PHY 141.001.002.003
Introductory Physics I – Fall 2012
Instructor: Dr. Chamaree de Silva
Office: SEB 244
Office Hours: MW 3:00 – 4:00
Office Phone: (478) 301-2770
E-mail: desilva_c@mercer.edu
Lecture: MWF 2:00 - 2:50, SEB 110
Lab: 001: T (9.25 - 12.05), 002: R (3.05 - 5.45), 003: R (10.50 - 1.30), SEB 219
Required Text: Physics 4th Ed. James S. Walker. 2010.
Physics 141 is the first course in the two semester sequence of introductory, algebra-based
physics sequence. To take this course you must have taken Mathematics 133 or equivalent since
knowledge of algebra, geometry and trigonometry is required to solve problems discussed in this
class. You should spend at least two hours out of class for each hour in class to completely
master the material covered in lectures.
Solving Technical Problems
There are two stages in learning how to solve technical problems:
Stage 1: Understanding a solution to a problem when it is presented
Stage 2: Formulating the solution
If you do not do the homework yourself, you may only reach Stage 1. While achieving Stage 1 is
necessary, points in the course are awarded only for achieving Stage 2.
Aptitude, Persistence and Success
Your success in many endeavors, including this course, largely depends on your aptitude and
your persistence. Your aptitude is determined by your genes and your environment. You had
little control over your environment during your formative years, and you never had any control
over your genes.You, however, control your persistence: how long you are willing to work and
how hard you are willing to work.
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more
common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a
proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and
determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan `press on' has solved and always will solve the
problems of the human race."
Calvin Coolidge
PHY 141 – Syllabus – Fall 2012
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Seven Keys to Success in PHY 141
The two most important keys to success are as follows:
1. Be able to work every homework problem correctly before taking a quiz or an exam.
2. Learn to apply the basic concepts and not just memorize solutions to specific problems.
Five additional keys to success are as follows:
3. Read the chapter.
4. Review each lecture the same day it is given.
5. Attempt every homework problem in each assignment by yourself. Homework problems are
not graded, but quizzes and exams may contain a subset of these problems. Have a perfect
answer key for each homework assignment to study for quizzes and exams.
6. Explain key concepts you learned to your peers in small groups. Take turns. Discuss the
solutions to homework problems.
7. Talk to your instructor during office hours, even if it is about the new Mercer football team.
Grading
The course grade is based on your performance on three midterm exams, ten in-class quizzes,
laboratory write-ups, and a comprehensive final examination. There will be twelve quizzes with
the two lowest scores being dropped. There will be no make-up quizzes, and first two missed
quizzes will be counted as dropped scores. If you miss more than two quizzes, they will be
counted towards your grade. Exams are closed-book, and a formula sheet will be provided by the
instructor. Missed exams which are excused by the instructor may be made up. However, if no
alternate arrangements were made beforehand, this will be allowed only if the student has an
official excuse: e.g., a note from a Dean's office, or a detailed doctor’s note.
The maximum possible score in PHY 141 is 1000 points (100%). The points are distributed as
follows:
Laboratory: 200 points (20%)
Ten 15-point quizzes: 150 points (15%)
Three 150-point midterms: 450 points (45%)
Final exam: 200 points (20%)
Grades:
A (90 and above), B+ (85-89), B (80-84), C+ (75-79), C (70-74), D (60-69), and F (below 60)
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Class Policies
Attendance Policy: Attendance is not mandatory. However, students are solely responsible for
learning the materials covered in the missed classes.
Class Etiquette: You are expected to conduct yourself in a respectful manner to your fellow
classmates and the instructor. The instructor may ask you to leave the classroom/lab if your
behavior is disturbing to the instructor or other students.
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 (I) pending a ruling by the honor
council.
Cell Phone and Usage: Out of courtesy for all those participating in the learning experience, all
cell phones must be kept in your pocket/backpack with power/ringer off before entering any
classroom, lab, or formal academic or performance event. Warning will be given for the firsttime violation. If a student keeps violating the policy, one may be asked to leave the room by the
instructor.
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 does 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.
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August
22 Wed
24 Fri
27 Mon
29 Wed
31 Fri
First day – Introduction to Physics (CH 1)
CH 1
One-Dimensional Kinematics (CH 2)
CH 2, Quiz #1
CH 2
September
03 Mon
05 Wed
07 Fri
10 Mon
12 Wed
14 Fri
17 Mon
19 Wed
21 Fri
24 Mon
26 Wed
28 Fri
Labor Day
Vectors in Physics, CH 3, Quiz #2
CH 3
Two-Dimensional Kinematics (CH 4)
CH 4, Quiz #3
CH 4
Newton’s Laws of Motion (CH 5)
CH 5, Quiz #4
EXAM #1 (Chapters 1 – 4)
CH 5
Applications of Newton’s Laws (CH 6), Quiz #5
CH 6
October
01 Mon
03 Wed
05 Fri
08 Mon
10 Wed
12 Fri
15 Mon
17 Wed
19 Fri
22 Mon
24 Wed
26 Fri
29 Mon
31 Wed
CH 6
Work and Kinetic Energy (CH 7), Quiz #6
CH 7
CH 7
CH 7, Quiz #7
Fall break
Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy (CH 8)
CH 8, Quiz #8
EXAM #2 (Chapters 5 and 7)
CH 8
CH 8
Linear Momentum and Collisions (CH 9)
CH 9
CH 9, Quiz #9
November
02 Fri
05 Mon
07 Wed
09 Fri
12 Mon
14 Wed
16 Fri
19 Mon
21 – 23
26 Mon
28 Wed
30 Fri
CH 9
Rotational Kinematics and Energy (CH 10)
CH 10, Quiz #10
CH 10
CH 10
CH 10, Quiz #11
EXAM #3 (Chapters 8 and 9)
No class
Thanksgiving
Gravity (CH 12)
CH 12, Quiz #12
CH 12
December
03 Mon
05 Wed
07 Fri
10 Mon
CH 12
Review
Review
FINAL EXAM 2:00 – 5:00
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Laboratory Procedures
Lab Reports: A write-up of the previous week’s experiment has to be submitted no later than the
beginning of each lab period.
This report will consist of:
(1) Objective of the experiment
(2) Theory
(3) Data tables
(4) Analysis of data
(5) Conclusions and discussion of results
A single group report may be submitted by the team responsible for the experiment. 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. Any student who receives unsatisfactory remarks for a given peer
review, must confer with the laboratory instructor, and is subject to loss of group report
privileges. A student who loses group report privileges will still be required to work in a group
for the purpose of acquiring data, but will only be able to turn in individual reports for
subsequent labs.
Attendance: There are no make-up labs, and attendance is mandatory; however, you may attend
another lab section during the same week after being approved by the instructor. If a student has
an official excuse for a missed lab, such as a note from a Dean's office, or a doctor's note, their
grade will not suffer; i.e., their lab grade will be pro-rated.
Laboratory Manual: The lab manual and a tentative schedule of experiments can be found at
http://physics.mercer.edu. 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 and bring your own copy
to lab.
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