PHY 2048: Physics 1 with Calculus, Spring 2011
(Discussion Sections: 6942, 3705, 3706H & 1243H)
Instructor: Tomoyuki Nakayama, Office: 2155 New Physics Building, Phone: 352-392-0310
Email: nakayama@phys.ufl.edu, Web: http://www.phys.ufl.edu/~nakayama/phy2048.htm
Office Hours: Thursday 5:10-6:00pm (R10) & Friday 1:55-2:45pm (F7)
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What are we going to do here?
Our discussion sections offer you an opportunity to apply the knowledge you’ve got in the lecture
class to actual problems. Therefore, we spend most of the time working on problems. We normally
begin our discussion with a review of the topics covered during the previous week. I prepare a
handout for the review so that we can discuss problems more efficiently. The main purpose of the
review is to reinforce and refresh your knowledge and problem solving technique which you must
have developed through previous week’s lectures and discussion. After the review, we move on to new
topics. I will introduce theory, but very briefly, for theoretical background should be given in the
lecture class. Instead of giving mathematical derivations of the equations we shall use, I will explain
the physical meaning of the equations. Once the theoretical introduction is done, then we walk through
examples. Some of the examples worked here are chosen from a homework assignment, others are
chosen based on pedagogical purpose. I give you a detailed calculation for each example, except
numerical calculations. The last part of discussion class is a quiz. The discussion grade is solely based
on the scores on the quizzes, which counts for 20 % of the overall course grade.
What do you expect us in (& out of) class?
This is a physics discussion session, so obviously we want to discuss physics. Please be interactive,
and speak up. Although I will give you every step on the board while solving problems, my
calculation might be faster than that of yours. If you have trouble following my calculation or
explanation, don’t hesitate to stop me and ask questions. Do not assume that your classmates are better
prepared than you and you are the only one who cannot follow my talk. If you don’t understand
something, everyone else doesn’t understand it either. Please represent the class and stop me!
Almost every week, I prepare a set of practice exam problems so that you can prepare for exams on
a weekly basis. Most of the problems in these problem sets are selected from Test Bank, from which
the professors choose some of the exam problems. I strongly recommend you try them. Repetition is a
very important key to success in physics. I am positive that you will do better in exams if you solve
the practice exam problems every week and then refresh your problem solving technique before an
exam with real past exams than you just cram everything before the exam.
Tell me more about the quiz.
You will have 10 quizzes in total. The quiz schedule has already been set as shown in the table below.
We use the last 10 minutes of the class. Each quiz corresponds to one homework set that is most
recently due before the quiz. Normally I will just choose one of the homework problems randomly and
divide it up to accommodate partial credits. Sometimes I modify a problem itself, but a quiz problem
never requires special methods that exceed the level required to solve homework problems. All you
need to do to get a good score on a quiz is to master the problem solving techniques appear in the
corresponding homework assignment. For this reason, you are not allowed to use a formula sheet
Each quiz is graded out of 5, thus the total quiz score is 50. You will have 10 % (5-point) drop.
(Some people prefer to call it “forgiveness” because it will not drop any specific quiz.) You can
calculate your quiz grade (out of 20) as follows:
• If your total score is equal to or more than 45, your quiz grade is 20.
• If your total score is less than 45, your quiz grade is: (Total quiz score / 45) × 20
Do not forget to bring your calculator. A scientific calculator or graphic calculator is recommended;
at least your calculator should be able to operate trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic and power
function with arbitrary powers. However, fancy functions are not necessary. You should be able to
solve quadratic equations and simultaneous equations, and operate simple integral and differentiation
on your own. Storing equations in your graphic calculator is strictly forbidden.
You will be allowed no more than 2 documented absences. This means that you can make up your
missed quizzes up to twice. You must provide documentation within two weeks (preferably one week)
after your missed quiz. If a situation does not allow you to get any proof but you believe you have a
proper reason to get a make-up, just ask me as soon as possible.
Quiz
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Date
January 24 - January 26
February 7 - February 9
February 14 - February 16
February 21 - February 23
February 28 - March 2
March 14 - March 16
March 21 - March 23
March 28 - March 30
April 4 - April 6
April 11 - April 13
Material (Homework Due)
Hw #2 (January 21)
Hw #4 (February 4)
Hw #5 (February 11)
Hw #6
Hw #7
Hw #8
Hw #9
Hw #10
Hw #11
Hw #12
Can we get more help from you (or other TAs) out of class?
I chose my office hours on Thursday and Friday, hoping they will be convenient for you because
homework dues are on Friday. If you need help with your homework assignments, just come to my
office during my office hours. But of course, you should tackle your homework assignments on your
own first. Keep in mind that office hours are pooled by all the TAs, which means you can see any TA
on their posted office hours. If you want to see me at any other times, you may just walk in my office
(My weekly schedule is available in the discussion web page.), or send me an email in advance and
make an appointment. I will have extra office hours during exam weeks, depending on the schedule of
exams.
Is attendance important?
As mentioned above, the discussion grade will depend on quiz scores only and attendance will not
be taken. However, I strongly urge you to attend every class. Even if you believe you’ve learn enough
about the former topics, you will still learn something new in the review. The worked examples
discussed here must help you do homework assignments. In addition, even if you haven’t prepared for
the quiz at all, you will get 1 point for putting your name and UFID on the quiz! Important
announcements are given at the beginning of class, so it is advisable to come on time. If you miss a
class, you will need to check our website for announcements. It is your responsibility to keep yourself
informed.
I need a classroom accommodation, what should I do?
If you are granted a classroom accommodation from the university, please let me know as soon as
possible so that we can make an arrangement. You will need to provide me with an official letter from
the Dean of Student Office.
Last but not least,
Do not cheat! Cheating ruins fairness, which is a top priority I must achieve. Each student is
expected to keep high standard of academic honesty, and I will deal with any type of cheating strictly.
You should avoid any suspicious behavior during the quiz. It is not allowed to share your calculator or
to use a cell phone without my authorization. You must show all your work on the quizzes. If a correct
answer magically appears without necessary steps, I suspect you used a magic called “cheating”, and
you will not get any credit for it. All violations of academic honesty will be reported to the University.