Fullerton College
Division of Natural Sciences
Physics 221, Fall 2016
General Physics I – Mechanics (4 units)
Instructor: Brian Shotwell, bshotwell@fullcoll.edu
Office Hours Location: 415-P
Office Hours: M *9:00-10:00am.
Tu *9:00-10:00am, 12:00-1:00pm, 4:45-6:30pm, *5:00-5:30pm.
W *9:00-10:00am.
Th *9:00-10:00am, 12:00-1:00pm, *4:30-5:30pm, 4:45-6:30pm.
*Office hours marked with an asterisk are those provided by Dr. Crowell, another instructor of physics.
He will also hold office hours in 415-P.
Course Webpage: http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/bshotwell/phys221
Course Schedule: Lecture:
Mondays
9:35am-12:45pm (A)
1:30-4:40pm (B)
5:40-8:50pm (C)
P-413
Section IDs: 11321
(“A”); 13099 (“B”);
and 11325 (“C”).
Wednesdays
9:35am-12:45pm (A)
1:30-4:40pm (B)
5:40-8:50pm (C)
P-413
Lab:
Textbooks:
1. Sears and Zemansky's University Physics, 11th – 14th Edition by Young / Freedman.
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Any edition is fine for this class, but you might need the 14th edition for P222 and P223,
depending on the instructor.
You will NOT need MasteringPhysics for this class, but you might need it in the future (P222).
We will be using chapters 1-14 of the main textbook. Since we are only using a portion of the
1000+ page text, you could always buy a “Vol. 1” of the text. For example, you could buy
◦ http://www.amazon.com/University-Physics-Chapters-1-2012th/dp/0321500628/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1438813851&sr=1-3fkmr0&keywords=part+1+university+physics+young+freedman
2. Problems and Solutions in Introductory Physics, 1st Edition by David Morin
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This is a book of solved problems and quick summaries of the material. Some of the problems
are a little too difficult, but we will be using it in class often for examples. In general, you
should be able to do all of the multiple-choice problems, and I'll tell you which of the
“Problems” you should go over during class.
This is the book I'm talking about, but it's reasonably-priced at the FC bookstore so you should
probably just buy it there:
◦ https://www.amazon.com/Problems-Solutions-Introductory-MechanicsDavid/dp/1482086921
In all, you don't have to spend more than $40 on books for this class.
Course Information: Physics 221 is the first of a three-semester introductory physics sequence
intended for engineering and physical-science majors. This semester consists of a standard sequence of
mechanics, including units / estimation, vectors, kinematics, dynamics, energy/momentum
conservation, rotational motion, fluids, gravitation, and oscillations. We will follow the textbook's
order in the presentation of the topics (13th or 14th edition). If you have the 11th or 12th edition, take note
that the order in which we're covering the last three chapters is: fluids, gravitation, oscillations.
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of PHYS 221, students will be able to:
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Explain qualitative outcomes of various mechanics scenarios by applying deductive reasoning
with the appropriate laws and principles of physics.
Determine quantitative outcomes of various mechanics scenarios by applying algebra,
trigonometry, geometry, and calculus with the appropriate laws and principles of physics.
Investigate various mechanics scenarios experimentally and explain the results in terms of the
appropriate laws and principles of physics.
Organization of Class (Roughly):
Quiz / Lecture days (Mondays most weeks) will have the following schedule:
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20 minutes: Review HW Solutions; Last-Minute Practice.
50 minutes: Quiz
10 minutes: break.
1 hour, 50 minutes: Lecture; Group-work going over conceptual and problem-solving examples
(4-5 students each group).
Lab days (Wednesdays most weeks) will have the following schedule:
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10 minutes: Lab quiz (on same sheet as prelab; turn in both @ end of quiz).
1 hour: Lecture w/ examples and in-class participation.
10 minutes: break.
1 hour, 50 minutes: Lab (with a 5 minute introduction at the beginning).
Grading Policy: Your final course grade will be determined according to the following:
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20% Spotter Homework.
20% Labs (~2/3 from lab writeups / participation and ~1/3 from lab quizzes / prelabs).
40% Quizzes (best 12 out of 14 Quizzes; drop lowest two).
5% In-Class Responses / Participation Grade.
15% Final Exam.
More information about each component can be found in the following sections. Final grades will not
be determined until the end of the quarter. The A/B cutoff is usually in the low-80s (overall % for the
course), the B/C cutoff is usually around 70%, and the C / :( cutoff is usually in the high-50s.
