PH203
Spring 2012
Western Oregon University
Instructor Information
Name: William Schoenfeld
E-mail: schoenfeldw@wou.edu
Office: Natural Science 209, (503) 838-8165
Lab: Natural Science 217
Office Hours: Mon 11-12 (NS209), Wed 10-11 (NS209), Thurs 9-10 & 3-4 (NS217), Fri 10-11 (NS209), or by
appointment. My schedule is as follows:
Time
Monday
8:00 – 9:00
Prep
PH203
NS101
9:00 – 10:00
10:00 –
11:00
11:00 –
12:00
12:00 – 1:00
1:00 – 2:00
Prep
Office Hour
NS209
PH 213
NS217
↓
2:00 – 3:00
3:00 – 4:00
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Prep
PH203
NS101
Office Hour
NS209
Office Hour
NS 217
PH203 Lab
NS 217
Prep
PH203
NS101
Office Hour
NS209
Education
Prep
↓
Prep
Research
PH 213
NS217
Off Campus
↓
Climate
Change
PH 213
NS217
PH203 Lab
NS 217
↓
↓
Office Hour
NS 217
4:00 – 5:00
Basic Course Information
Title: General Physics – 4 credit hours
Course Description: This is the last term of a three-term sequence of introductory algebra-based college
physics. This term focuses on electromagnetism and light. Specific topics include: the Electric Field,
Electric Potential, circuits, Magnetic forces and Fields, Electromagnetic Induction, Electromagnetic
Waves, Wave Optics and Ray Optics.
Math Prerequisites: MTH111 (College Algebra), and MTH112 (Trigonometry) – preferred
You’ll have a brief math refresher assignment the first week of class to make sure you can solve basic
algebraic problems like two equations and two unknowns, the quadratic formula, etc., but beyond that it is
expected that you can use math to solve problems.
Lecture: MWF 9:00 – 9:50 am in NS 101
Lab & Recitation: Lab section 1: Thursday 10 - 12, Lab section 2: Thursday 1-3 in NS 217
Class Materials: PDF’s of all course materials can be found at www.wou.edu/~schoenfw/PH203
Course Materials
Textbook: College Physics, by Knight, Jones & Field, Prentice Hall
Online Homework System: Mastering Physics
There are two options you'll have for textbooks this year for physics 201/202/203.
The class will require the purchase of two things: a textbook (technically this is optional, but highly
recommended), and access to the online homework system called Mastering Physics. Available at the
bookstore is a bundled package from the publisher that contains the brand new second edition of the
textbook, along with an access code for Mastering Physics. It will cost around $240, but will be used for
all three terms. Since the second edition is brand new, you will be able to sell your textbook at the end of
the year if you so desire. The second option (cheaper initially) would be to buy the older 1st edition of the
textbook. The bookstore cannot get old editions from the publisher, and is unlikely to hold onto copies
that have limited worth. The first edition is virtually identical to the second edition, and is a perfectly
acceptable substitute. You'll save some money, but will have to get them own your own. (Used copies
should be available on campus.) Note however, if you buy the first edition you most likely be unable to
sell it at the end of the year. In addition you will need to purchase Mastering Physics directly at the
publisher’s website www.prenhall.com, it will cost around $60 for the year. The information for the first
edition of the textbook is:
College Physics: A Strategic Approach, 1st Edition
Knight, Jones, & Field, Prentiss Hall, ISBN-10 080530634X
The second edition is:
College Physics: A Strategic Approach, 2nd Edition
Knight, Jones, & Field, Prentiss Hall, ISBN-10 0321595491
There will be at least two copies of the textbook available for your use in the physics lab; make sure they
stay there for everyone’s use.
Calculator: You will need a calculator for lecture, lab and exams. Any scientific calculator with trig, log,
and exponential functions should be adequate; you do not need a graphing calculator. Devices with
Internet access may not be used for exams.
Grading Information
Exam I
Exam II
Final Exam
Online Homework
Lab Score
Total points available
100 points
100 points
200 points
250 points
100 points
750 points
Exams
Exams will consist of material covered in the textbook. The material will be mostly discussed in either
lecture or lab, but given the pace of the course, some material will not get full coverage in either. It is the
students’ responsibility to ensure that they have comprehended all the assigned material. Exams will have
both conceptual and computational components. Exams will be closed book exams, but students will be
allowed to bring one page of notes. Each exam (throughout the academic year) will focus mostly on the
material covered since the last exam, but will be somewhat comprehensive in the fact that material
covered on previous exams will be needed for subsequent chapters.
