Physics 223 – Physics II – Spring 2016
Instructor
Dr. Joseph W. Howard - “Joe”
Office/Phone: Henson Science Hall 305C, 410-548-5393
eMail: jwhoward@salisbury.edu
Office Hours: MWF 1 – 2:00p.m., TR 10:30 – 11:30a.m
Class Hours: MWF 11:00a.m. – 12:40p.m.
Textbook
Physics: For Scientists & Engineers, 9th Edition, Serway & Jewett
(Thomson: Brooks/Cole, 2014). The textbook will be used as a
reference, rather than to structure the course. Homework assignments
and readings will come from the textbook.
Course Description, Objectives, & Policies
Description
Continuation of introductory physics. Topics include: electrostatics, current and resistance, DC and
AC circuit analysis, magnetic fields, induction, electromagnetic waves and geometrical and wave
optics. Prerequisite: PHYS 221 (Physics I), Pre/Co-requisite: and MATH 202 (Calculus II)
Student Learning Goals
1. Continue to Develop a Good Functional Understanding of Physics
The goal of physics is to understand the physical universe. An understanding of the subjects
covered in the class will help prepare those of you who plan on a career that includes a thorough
knowledge and understanding physics. Beyond that, an understanding of the physical principles
may help you perceive the world around you in a more comprehensible, enjoyable, and
fascinating way.
2. Demonstrate an Ability to Think Critically, Logically, & Analytically When Solving
Problems
In order to solve a problem, you must critically examine the information available in a given
situation, determine an effective method to approach the problem, and carry through to the
solution, including a critical examination of the final answer to see if it is reasonable. To
understand a physical situation and to solve physics problems requires the ability to use
mathematical expressions that are solvable and that represent the situation. Students should be
able to see the linkage between the math used to that of the physical principles involved. These
skills are not only essential to solving problems in physics, but to solving problems in general,
and are applicable to many situations in many different environments.
3. Understand the Factors for Determining the Strengths & Interactions of Electric and
Magnetic Forces
Gravitational, electric, and magnetic phenomena have been known for centuries. The causes
of these interactions of matter lie deep in the atomic structure of matter. We study these forces
because they are ultimately some of the most basic fundamental forces of matter’s interactions
within the universe which we inhabit. From these forces arise all previous ideas of “force” that
were studied in Physics I.
4. Understand & Analyze the Physics of Electricity & Designed Electrical Circuits
Every day we make use of a wide variety of electronic devices most of which we take for
granted. By simply pushing buttons we can turn on lights, computers, televisions, and stereos.
Most of us realize that these devices require electricity in order to operate properly, but do not
ever stop to think about what electricity is. An exploration of electricity and electrical circuits will
give the student an appreciation for and an understanding of the physical phenomenon that
works modern electrical devices.
5. Understand the Properties & Interactions of Electromagnetic Waves
Waves are everywhere. Whether we recognize or not, we encounter mechanical and
electromagnetic waves on a daily basis. Simply, a wave is a disturbance which transports
energy. We study the physics of waves because it provides a rich glimpse into the physical world
which we seek to understand and describe as physicists especially since waves become a very
important aspect of modern physics theories that students will explore after an introductory
physics course.
Policies





Attendance: Attendance is required at all classes. You must notify the instructor in advance if
you are unable to attend.
Cell Phones: Please turn off your cell phones during the class lecture. You may not talk or
text on the phones in the classroom during lecture.
Writing Requirement: Students will be required to complete writing assignments given as
homework and in laboratory write-ups.
Calculators: You will often need to use a calculator for quizzes and exams. Using a
preprogrammed calculator in a quiz or exam to store information not available to the entire
class, including solutions or equations, is considered cheating. You cannot use a
cellphone/smartphone as a calculator.
Students with Disabilities: Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent
him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact me personally as soon
as possible so that we can discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation in
this class and facilitate educational opportunities.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is at the heart of education because there is no doubt that honor and the quest
for knowledge are inexorably intertwined. Salisbury University is an academic community dedicated
to the achievement of intellectual growth where the pursuit of freely exchanged ideas and active
study is an essential element of academic excellence and development. Students and faculty are
expected to meet the highest possible standards of personal, ethical, and moral academic conduct.