Homework: Your homework grade (20%) will be based on problems from “Problems in Introductory
Physics” (http://www.lightandmatter.com/problems/). You will be submitting your answers via a free
online answer-checker called “Spotter” (also on the same website). You will have an infinite number of
tries to submit each answer, so if you put in the work, you should be able to get 100% on the HW. Note
that you do need to be logged into Spotter to get credit for your responses.
Read the book. The book makes sense and is reasonably concise. We will only cover
approximately one chapter a week, so this is not too difficult so long as you don't fall behind.
Discussion Board: We will use Piazza – an online course discussion board where you can ask / answer
questions about the course material (including homework). If you send me an email about a specific
problem, I will redirect you to Piazza. There are two clear benefits: (1) Everyone can see questions /
responses, which helps if you have the same question; and (2) students can help one another in case I
am not available. Link to sign up for the site: https://piazza.com/fullcoll/fall2016/phys221 . If you're
having trouble signing up, send me an email and I can send you an invitation to this exclusive club.
In-Class Response System / Participation Grade: Part of lectures will consist of (mostly conceptual)
questions given to the class, where you can discuss the problems with other students and respond via a
paper-adapted pre-technology system (lifting up pieces of paper with “1” – “5” on them).
So long as you're present (not late / don't disappear for 30+ minutes during the class) and participating,
you should be able to get the full 5% participation grade easily.
Labs: Most thursdays are “lab days.” When a lab is scheduled, you need to bring three things: the
writeup to the previous lab, the completed prelab (in your lab notebook), and a printout of the lab to
perform that day (the lab to print will be posted on the course website). Each lab will contain a small
quiz at the beginning of the lab to make sure you have read the lab.
Labs are worth 10-15 points each: 5-10 points for the lab writeup / participation (5 if no formal
write-up, 10 if a writeup is required), 2 points for the prelab question(s), and 3 points for the in-lab
quiz. Lab 1 is a little different from the rest of the labs:
• Lab 1 has no prelab. The in-lab quiz for lab 1 will test to make sure that you have read
Appendices 1-3 of http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/bshotwell/labappendices.pdf. The two points for
the prelab will be awarded if you come to lab with a lab notebook (a pad of graph paper).
• Labs 2+ have a prelab you need to complete before lab; the in-lab quizzes at the beginning of
class are designed to test to make sure that you have read the upcoming lab.
Quizzes / Final Exam: There will be 14 total quizzes plus one final exam; see the course schedule
below for the dates and content of the exams. Only your top 12 out of 14 quizzes will count for your
grade. There will not be any makeup tests (even for excused absences).
The quizzes will be a combination of 5 multiple choice questions (2 points each = 10 points)
and 1 free-response question (15 points), for a total of 25 points per quiz. The final exam will consist of
50 multiple-choice questions. You are allowed one 3.5” x 5” index card (front and back) for each quiz,
and it must be in your handwriting. If you don't feel like buying index cards, you can use a quarter of a
8.5” x 11” piece of paper. Really though, if you don't know the relevant equations by heart, you
probably need to do more practice problems. Graphing calculators are allowed, but nothing fancier than
a TI-89 (e.g., no laptops or cell phones). If you are uncertain about your calculator, then you should
check with the instructor before the first test to ensure it is allowed.
Scantrons are not required for the quizzes, but you will need one for the final exam. Also, for
the final exam, you are allowed two pages of handwritten notes (8.5” x 11”, both sides okay).
Academic Dishonesty: Please read the College Policies section of the Fullerton College General
Catalog. These rules will be enforced. For all exams and labs, cheating includes, but is not limited to:
submitting another person's work as your own, collaborating with another person during an exam,
copying from any person/source, and using any unauthorized materials or aids during exams.
Any instance of cheating will result in a zero for that quiz, homework, exam, or lab. Two instances of
cheating will be interpreted as a premeditated ongoing scheme and possibly result in an F in the course.
TWO LABS SHOULD NOT HAVE THE SAME PHRASING. IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME WHEN ONE
PERSON HAS PLAGERIZED ANOTHER STUDENTS' LAB. DO NOT DO THIS. You may talk
about the lab with someone, but when it comes time to writing the report, you should be doing it solo.
Scantrons:
1. On the first day of class, you will take a pre-test on material you will see throughout the course;
on the test will be a 3-digit number. This “Test Number” / “Exam Code” is your identity for
the course – it is the only way for me to post grades online anonymously. Results to exams,
labs, etc. will be posted on the course webpage by this exam code number. Remember this
number for the rest of the course – put it in your phone, tattoo it to your arm, whatever.
