Studio Physics at RPI
Physics I
Introduction
Rev. 15-Jan-07 GB
01-1
Welcome to Physics I
at RPI
Physics I is a calculus-based, college-level introductory course in
general physics. For most of you, this is a required course.
Our primary topic in Physics I is Newtonian mechanics. We also
introduce the concepts of electric and magnetic fields. These concepts
are further developed in Physics II. Physics II also covers waves and
introductory quantum mechanics.
Physics I has a web site:
http://www.rpi.edu/dept/phys/Courses/phys1/index.htm
Please add this URL to your “favorites” and check it regularly for
information and announcements.
01-2
Frequently Asked Questions About
the Textbook for Spring 2007
The required textbook is Fundamentals of Physics, Seventh Edition,
by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker.
You should ideally buy the complete Physics I package including
the CD and software key. You will use the same book in Physics II.
If you have a used textbook, you will need to get a separate license
key for WileyPLUS, a computer homework system we will be using
this semester for reasons Prof. Bedrosian will explain...
01-3
Format of the Course
 Some classes will begin with a 15-minute homework quiz based
on the homework due for that day.
 Instructor gives a short lecture covering new material for today.
about 20-30 minutes
 Teams and/or the instructor work on Problems of the Day based
on the new material.
about 10-15 minutes
 Teams work on an activity to reinforce the new material.
about 70-80 minutes
01-4
Our Expectations of You
 Come to class prepared and ready to learn. This includes
– Reading the assigned material for the day.
– Doing the homework problems.
– Going over the class notes before class.
– Paying attention to the professor and TA.
 Bring any problems you are having with the material to your
instructor or the course director as soon as possible.
 Respect your classmates, instructors, and yourself by maintaining
academic integrity at all times. (In other words, don’t cheat!)
The first occurrence of cheating will result in an F in Physics I!
01-5
Know Your Enemies
 TLDR
 MEGO
 Copycat
01-6
Activities
We will assign activity teams several times during the semester, usually
after each exam. Part of the learning experience is making your team
work efficiently. We expect all team members to participate actively.
Activities can include any or all of the following:
 Doing experiments and taking measurements.
 Analyzing video clips.
 Running simulations.
 Pencil and paper exercises.
Keep notes in your lab notebook during the activity. Each student is
responsible for submitting an individual activity write-up at the beginning
of the next class. These must be done on regular paper; paper torn from a
spiral notebook with ragged edges is not allowed.
Include: Name, section number, activity number, and date.
01-7
Observations, Analysis, Exercise
Observations: Always done in class and recorded in your lab notebook.
Analysis: Try to finish in class and record in your lab notebook.
Exercise: Like a homework problem; try to do or discuss in class.
Your write-up should be a concise but complete summary of the work in
your lab notebook that you did in class plus whatever of the Analysis or
Exercise you needed to finish at home.
Grading the activity is based on 10 points:
Observations = 3, Analysis = 4, Exercise = 3.
If you do not come to class, your activity grade for that day will be 0
unless you have a valid RPI excuse, in which case the activity does not
count for or against your grade but you are still responsible for all
material covered in class.
01-8
Activity Teams
Screen
Door
Door
1
2
3
4
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Windows
You will work on activities in teams of 3 people. We will be reassigning
teams several times during the semester. For now, you will team with the
people sitting near you according to this chart.
01-9
Exams
There will be three unit exams in Physics I (see schedule in the
syllabus). These are always given on Tuesday evenings (6-7:25) so
that everyone can take them at the same time. If you have a valid
RPI excuse for not taking the exam at the regular time, there are
conflict exams given the same evening. For special cases, individual
arrangements should be made with the course coordinator as far in
advance as possible.
If you have taken all three unit exams, the final exam is optional. If
you take it, we count it twice and drop the lowest single score to
calculate your exam average from your best four scores.
01-10
What We Look for When Grading
When we grade activities, quizzes, and exams, we are looking for correct
principles of physics, what physics equations you are using, and why.
The correct numerical answer to the problem is worth a small fraction of
the total grade. A correct numerical answer with no explanation or an
incorrect explanation is worth 0 points.
Multiple-choice questions on exams are exceptions to this rule. On
those, you either have the correct answer or you don't. Generally
speaking, multiple-choice questions are 24-32% of our exams.
01-11
Your Grade in Physics I
Your numerical grade in Physics I is based on the following formula:
Exam Grades:
65% (3 unit exam average or the best 4 out of the
the optional final counted twice plus 3 unit exams)
Homework Grade: 10% (electronic and quizzes)
Activity Grade:
25% (drop lowest activity)
Your letter grade is based on your numerical grade with no rounding,
using cut-offs that we determine after the final exam.
Last semester it was 90.00 to 100.00 = A, 80.00 to 89.99 = B etc.
It is highly unlikely that this semester will be different.
We do not plan to use grade modifiers (+ and –).
01-12
Tuesday Night Sessions
This semester, everyone is scheduled for a combined session from 67:50 on Tuesdays in room(s) to be announced. These sessions are for
tests, reviews, and extra homework discussions. Except for the tests,
attendance at these sessions is optional. We will update you on the
schedule for these sessions as the semester progresses.
01-13