PHY 141:Introductory Physics I, Fall 2011
The Mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be ignited- Plutarch
Text: Physics 4th. Edition, James S. Walker
Instructor: Dr. Matt Marone Room 243 Science and Engineering Building
Phone 301-2597, e-mail: marone_mj@mercer.edu
Office Hours: R 2:00-3:00 outside of these hours please make an appointment. You
may email me your questions as well.
Lecture: MWF 2:00-2:50, SEB 110 Auditorium
Prerequisite: MAT 133 or equivalent
General:
This is an algebra based class. Mathematics is the language of Physics and your
ability to function in that language will affect your grade in this class. You will be able to
solve a wide range of problems using vector analysis. You will learn how to solve
problems using Newton’s laws of motion, conservation of momentum, energy
conservation and rotational motion. We will also study some special applications of fluid
flow and periodic motion. Lectures will be in an interactive format. I expect you to ask
questions and I will ask questions as I am lecturing. Physics did not just develop in a
vacuum. We will also look into the historical context of great discoveries and their
application. You are not required to come to lectures, but your lack of attendance will
most likely cause you to do poorly in the class. Your grades will be determined based on
the factors shown below and not on any other factors or considerations.
Grades:
A (90 and above), B+ (85-89), B (80-84), C+ (75-79), C (70-74), D (60-69) F (below 60)
The actual number of tests will be determined by the number of chapters we cover. Your
Final class grade will be derived from the following percentages
Average of Tests (50%)
In-class Quiz (5%)
Homework (5%)
Final Exam (20%)
Lab (20%)
You will not be graded on a “curve”.
Extra Credit will only be available on in class exams, if available at all.
Learning Style Audit: Each student is required to submit an Index of Learning Styles
Questionnaire. The purpose of this test is to help students learn how to study better for
this class. The learning style score will not be factored in to your grade, however failure
to submit a score report will result in a grade of incomplete. You can find the learning
styles questionnaire at the link shown below. Once you have filled out the form, you will
see a results page. You are required to e-mail me the results. Do not send me an image
of the page. I will show you how to format the numerical results. Your e-mail must
contain “Phy 141Learning Styles Scales” as the subject. If it does not have the correct
subject, the mail filter will not file your results correctly. It is the responsibility of the
student to confirm that the instructor received the audit. You must submit the results
before the first exam. Failure to submit a learning style audit will result in a grade of
Incomplete for the course. You can find the learning style audit at the following web
site: http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html
Laboratory Reports: Lab reports are usually submitted as a group. If you prefer to
submit an individual report, that is also permitted. I will discuss the format of the reports
in lab class.
Electronic Submission of Assignments: Students bear sole responsibility for ensuring
that papers or assignments submitted electronically to a professor are received in a timely
manner and in the electronic format(s) specified by the professor. Students are therefore
obliged to have their e-mail client issue a receipt verifying that the document has been
received. Students are also strongly advised to retain a copy of the dated submission on a
separate disk. Faculty members are encouraged, but not required, to acknowledge receipt
of the assignment
Tests: Make-up exams will only be given to students with valid excuses as defined by the
university handbook (illness, emergency, class trips with prior notification). The makeup exam may be harder or easier than the regular in-class exam. Any disputes concerning
a test grade must be resolved within one week from the time the tests are returned or from
the time the grades are made known to the class. Partial credit will be awarded
depending how many steps were done correctly in a multi-step problem. The amount of
credit will be at the discretion of the instructor. No equation sheets are permitted. A list
of useful equations and constant will be provided with the test. Expect one homework
problem to appear on the test. If you are late to class and arrive while the test is in
progress you will have only the remaining time to complete your quiz. If you come in
after the test, you will not have the opportunity to make it up. Do not be late!
Illness: If you are ill and will miss class please contact me. We can make arrangements
to make up the missed work and I can inform you what material you need to read. If you
are ill, please do not come to class. Students are advised to call or email the Student
Health Center (301-2696 or shcmacon@mercer.edu) to report influenza-like symptoms.