Computational questions will require multiple steps to be performed for the student to earn both full
credit, and partial credit, in the event of incorrect answers. A complete orderly solution should include:
diagrams & figures, identifying the known’s and the unknowns, stating any assumptions you make,
identifying valid equations and conserved quantities, displaying all significant mathematical steps,
underlined final answer with appropriate units.
Online Homework – Mastering Physics
Weekly homework will be assigned on the website www.masteringphysics.com, and will give you the
practice you need to learn physics. If you purchase the text new (2nd edition) it will come with a valid
student access code to the website. Otherwise you have to purchase an access code directly from the
publisher (www.masteringphysics.com). Your access will remain valid for one year. Mastering Physics is
both homework and grading system, as well as an online interactive tutor. It has the ability to give hints
(when requested) and provide specific wrong answer feedback to help you arrive at the correct answer. As
the instructor, I have the ability to set the number of hints, and the number of attempts you will be
afforded for each problem. The online homework is meant to help you develop problem-solving skills in
physics. The course ID is: MPSCHOENFELD23874, you should enroll in this online course as soon as
possible as there are two tutorial assignments already posted.
Lab
Each week we will meet for a 2-hour combined lab & recitation session. Our work will include: physics
review sheets, solving group problems, investigating various physical phenomena by experimentation,
and having interactive demonstrations. Sometimes there will be pre-lab activities due upon arrival;
sometimes there will be post session activities to be turned in the following week. The physics lab is our
opportunity to explore concepts in depth and to develop a sound foundation for physical reasoning. In an
attempt to mix things up, I will routinely partner break up established groups, so that you have the chance
to work with as diverse group of classmates as possible. Since the lab sections are full, please report only
to the section in which you are registered. During the course of the year we will work with a multitude of
electronic sensors, which will allow us to make measurements and interpret data in a fraction of the time
it might have taken in years past. It is imperative that everyone learns how to use the computer interface
and accompanying software. The end of term lab final will assess whether or not you became proficient in
using this important laboratory tool. Each student is expected to keep a 3 ring binder in which they will
keep all their lab work. Periodically throughout the term, and during the last week of classes, I will collect
the binders to make sure you have completed your work. I won’t have the time to thoroughly grade every
section of every activity, so you should check my solutions.
Lecture Format
Physics education research suggests that the standard mode of professors lecturing and students acting as
scribes recording the information presented is perhaps the least effective way to learn physics. Whether
you’ve studied physics before or not, you enter the classroom with a lifetime’s worth of ideas about the
laws that the universe obeys. Research has shown that most of you come here with long held
misconceptions that need to be changed in order for you to fully succeed in this course. (Don’t feel
embarrassed, Newtonian Mechanics as it is known, is very counter intuitive, it wasn’t understood until
Newton in the 17th Century, and his work was based on the work of Galileo & Descartes.) So, rather than
me telling you the rules, I’ll ask you to predict what will happen if we perform a specific experiment, and
observe the results. After the class has chimed in, we’ll see what nature does, and you’ll construct the
rules for yourself. I’ll be the guide to shepherd along the journey. For this to be both successful, and fun,
I’ll need two things from you. You come to class ready to challenge yourself (and others) by actively
participating, and that you keep up with your reading in the textbook.
Time Commitments
Unlike most other university science classes, this is not a knowledge-based course (although there is some
knowledge to be acquired). You will not have to memorize many facts. (In fact everything you learn in all
three terms can easily fit on one sheet of paper.) Physics is a skilled-based course. The amazing thing
about physics is that one can reduce most physical phenomena to a relatively small number of
fundamental interactions. Our goal is show how objects that are orders of magnitude different in size, are
in fact governed by the same basic laws. Thus we’ll be looking for similar patterns in how things behave.
