PHY 141.003
Introductory Physics I – Spring 2014
Instructor: Dr. Chamaree de Silva
E-mail: desilva_c@mercer.edu
Lecture: MWF 11:00 - 11:50, SEB 143
Office: SEB 209
Office Hours: F 1:30 – 3:30
Lab: R 12:15 – 2:55, 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 follow 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.
Solving Technical Problems
There are two stages in learning how to solve technical problems:
Stage One: Understanding a solution to a problem when it is presented
Stage Two: Formulating the solution
If you do not do the homework yourself, you may only reach Stage One. While achieving Stage
One is necessary, points in the course are awarded only for achieving Stage Two.
Seven Keys to Success in PHY 141
The seven most important keys to success are as follows:
1. Ability to do all homework and worksheet problems correctly before taking a quiz or an exam.
2. Learn to apply the basic concepts and not just memorize solutions to specific problems.
3. Read the textbook.
4. Review each lecture the same day it is given.
5. Attempt every homework problem in each assignment. 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 Mercer football team.
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Grading
The course grade is based on your performance on three midterm exams, ten in-class quizzes, ten
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%). There will be no extra credit.
The points are distributed as follows:
Ten laboratory write-ups: 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 Phones: 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 first-time 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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January
06 Mon
08 Wed
10 Fri
13 Mon
15 Wed
17 Fri
20 Mon
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
Vectors in Physics (CH 3), Quiz #1
CH 3
MLK Jr. Day
CH 3, Quiz #2
Newton’s Laws of Motion (CH 5)
CH 5
CH 5, Quiz #3
EXAM #1 (Chapters 1 – 3, 5)
February
03 Mon
05 Wed
07 Fri
10 Mon
12 Wed
14 Fri
17 Mon
19 Wed
21 Fri
24 Mon
26 Wed
28 Fri
Applications of Newton’s Laws (CH 6)
CH 6
CH 6
CH 6
CH 6, Quiz #4
CH 6
Work and Kinetic Energy (CH 7)
CH 7, Quiz #5
Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy (CH 8)
CH 8
CH 8, Quiz #6
CH 8
March
03 Mon
05 Wed
07 Fri
10 Mon – 14 Fri
17 Mon
19 Wed
21 Fri
24 Mon
26 Wed
28 Fri
31 Mon
CH 8
CH 8, Quiz #7
EXAM #2 (Chapters 6 - 8)
Spring Break
Linear Momentum and Collisions (CH 9)
CH 9
Fluids (CH 15)
CH 15
CH 15, Quiz #8
CH 15
CH 15
April
02 Wed
04 Fri
07 Mon
09 Wed
11 Fri
14 Mon
16 Wed
18 Fri
21 Mon
23 Wed
25 Fri
Temperature and Heat (CH 16), Quiz #9
CH 16
CH 16
CH 16, Quiz #10
EXAM #3 (Chapters 9, 15 - 16)
The Laws of Thermodynamics (CH 18)
CH 18, Quiz #11
Good Friday
CH 18
CH 18
CH 18, Quiz #12
May
01 Thurs
FINAL EXAM 9:00 – 12:00
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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
(6) Work distribution among group members (‘who did what’)
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.
Attendance: There are no make-up labs, and attendance is mandatory. 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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