Using Physics to Understand the World:
The Physics of Everyday Life
Physics 1010: Dr. Eleanor Hodby
Day 1:
Introductions / Welcome
Physics is EVERYWHERE in everyday life
• We live in an increasingly technological society
• Example: Sending a message over the last century
Reminders:
Register Your Clickers
Reading for Thurs: Sec 1.1 Bloomfield
HW1 available on D2L
Scientific questions affect your life…
- Is climate change a serious problem?
- Will there still be skiing in Colorado when you’re
my age?
- Could the evolution of viruses cause many healthy
college-age people to die?
- What sources of energy are the best choices?
These questions
involve life and death!
• Today, EVERYONE needs a basic grasp of science for a successful
society
• This class will improve your judgment to make good decisions on
scientific topics.
Course Goals
1. To have an interesting class that covers physics.
2. To begin to see science in everyday life.
3. To understand that the universe is predictable rather than
incomprehensible.
4. To see that science (particularly physics) is based on
quantitative experiments.
5. To learn to think logically in order to solve new problems.
Every student to learn everything
If its not important we took it out!
Learning physics –Essential resources
Maths……
• This course is NOT an exercise in mathematics…
• However we will use basic maths as a tool for understanding
the world around us
- High school algebra (pre-requisite)
- Graphs
- Scientific notation
- NO trigonometry
• Basic calculator needed for every class, test, homework
1010 Team:
Lecturer: Dr. Eleanor Hodby
TA: Kurt Hill
LAs: Luke Degregori, Cassia Maux
Textbook: Bloomfield, ‘How things work’,
4th edition – cheaper :0)
Website: http://www.colorado.edu/physics/phys1010/
• Contains everything you need to know about the course
(Syllabus, contact info, deadlines, dates, pre-class notes…).
• Check website regularly
D2L:
•Homeworks (online)
•Exam solutions
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Learning physics – Important points
Reference copy of Bloomfield
• Available behind desk in Maths library
• Must stay in library (2 hour use)
• Maths building at intersection of Colorado and Folsom!
1.People understand concepts better by seeing them
in action, thinking about them and using them
themselves (DOING) than by passively listening.
2. Understanding physics (& solving problems that develop understanding)
is a learned skill, like cooking, or playing basketball.
Everyone can do it, but takes courage, time, effort, and practice.
3. People learn best by thinking about topics and discussing them with
others.
4. Students learn most when they take the responsibility for what is
learned.
We cannot teach you physics!
Physics is not collection of facts.
Is way of thinking. Only you can teach yourself to think!
Analyzing, applying concepts, solving problems.
Learning physics – Important points
We can provide you with content, demonstrations, problems,
guidance, organization, etc. to help you learn.
Reward activities and efforts conducive to your learning (grades)
We believe that it is important that
EVERYONE has a grasp of the physics
in our everyday lives
We will work to try and help you learn.
But also takes work on your part!
Features of Physics 1010
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1. Lectures
• Lectures will be interactive and hopefully fun.
- Lots of great demos
- Sit near the front for best view
- Balconies are out of bounds for this course
• Preclass notes will be posted on course website by
Monday/Wednesday morning of each week
(Suggest you bring these skeleton notes to take notes on)
Complete copies of the lecture notes will NOT be available.
• Bring pre-class notes, calculator and clicker to every lecture
• Questions and discussion (with me!) during class is encouraged
- At least half the class will be wondering the same thing.
- Please yell if I don’t see your hand up.
Lectures
Clicker questions
Weekly reading quiz
Weekly online homework assignments
3 in class exams plus final (no mid-term
evening exams)
1. Lectures
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Lecture will be available online at:
http://cu-classcapture.colorado.edu/Mediasite/Catalog/Full/81c0a3736ce941988adec3d50ed3655f21
(link available on lecture notes page of 1010 website)
• Sometimes the first row is captured by the camera. Sit a little
further back if that really bothers you….but not too far back!
• Log on using your CU login name and identikey
• These recordings are NOT a substitute for attending lectures but
a useful back-up/review resource.