These standards require personal integrity, a commitment to honesty without compromise, as well as
truth without equivocation. Academic trust means respecting these truths and principles, without
which no university can exist. Academic Dishonesty: This instructor adheres to the policy of
academic dishonesty as it appears in the college catalog and outlined in the student handbook.
A Word About Physics
This is a physics class and, therefore, it has similarities to all other physics classes. Physics
is a conceptual and mathematical science and will require using mathematics and mental models
as tools for solving problems. For some students, the math serves as an obstacle to learning
physics. I highly recommend that you become very comfortable with the symbols and
mathematics described in the appendices (A, B) in the text before progressing any farther into
the semester.
Some students believe that if they can follow the lectures in class, then they have learned
physics. This is not true. To learn physics, a student must do a significant amount of work
outside of class thinking about, and interacting with, the course material. No one ever learns
physics by simply reading about it or listening to someone talk about it. You learn it by making
the effort to understand the material, building mental pictures, and by solving problems using the
principles learned. The standard requirement in a college class is that you spend two hours
outside class working on the material for every hour in class. Since this is a four-hour class, you
should plan on spending at least eight hours per week outside of class interacting with the
material and solving problems. Few students will be able to succeed in this class without
investing that amount of time.
Finally, physics is an objective science. Problems assigned in physics will usually have
objective answers. Consequently, grading standards tend to remain high in physics and other
science classes.
Course Philosophy.
I want you to enjoy Physics 223. The material we will be covering is fascinating and
applicable. Its implications can be observed in almost everything you interact with everyday. In
order to make this class as interesting and useful as possible, I will need to get feedback from
you. Please feel free to ask questions in class and to come by my office during office hours.
During the semester, I will give you opportunities to write a summary of which concepts are
difficult, and of which you find interesting.
As stated earlier, you can only learn physics by personally interacting with the material and
solving problems. Consequently, I emphasize three methods of learning in this class:
1. Reading and thinking about the assigned material before it is discussed in class.
2. Solving problems using the physics concepts and principles.
3. Discussing the material and solving problems in class, including working with your
classmates.
Thinking about problems and solving them on a regular basis will allow you to learn and
appreciate the subject matter in a natural way, without having to cram everything at the last
moment. Remember that this is a four-hour class so you should spend about eight hours per
week outside class interacting with the material.
Course Structure & Assignments
The course will be divided into subject modules and may consist of the following graded
assignments:
1.
2.
3.
4.
In-class activities
Preparation Questions
Homework Problems
Quiz or Midterm Exam or Final
Before each module begins, I will distribute a detailed description of the material and
problems covered during the module. A calendar listing the tentative due dates for course
subject material is attached as the last page of this syllabus. The calendar may be revised at
the discretion of the professor.
Group Work
Occasionally, classroom groups may be created during the semester. The groups will allow
you to work together with your peers to understand the material. Group activities will include
discussion of homework, as well as working on other problems designed to help you understand
the material. All activities in the groups will be cooperative, not competitive. A good group
member is not necessarily one who knows the answers. A good group member is one who
comes prepared and regularly participates in the work, enters into the spirit of trying to help his
or her fellow group members answer questions, work problems, and better understand the
material.
Activity Notebook
In-class work will be assembled neatly and chronologically in an activity notebook. This
notebook will also be used for some student course feedback. Most of the topics covered in this
class are challenging. The notebook will be collected bi-weekly usually at the end of the week.
Preparation Questions
Written answers to the preparation questions are due at the beginning of the class period.
These questions are designed to help you come to class prepared to take part in the discussions
and activities of the day. You will have to read the assigned readings before coming to class in
order to answer the preparation questions.
Homework
Homework assignments will be given assigned as the semester proceeds. The homework
will consist of about 5 – 15 problems assigned mostly from the text. Homework will be due by
5:00 p.m. on the date specified. It may be turned in during lecture or deposited in the box outside
my office. Here are some suggestions for how to get the most knowledge and help out of the
homework:



Read the problems as soon as you get them. You don’t have to spend any time
working on them; just think about them as you read and study the material.
