Syllabus – Fall 2012
Physics 260, University Physics II
Robert N. Oerter
Room 301B, Science & Tech I
993-3011
roerter@gmu.edu
Office Hours: MWF 9:30-10:20
MF 1:30-2:20
Website: physics.gmu.edu/~roerter/phys260/phys260.html
Username: phys260
Password: [See instructor]
Course prerequisite: Math 114
Corequisite: Math 213 (Recommended: take Math 213 before taking Phys 260)
Text: University Physics, Thirteenth Edition, by Young and Freedman
Also required: Mastering Physics (online resource, go to masteringphysics.com to purchase or
register)
Course ID for Mastering Physics: OERTER260FALL2012
Tutor: S. Fisher
Tutor Hours: Check www.physics.gmu.edu/undergraduate/tutoring.html for tutoring hours & location.
Week
Read
8/27
9/3
21.1-21.7
22.1-22.5
9/10
9/17
9/24
23.1-23.5
24.1-24.6
25.1-25.5
10/1
10/8
26.1-26.4
27.1-27.8
10/15
10/22
Notes
Homework on
Mastering Physics
Assignment 21
Assignment 22
Due
Assignment 23
Assignment 24
Assignment 25
9/20
9/27
10/4
Assignment 26
Assignment 27
10/11
10/18
28.1-28.8
29.1-29.8
Assignment 28
Assignment 29
10/25
11/1
10/29
11/5
11/12
11/19
30.1-30.6
31.1-31.6
15.1-15.8
Assignment 30
Assignment 31
Assignment 15
11/8
11/15
11/29
11/26
12/3
16.1-16.8
32.1-32.3
No Monday
classes
Monday classes
meet Tuesday
Exam
Date
Chs.
21-23
9/26
Chs.
24-27
10/24
Chs.
28-31
11/19
Final,
Chs.
15-16,
21-32
Wed.
12/12,
10:301:15
9/6
9/13
Thanksgiving,
No classes W-F
Assignment 16
Assignment 32
Exam
12/6
12/11
Course Goals: Understand wave motion and sound. Understand basic concepts of electricity and
magnetism. Solve problems using Coulomb’s Law, Gauss’s Law, and Ampere’s Law. Solve
simple circuits involving resistors, capacitors, batteries, and AC voltage sources. Understand the
origin of electromagnetic waves and the electromagnetic spectrum.
Grading:
Midterms
Final Exam
Homework
Recitation
3@15%
45%
25%
20%
10%
Exams: Exams must be taken in class at the time scheduled, unless other arrangements are made
with the Office of Disability Services. No makeup exams will be given. Students with a valid
excuse for a missed exam may replace that exam with their final exam grade.
Students are required to have a scientific calculator with them in class and for exams. Cell
phones or other wireless devices are not acceptable and may not be used during an exam.
Students may not share calculators during an exam. Headphones, earbuds, etc., may not be worn
during an exam. When the end of the exam is announced by the professor, you must stop writing
immediately. If you do not do so, you will be subject to a 10% grade penalty on the exam. Exams
turned in more than five minutes after the end of the exam is announced, or after the professor has
left the room, will receive no credit.
Exams are closed book and closed notes, except for the final exam. For the final exam, a formula
sheet will be provided.
Homework: Homework assignments may be found by going to www.masteringphysics.com and
clicking on the link for our textbook. You will need a Mastering Physics access code which
comes packaged with your book or may be purchased separately.
For each chapter, there is a practice assignment and one regular homework assignment. The
practice assignment is for extra credit: there is no grade penalty if you do not do it. The regular
homework assignment should be completed by 9:00 AM on the date in the "Due" column. A
grade penalty will be applied for late submissions.
Homework solutions will be posted on the course website after the assignment is due. You will
need the username and password located at the top of this syllabus to view solutions.
Recitation: You must be registered for a recitation for this course as well as the lecture.
Recitation is a required part of the course: attendance will be taken. Recitations are small group
sessions that will concentrate on learning how to solve homework and exam-type problems.
Further information will be given when your recitation meets for the first time.
Final Grades: Final exams may be viewed at the SPACS office, ST1 Rm 303, after the final
grades have been posted.
Honor Code: Do not use solutions from the instructor’s solution manual or the internet in solving
your homework problems. Use of any solutions other than those available in the bookstore will be
considered a violation of the honor code. Giving or receiving assistance on exams or quizzes, use
of formula sheets on exams or quizzes, sharing calculators, wearing earbuds/headphones or using
a cell phone during exams will be considered a violation of the Honor Code.