Students judged to have influenza-like symptoms will be instructed that they should not
attend class, avoid contact with others as much as possible, and return to their normal
schedule after they are free of fever (100°F or 37.8°C), or signs of a fever without the use
of fever-reducing medications.
Quizzes: There will be a 5-10 minute quiz every week. This quiz will cover any material
discussed in class up to that point of time. There may be questions related to an example
problem from the text or an assigned homework problem. Make-up quizzes are subject to
the same conditions as make-up tests. The Quiz will usually be on Friday. It may be
necessary to change the day and the change will be announced. Tests and quizzes will
start on time. If you are late to class and arrive while the quiz is in progress you will
have only the remaining time to complete your quiz. If you come in after the quiz, you
will not have the opportunity to make it up. Do not be late!
Final Exam: The final exam may include any material discussed in class. Make-up
exams will be subject to the same conditions as make-up tests.
Homework: You will turn in homework electronically via the WebAssign system. You
must register and pay a fee to use this system. I will provide you with a special
registration code. It is your responsibility to self-enroll in WebAssign. These problems
are not group work. You must work them out on your own. Feel free to ask me for help.
Honor code: You are bound by the Mercer honor code. The College’s academic
misconduct policy will be followed. All work, for which a grade is received, must be the
original work of the student without aid or assistance of another party, or any printed
and or electronic data/information. Academic misconduct cases will be referred to the
honor council and the student will automatically receive a grade of incomplete (IC)
pending a ruling by the honor council.
Cell Phone and Pager Usage: Out of courtesy for all those participating in the learning
experience, all cell phones and pagers must be turned off before entering any classroom,
lab, or formal academic or performance event
Classroom etiquette: You are expected to conduct yourself as a mature student,
respectful of your classmates and instructor. You may be asked to leave the room if your
behavior is disturbing the instructor or your fellow students. You may use a laptop to
take notes or access the e-book during class. Please do not use a computer for any other
purpose such as facebook, twitter, myspace, social networking, email, stock trading and
the like.
Documented Disability
Students with a documented disability should inform the instructor at the close of the first
class meeting or as soon as possible. If you are not registered with Disability Services,
the instructor will refer you to the Student Support Services office for consultation
regarding documentation of your disability and eligibility for accommodations under the
ADA/504. In order to receive accommodations, eligible students must provide each
instructor with a Faculty Accommodation Form from Disability Services. Students must
return the completed and signed form to the Disability Services office on the 3rd floor of
the Connell Student Center. Students with a documented disability who do not wish to
use accommodations are strongly encouraged to register with Disability Services and
complete a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester. For further information please
contact
Disability
Services
at
301-2778
or
visit
the
website
at
http://www.mercer.edu/stu_support/swd.htm.
Evaluation forms: In an ongoing effort to improve the quality of instruction, each
student enrolled in this course is required to complete an end-of-semester course
evaluation, to be administered in class on our last day. Students failing to submit the
evaluation by the last day of classes will be assigned the grade of “Incomplete,” which
will automatically turn into an “F” if the evaluation is not submitted by the midterm of
the very next semester.
Material To Be Covered and Test Dates (Tentative)
Ch. 1 Introduction to Physics
Ch. 2 One Dimensional Kinematics
Ch. 3 Vectors in Physics
---------- Test 1 Sept 16 ---------Ch. 4 Two dimensional Kinematics
Ch. 5 Newton’s Laws of Motion
Ch. 6 Applications of Newton’s Laws
---------- Test 2 Oct 12 ---------Ch. 7 Work and Kinetic Energy
Ch. 8 Potential Energy and Conservation
Ch. 9 Linear Momentum and Collisions
---------- Test 3 Nov 7---------Ch. 10 Rotational Kinematics and Energy
Ch. 11 Rotational Dynamics and Static Equilibrium
---------- Test 4 Dec 2---------Ch. 13 Oscillations about Equilibrium
Ch. 14 Fluids
Chapters 13, 14 will be tested on the Final exam, which is cumulative.