Don’t procrastinate!! You will have at least a week to work on the problems. Don’t
wait until the last minute to do them. In particular, you will have an opportunity to
ask questions in class to help you further understand the problems. Many students
find that it is very helpful to attempt the problems even before the material is
discussed in the class lecture.
Ask Questions!! If you are having problems with the homework, seek help!! You
may discuss the problems with your classmates as well as with me during office
hours.
Although you may discuss the homework with your classmates, all work handed in
must be your own. Copying another person’s work is plagiarism, and will be considered
cheating. I encourage you to talk with others in order for you to get a general understanding of
the work. However, each person must work out detailed solutions of the problems individually.
Doing the homework is the best way to prepare for the quizzes and exams, since test questions
will be similar to problems assigned for homework.
Active Participation
Because learning requires active participation, and not just passive listening, we will be doing
various activities in the classroom that involve student participation. These activities will help the
student learn and give the instructor valuable feedback on how well the students have mastered
the course material. The exact nature of this participation will be described in more detail at the
time the assignments are given.
Physics Learning Portfolio
You will assemble a portfolio from a selection of your work from this course. The portfolio will
include a reflection on your work and learning from the semester. More details will be provided at
a later date. IMPORTANT: Please save every bit of your work for this course (homework,
exams, quizzes, activities, journal writings, etc) – you might want it for your course
portfolio!!
Exams & Final
Midterm exams will cover material from approximately two to four weeks worth of subject
material. There will be four mid-semester exams, each of which will include a laboratory practical
part. The final will be comprehensive, covering material from the entire semester. The best
preparation for these tests is a thorough understanding of the material and an understanding of
the problems done for homework.
Grading
3 Midterm Exams (3 x 14%)
Homework Assignments & Preparation Questions
In Class Activities
Physics Learning Portfolio
Final Comprehensive Exam
42%
20%
14%
8%
16%
------ Total = 100%
** Grade Scale: The following criteria will be used for determining letter grades:





90 -100% = A: Superior Work. Student demonstrates a thorough and complete
understanding of the subject.
80 - 89% = B: Excellent Work. Student demonstrates an above average
understanding of the subject.
70 - 79% = C: Good Work. Student demonstrates an average understanding of the
material.
60 - 69% = D: Fair Work. Student demonstrates below average understanding of
the material and has completed most of assignments.
0 - 59% = F: Unsatisfactory Work. Student does not demonstrate and adequate
understanding of the subject and has not turned in all assignments.
Inclement Weather
In case of inclement weather, call the Gull Line at 410-546-6426 for weather related closing
information or check the Salisbury University web page.
Important Notice
If your Physics 223 grade will affect any of the following: 1) whether you receive or retain a
scholarship (athletic or otherwise); 2) your eligibility to participate in any university sponsored
activity; 3) your standing with your fraternity, sorority, the university, or any other student
organization; NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME CONCERNED - NOT AT FINAL EXAM OR
AFTER FINAL GRADES HAVE BEEN DETERMINED!! Please do not wait until the last minute,
when it will be too late for anyone to help you! Also remember, we are here to learn knowledge
and most of all have FUN!!
Tentative Schedule
Module
Dates
Content& Concepts
Selected
from
Chapters
1
1/25 – 2/19
ELECTRIC FIELDS
23, 24, 25
Fri. 2/19
Exam 1
2/22 – 3/11
ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS
Fri. 3/11
Exam 2 (& Circuits Practical)
3
3/13 – 4/8
MAGNETIC FIELDS
29, 30, 31
4
4/10 – 4/22
LIGHT & GEOMETRIC OPTICS
34, 35, 36
Fri. 4/22
Exam 3
4/25 – 5/6
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
& WAVE OPTICS
5/9
OVERVIEW AND REVIEW
2
5
26, 27, 28
16, 18, 34, 37,
38
Detailed schedules will be provided for each learning module.
Final Exam Wednesday 5/18 at 10:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m