• Throwing of rotten fruit is discouraged.
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2. Clickers
Discussing physics questions
• You will use YOUR clicker in EVERY class
• Enables you to answer MC questions throughout
lecture
• Forces you to process/understand information as
we go along
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Discussion of clicker questions with your neighbors is encouraged.
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On Thursday, pick a seat for the semester
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Form a clicker group for the semester with 2-3 people around you
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LAs will be circulating the room to facilitate such discussions: Use them!
• Helps to keep you awake
• Gives me instant feedback about what you
do/don’t understand
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Tips for a good group discussion
Clicker details
Take turns being the first one to talk
Once you all agree on the answer, don’t stop!
– Always go over each wrong answer and explain why it is
wrong
– Even if your group-mate has said something very clearly and
correctly, it’s a good idea to repeat it yourself
• “So, what I think you said was, …”
• Might seem pointless, but your brain will remember better
if YOU say it too (active learning)
• Purchase from CU bookstore (may be needed for other
classes)
• REGISTER your clicker at myCUinfo
• If you have registered a clicker on myCUinfo for another class
then you are set
• At start of each lecture switch clicker code to BA
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Wait until I have my laptop connected up
Hold down ON/OFF switch for 4 seconds
At flashing blue light hit BA
Answer question
You are set for the rest of class
Do not turn off clicker for rest of class or you will have to repeat above
for each question
• You are not locked into your first response.
Clicker warnings
• YOU are responsible for bringing your own, working and
registered clicker to class
• Use only YOUR clicker. Responding with another student’s
clicker is a violation of the honor code and WILL be reported
• Put your contact info on your clicker incase you lose it.
Clicker grading
• Two points for participation (answer all questions…so don’t
be late!)
• 0-2 graded questions per lecture.
• Your 3 lowest in class scores will be thrown out at the end of
the semester. This covers:
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Class absence due to illness
Forgotten clicker
Clicker not working
Martian stole clicker etc etc
Don’t waste these ‘throw outs’ALL other scores will count…period.
• Scoring starts Thursday!
• Check you have clicker points on your D2L grades page over
the weekend. If not your clicker isn’t registered/working
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To learn physics and do well in this class, I
expect to spend ?…… working on physics
outside of class.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
3. Reading Quiz
• Reading assignments for following week advertised on
website and in lecture
• 3 clicker questions at start of Tuesday lecture
• 1pt per correct answer
• Very easy if you have done the reading
• First quiz next Tuesday
• This week’s reading
- Section 1.1 (Skating) by Thursday
- Section 1.2 (Falling Balls)
By Tuesday
Section 1.3 (p.24-28) (Ramps)
Less than 2 hours per week
2-4 hours per week
4-6 hours per week
6-8 hours per week
8+ hours per week
Homework on D2L
• Log into your D2L account
4. Homework Assignments
• Click on Homework 1 on front page
• Homework assignments will be posted and submitted electronically on D2L.
• After answering each question click ‘Save’
• You can close the browser and return to carry on at any point.
• Available by Monday morning – read through before lectures
• When you are COMPLETELY FINISHED, then press SUBMIT (multiple times).
• Close the following Monday at 10pm.
• You can only submit the assignment ONCE.
• Answers and complete grades will be posted on D2L after grading is complete,
typically by Wednesday night
• It is YOUR responsibility to successfully submit your HW before the deadline.
If it isn’t submitted, it is late and will not be graded.
• Each Homework will be worth ~20-24 pts.
• Do NOT leave it to the last second to submit your homework. Something will go wrong!
• Target time investment is 4+ hours per week
• NO late homeworks can be accepted.
• 2 lowest HW scores dropped. No other adjustments. Do not waste these you will need them if you are ill later in the semester
• Answers and complete grades will be available on D2L once grading has been done.
• Grades: Go to ‘Assessments’ and then ‘grades’
• Answers: ‘Assessments’, then ‘quizzes’.
Scroll down to past quizzes
Click on ‘submissions’ next to relevant HW and then ‘attempt 1’
Homework 1 due Monday 8/31 at 10pm!