Note: we will not cover every section of each chapter listed above. You will be informed
of the relevant sections as we progress.
Important Dates
First Day of Class-August 22
Holiday – Labor Day September 5
Mid Term- October 12
Fall Break- October 13,14
Last Day for Course Withdrawal- October 28
Holiday – Thanksgiving November 23-25
Last Class Day- December 9
****** Final Exam Monday 12/12 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m **********
PHY 141: Basic Physics Lab I, Fall 2011
Instructor: Dr. Matt Marone Room 243 Science and Engineering Building
Phone 301-2597, e-mail: marone_mj@mercer.edu
Office Hours: R 2:00-3:00, outside of these hours please make an appointment. You
may email me your questions as well.
Laboratory: T 9:25-12:05, R 3:05-5:45
Laboratory Manual: The lab manual and a schedule of experiments can be found on
line at http://physics.mercer.edu/labs/manuals/manual121Lab.htm. A printed copy of the
experiment will be available each week. That copy will not be removed from the lab
room, so you will need to print your own or download your own electronic version of the
lab write up. You may print your filled in data table on the printer located in the lab.
General:
In this class we will conduct experiments concerning vectors, kinematics, projectile
motion, statics, momentum, rotational dynamics, energy conservation, and
thermodynamics. You will also learn how to use graphs to represent data and analyze
experimental results. The basics of error analysis will be introduced, and you will learn
how experimental uncertainty affects results. In some experiments, computers will be
used to obtain data and analyze the results. You will come away from this class with
hands on laboratory experience and the ability to conduct simple experiments. In some
cases we will depart from the regularly scheduled experiment and try something a little
different. It may be the case that only our section will do a particular experiment or try a
different approach. In that case I will notify you and provide you with an alternate
procedure. Beyond the physics content, you will learn how to write a professional report.
This is a skill that you can use in other classes and in your career.
Post-test Assessment:
You will take a pre and post assessment tests. The pres-test will not be factored into your
grade but you must take it. The post test is required and will be factored into your final
grade. Your score on the post-test can earn you up to an additional 1% bonus added to
your final Phy 141 grade. The amount of the bonus you will receive depends on how
well you score on the post test and is given by the schedule shown below. These tests
will be used by the department to assess learning and we expect you to take them
seriously.
>50% gives +1/4% to final grade
>60% gives +1/2% to final grade
>70% gives +3/4% to final grade
>80% gives +1% to final grade.
Your laboratory average will count as 20% of the final grade in Phy 141.
You laboratory average will be calculated based on your highest seven (7) laboratory
reports. In additional to the laboratory reports, you must successfully complete the
“Vector Lab” work sheet. That work sheet will be graded S/U for satisfactory /
unsatisfactory.
Labs: Make-up labs will only be given to students with valid excuses as defined by the
university handbook (illness, emergency, class trips with prior notification). Any disputes
concerning a test grade must be resolved within one week from the time the tests are
returned or from the time the grades are made known to the class. Partial credit will be
awarded depending how many steps were done correctly in a multi-step problem. The
amount of credit will be at the discretion of the instructor. Students are required to take
all data and begin data analysis during the scheduled laboratory period. All laboratory
reports/ work sheets are due at the start of the next laboratory period. No late labs will be
accepted. Students are required to work in groups for the purpose of acquiring
experimental data.
Illness: If you are ill and will miss class please contact me. We can make arrangements
to make up the missed work and I can inform you what material you need to read. you are
ill, please do not come to class. Students are advised to call or email the Student Health
Center (301-2696 or shcmacon@mercer.edu) to report influenza-like symptoms. Students
judged to have influenza-like symptoms will be instructed that they should not attend
class, avoid contact with others as much as possible, and return to their normal schedule
after they are free of fever (100°F or 37.8°C), or signs of a fever without the use of feverreducing medications.
