be available in my office.
Activities and unannounced Quizzes:
During the course of the semester there will be unannounced in class
activities and quizzes. The quizzes may include material from the lecture or the reading assignment.
Since these will be unannounced, there will be no make-ups.
Grading:
The following point scale determines your final grade:
3 test (100pts each)
Final exam (150 pts)
Homework
Labs, Activities, and Quizzes
Total
=
=
=
=
=
300 pts
150 pts
75 pts
25 pts
550 pts
The final grade is determined by dividing your point total by 550 possible points and computing a
percentage. A letter grade is assigned according to the following scale:
A
B
C
D
F
Honor Code:
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
59 and below
495 – 550 pts
440 – 494 pts
385 – 439 pts
330 – 384 pts
below 330 pts
Students are expected to follow the Honor Code set forth by Longwood College. If the Honor Board
finds you responsible of a violation you will receive a final grade of F.
Additional Requirements:
A calculator capable of trigonometric and logarithmic operations is required. A
scientific calculator is preferable
Bibliography: None. As the semester moves forward material may be placed on reserve at the library or on the Physics
331 Homepage.
Students with Special Needs: Please contact me to discuss your situation if you require special accommodations or
attention.