Note that long answer solutions are found under ‘View Feedback’.
Check that you can access the HW 1 today. Go to office hours if you need help with D2L!
Physics basement
Homework help!
HR
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Problem solving sessions
– Location: Back of Physics Helproom (G2B90)
– Times: Monday 3-4pm, Friday 3-5pm
– Come and work on homework with your classmates!
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G2B90
Office/helproom hours
– EH: Thursday 12.30-1.30pm, physics helproom
– KH: Monday 2-3pm, physics helproom
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Physics Helproom
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Staffed 9-5 by grad students and faculty
Write name on board under ‘other’. Put (1010) next to it
Best to go at quiet times or when Phys 1010 team are there.
Everyone belongs there, not just physics majors – heck, its free tutoring!
Important note
• Please take note of all the free individual help available with
this class
• Variations in background and ease of understanding guarantee
that material is not at the perfect level for everyone
• Easily fixed by coming to office hours /help sessions and
discussing.
• Easily turned into constant confusion and frustration by not
keeping up!
• Be honest about what you do/don’t understand. Seeking help
from the 1010 learning team will NEVER EVER negatively
affect your grade
2 bonus clicker points for attending LA HW help session in the first 3 weeks!
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Example of HW answer
Collaboration vs. Plagiarism
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Collaboration encouraged
Once you understand an idea write it down in your own words.
Representing ANYONE else’s work as your own is cheating.
If two answers are identical, both will get zero
Cheating will lead to failing the class.
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Q: I drop a egg A from a height of 1 m and egg B from a height of 2m.
Which is travelling faster when it reaches the floor?
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Physical principle: Conservation of energy
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How applies: Initial gravitational potential energy (related to height of
egg) = final kinetic energy (related to speed of egg)
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How reach answer: initial PE = mgh
Final KE = 0.5 mv2
 mgh = 0.5mv2
m and g the same for each egg. If PE = KE, then bigger h means
bigger v.
Egg B dropped from 2m will be travelling faster.
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Clarity:
– Include every step of your argument or calculations
– BUT keep it succinct – don’t woffle
CU Honor Code
Useful handout on ‘ a logical approach to problem solving’ available on
course homepage
5. Exams
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3 Midterm exams in class
– Thursdays: Sept 17, Oct 15, Nov 12
– All Multiple choice, 80 points
– Lowest score dropped
Final grades
Final grades are based on the total number of points earned throughout the semester
In-class Qs (Clickers)
In-class Reading Quizzes
Homeworks
– Not possible to miss more than one midterm
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Final
– Monday Dec 14th, 1.30-4pm
– Mandatory
– Cumulative
– Format to be decided
Hour Exams
Final Exam
80 pts
80 pts
x3
x1
(Lowest dropped)
Tentative 1010 topics
Final grades 2
(See course calendar on website)
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• Most important for good grade is do all the assignments!
- Missing class and homework put you in danger of failing, no matter
how well you do on the exams!
- Do all assignments well, it will be OK, even if exams are not your forte!
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• Lowest hour exam, 2 lowest weekly homework score and 3 lowest in-class
scores (reading / clickers) will be thrown out.
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- Covers illness, car wrecks, computer crash, forgetting etc.,
- You can miss two week’s homework, one week of class, and one exam
without penalty.
- No other exemptions/allowances
- Don’t waste early in course, you will probably need later!
2-4 pts x 25
(Lowest 3 dropped)
3 pts
x ~12
~20-24 pts x ~11 (Lowest 2 dropped)
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Section 1:
– Motion (x, v, a, t) and how to describe it
– Forces (friction)
Section 2:
– Energy and work (water distribution systems)
– Sound (violins)
Section 3:
– Light or electromagnetic radiation (Lightbulbs, sun, greenhouse effect)
– Static electricity (Lightening)
– Electrical circuits (Flashlights, house wiring)
Section 4:
– Electromagnetic waves (radio, microwave ovens)
– Fluorescent lights
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