Lab reports:
Each lab will worth 5points. A report must be very well written to receive full credit.
Major errors in a section count as a 1 point deduction. Less grievous errors will be
fractional point deductions.
A report will consist of the following sections:
1) Experimental Description
a.) Objective of the experiment. I will explain what the objective of the experiment is.
Sometimes this will be different from the stated objective in the lab manual. Do not
simply quote the lab manual.
c.) Theory behind the experiment including all important equations, expected results and
methods of graphical analysis (For example: The slope gives the acceleration the
intercept is the initial velocity). Explain the logic of the experiment and how it relates to
the objective.
2) Data tables, including correct use of units and significant figures.
3) Graphs and graphical analysis. It is important to relate the graphical results back to the
theory section.
4) Conclusion and Discussion of results
a.) State the numerical values of the results along with their uncertainty
b.) How do these results compare with what we expected?
This is a very important part of the report. In the theory section you outlined the logic.
Now you need to state what you can conclude based on that logic.
5) Answers to Questions Nearly every lab has several questions at the end of the write up.
You must answer each question
Group lab reports: Students may choose to write an individual lab report, or to work
together and turn in a group lab report. All students included in the group report will
receive the same grade for that particular report. Groups will conduct a periodic “peer
review” to assess the participation of fellow group members, and the distribution of
workload. Satisfactory and unsatisfactory marks will be awarded in the peer review. Any
student who receives more unsatisfactory marks than satisfactory marks, for a given peer
review, must confer with the laboratory instructor, and is subject to loss of group report
privileges. Loss of group report privileges means, that the student will only be able to
turn in an individual report. A student who looses group report privileges will still be
required to work in a group for the purpose of acquiring data.
Honor code: You are bound by the Mercer honor code. The College’s academic
misconduct policy will be followed. All work, for which a grade is received, must be the
riginal work of the student without aid or assistance of another party, or any printed and
or electronic data/information. Academic misconduct cases will be referred to the honor
council and the student will automatically receive a grade of incomplete (IC) pending a
ruling by the honor council.
Cell Phone and Pager Usage: Out of courtesy for all those participating in the learning
experience, all cell phones and pagers must be turned off before entering any classroom,
lab, or formal academic or performance event
Classroom etiquette: You are expected to conduct yourself as a mature student,
respectful of your classmates and instructor. You may be asked to leave the room if your
behavior is disturbing the instructor or your fellow students.
Documented Disability Statement: Students requiring accommodations for a disability
should inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible.
The instructor will refer you to the Disability Support Services Coordinator to document
your disability, determine eligibility for accommodations under the ADAAA/Section 504
and to request a Faculty Accommodation Form. Disability accommodations or status will
not be indicated on academic transcripts. In order to receive accommodations in a class,
students with sensory, learning, psychological, physical or medical disabilities must
provide their instructor with a Faculty Accommodation Form to sign. Students must
return the signed form to the Disability Services Coordinator. A new form must be
requested each semester. Students with a history of a disability, perceived as having a
disability or with a current disability who do not wish to use academic accommodations
are also strongly encouraged to register with the Disability Services Coordinator and
request a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester. For further information, please
contact Carole Burrowbridge, Disability Services Coordinator, at 301-2778 or visit the
Disability Support Services website at
http://www.mercer.edu/studentaffairs/disabilityservices
Evaluation forms: In an ongoing effort to improve the quality of instruction, each
student enrolled in this course is required to complete an end-of-semester course
evaluation, to be administered in class on our last day. Students failing to submit the
evaluation by the last day of classes will be assigned the grade of “Incomplete,” which
will automatically turn into an “F” if the evaluation is not submitted by the midterm of
the very next semester.
Important Dates
There is no final exam for this class