2. You will have to provide your own scantron form for the final exam. It is scantron form 882-E.
These are green and sold at the Fullerton College bookstore. You must also bring a #2 pencil to
the final exam – scantrons filled out in pen will not be accepted.
3. You will not need a scantron for the 14 quizzes throughout the semester.
Here's a sample of what the scantron looks like:
Course Schedule, page 1 of 2 (tentative; subject to change):
Week / Date
Topics
Sections in Young / Freedman 13th
or 14th Ed. (to cover in lecture
portion of class)
WEEK 1
Monday, August 22
Wednesday, August 24
Introduction, Units and Estimation
1.1-1.6
Lab 1: Measurement, Uncertainty, and Estimation
1.7-1.10
WEEK 2
Monday, August 29
Wednesday, August 31
Quiz 1 / Chapter 1 (Measurement &
Estimation)
One-Dimensional Kinematics
Lab 2: The Local Gravitational Field
2.1-2.3, 2.6
2.4-2.5
WEEK 3
Monday, September 5
NO CLASS (LABOR DAY)
Wednesday, September 7 Motion in 2D: Vectors, Relative Motion
(No Lab) One-Dimensional Kinematics Examples,
Group Presentations
N/A
WEEK 4
Monday, September 12
Quiz 2 / Chapter 2 (Motion in 1D)
Motion in 2D: Freely-Falling Bodies
Wednesday, September 14 Lab 3: Measuring x(t), v(t), a(t)
3.1-3.5
3.1-3.5
WEEK 5
Monday, September 19
Quiz 3 / Chapter 2 (Motion in 1D)
Newton's First and Second Laws
Wednesday, September 21 (No lab). N3L / Applying NLs Group
Presentations
4.1-4.4, 4.6
4.5, 5.1-5.2
WEEK 6
Monday, September 26
Quiz 4 / Chapter 4: Newton's Laws: Basics
Applying Newton's Laws pt. 2
Wednesday, September 28 Lab 4: Newton's Second Law
5.1-5.5
5.4-5.5
WEEK 7
Monday, October 3
Wednesday, October 5
Quiz 5 / Chapter 5: Applying Newton's Laws
Work-Energy Theorem
6.1-6.2
Lab 5: Conservation of Energy
6.3-6.4
Quiz 6 / Chapter 6: Work and Kinetic Energy
Potential Energy and Energy Conservation
7.1-7.3
(No lab). Cons. Of Energy Group Presentations
7.4-7.5
WEEK 8
Monday, October 10
Wednesday, October 12
Course Schedule, page 2 of 2 (tentative; subject to change):
Week / Date
Topics
Sections in Young / Freedman 13th
or 14th Ed. (to cover in lecture
portion of class)
WEEK 9
Monday, October 17
Wednesday, October 19
Quiz 7 / Chapter 7: Conservation of Energy
Momentum, Impulse, and Collisions
8.1-8.5
Lab 6: Conservation of Momentum
8.1-8.5
Quiz 8 / Chapter 8: Impulse / Momentum
Rotation of Rigid Bodies
9.1-9.3
Lab 7: Torque
9.3-9.6
WEEK 10
Monday, October 24
Wednesday, October 26
WEEK 11
Monday, October 31
Quiz 9 / Chapter 9: Rotation of Rigid Bodies
Dynamics of Rotational Motion
Wednesday, November 2 (No lab). Rotational Dynamics Presentations
10.1-10.4
10.5-10.6
WEEK 12
Monday, November 7
Quiz 10 / Chapter 10: Dynamics of Rotation
Dynamics of Rotational Motion
Wednesday, November 9 Lab 8: Angular Momentum / Moment of Inertia
11.1-11.3
11.1-11.3
WEEK 13
Monday, November 14
Quiz 11 / Chapter 11: Static Equilibrium
Fluid Statics, Fluid Dynamics
Wednesday, November 16 Lab 9: Fluids
12.1-12.3
12.4-12.6
WEEK 14
Monday, November 21
Quiz 12 / Chapter 12: Fluids
Gravitation – Kepler's Laws, Newton's Law
Wednesday, November 23 (No Lab). Finish Gravity, Work on HW
13.1-13.5, 13.7
13.1-13.5, 13.7
WEEK 15
Monday, November 28
Quiz 13 / Chapter 13: Gravity
Oscillations
Wednesday, November 30 Lab 10: Oscillations
14.1-14.3
14.4-14.7
FINALS WEEK
Monday, December 5
Quiz 14 / Chapter 14: Oscillations
Practice Finals: Work in Class (print beforehand!)
Wednesday, December 7
Final Exam
(all of the above)