Accordingly, we’ll strive to fully understand just a limited number of concepts, but this will require a
good bit of practice on your part. The general rule of thumb for a university science course is to spend 2
to 3 hours of time outside of class for every hour you spend in class. You will need to read the text,
participate in lectures, prepare for lab sessions, do online homework, do practice study sheets, write up
lab activities, and take exams. To do well, you should expect to spend at least 10 to 15 hours per week on
this class. There simply is no shortcut in physics!
Academic Honesty
As your instructor I’ll strive to employ any method that helps increase student learning. The student –
teacher relationship is based on honesty, fairness, respect, and trust. I hope that everyone will succeed by
engaging in hard work. Violations of academic honesty will not be tolerated. Infractions in this class
include: cheating on exams, inappropriate assistance, and turning work that you did not do yourself.
Penalties for violations of academic honesty include, but are not limited to oral or written warning, a
grade of zero for the assignment, a failing grade for the course.
Much of the work you will do in this course will be done in groups. In fact, students are encouraged to
find partners with whom to collaborate. I expect you to work together on lab worksheets, classroom
clicker work, and online homework. However all partnerships are expected to be two way, all participants
are expected to participate and contribute. Identical or extremely similar homework on turned in
assignments is unacceptable. Discussing concepts and problems is encouraged, but you may not copy
papers verbatim.
Attendance Policy
There is a direct correlation between attendance and student performance. Attendance in lecture is not
required to pass the course, but experience has shown that in most cases it is necessary to do well in the
course. The lecture component is designed to complement both the textbook readings and the lab
activities.
Attendance in lab is required in order to pass the course. Absences with written excuses for medical
reasons or university-related functions may be used to arrange make-up the missed work.
Feedback and Communication
I generally check my email a few times per day and will almost always respond by the next day. I will
grade work within one week of the due date.
Religious Holidays
Western Oregon University strives to respect all religious practices. If you have religious holidays that
are in conflict with any of the requirements of this class, please contact the instructor as early as possible
to make alternative arrangements.
Students with Disabilities
Students who have documented disabilities and would benefit from special accommodations during
examinations should make an appointment with the instructor as early possible.
Syllabus Amendment Policy
This syllabus may be modified by the instructor as needed, to meet the learning objectives of the course.
Students will be notified of any changes, and the reasons for the changes in a timely manner. Additional
assessment activities may be added if the instructor deems it necessary in order to increase learning.
“Dead” Week & Finals Weeks
The 10th week of the term is regarded as a normal week of class. Expect to cover new material in lecture,
and to have a normal lab session. This term our final exam is scheduled for the last day of finals week;
expect to take that exam during its scheduled time. Do not make travel plans and expect to take the exam
early. During finals week I will schedule multiple opportunities for students to take a short “lab final”.
Missed Work
Under NO circumstances will make-up exams be administered without prior arrangement (at least three
days) and good reason, with a signed administrative or medical excuse. Lab exercises and demonstrations
are set up on a weekly basis. Please show up during your assigned lab period. Switching weekly lab
periods must be approved by the instructor, prior to attending lab.
Incompletes
A grade of incomplete (I) may be negotiated when a student with passing work needs additional time to
complete the course. An incomplete will not be granted as a substitute for a failing grade (F), nor will a
grade of "incomplete" be issued in the last week of class. If you find yourself in a situation where you
can't complete the required course work, please make arrangements with the instructor prior to the last
week of class.
Tentative PH 203 Lecture Schedule – first few weeks
Date
Lecture Material
Mon April 2
Review Electric Forces & Fields
Wed April 4
Conductors in Electric Fields, Forces &
Torques in Electric Fields
Fri April 6
Electric Potential Energy
Mon April 9
Electric Potential
Wed April 11
Capacitance & capacitors
Fri April 13
Batteries & Resistors
Mon April 16
Ohm’s Law
Wed April 18
Kirchhoff’s Laws
Fri April 20
Circuits
Mon April 23
Capacitors in Circuits
Wed April 25
Magnetic Fields
Thurs April 26 EXAM I
2nd Edition
20.1 – 20.5
20.6 – 20.7
21.1 & 21.3
21.2, 21.4-21.6
21.7 – 21.9
22.1 – 22.3
22.4 – 22.6
23.1 – 23.3
23.4 -23.5
23.6 – 23.8
24.1 – 24.2
Chap 20 - 23