Physics for Science and Engineering I
Physics 3A – 2 (70594)
LBCC, Fall 2008
Instructor: Shahriar Abachi, sabachi@lbcc.edu, (562) 938-xxxx
Lecture: TTh 06:00 - 09:30, D314
Office Hours: TTh, 5:30 – 6:00 & after each session for ½ hour, D349 or D314
Course Description:
This is a calculus based physics course in which we study kinematics, vectors, dynamics, energy,
translational and rotational motion, static fluids, simple harmonic oscillations, and mechanical waves.
To learn the concepts, in addition to lectures on Tuesday evenings, experiments are done in the lab on
Thursday evenings.
Text Books:
o “Fundamentals of Physics”, 8th Extended Ed., Halliday, Resnick, and Walker, Wiley, 2008.
ISBN: 978-0-471-75801-3
o Lab Manual for LBCC Physics 3A, Rev. 1.1, David Sholle, 2007
Prerequisite:
 Math 60
 Physics 2A recommended
Assignments & Evaluation:
 Homework: Weekly homework assignments are given which are collected at the beginning of
each Tuesday session. Late homework is not accepted. Do not do without your homework as they
are the most effective means of learning physics. Doing homework is absolutely essential for your
learning. Doing your homework in groups is preferable. The lowest homework grade will be
dropped.
 Quiz: At the beginning of each Thursday session there may be a quiz mostly on the topics studied
on Tuesday. Please bring with you a scantron form 882-E (15-question form) to Thursday
sessions. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.
 Exams: You must have a passing lab grade and final exam to pass this course. No makeup exam
is given unless substantiated medical or other emergencies are involved, in which case other
grades are used to make up for the missing grade based on the judgment of the instructor.
Therefore make note of the following exam dates. Final exam is cumulative. A one-sided 3×5
inch formula only index card for midterms and a one-sided 8½ ×11 formula only sheet for final
exam are allowed. These should include formulas only and no solutions to problems. (I may
announce that I will give you a formula sheet, in which case you should not bring your own.)
 Grading: Your grade is determined based on the proportions given to the following categories:
Homework
Quizzes
Lab
Midterms (10% – 15% – 15%)
Final
10%
5%
20%
40%
25%
A curving system determines your final letter grade. This is done so that the class average will be roughly
a C+ or B−. (Higher grade for the average may be considered depending on the performance of the class.)
 Dates: Please bring a blue book to the following exams:
Midterm I
Midterm II
Midterm III
Final Exam
Thursday, September 18, in the beginning of the lab session.
Thursday, October 16, in the beginning of the lab session.
Thursday, November 13, in the beginning of the lab session.
Tuesday, December 16, in Class.
Laboratory:
 Laboratory sessions are on Thursdays, which are also going to be used for, quizzes, midterm exams,
reviews, and possible additional lectures, etc.
 Unless otherwise instructed, for each lab a write up is needed which you turn in the next Thursday.
The lab report should include: Purpose, Apparatus, Procedure, Data analysis, Error analysis, Plots
(if required), Discussions, Conclusions, and Answer to any questions.
 All lab reports should be in form of stapled 3-hole loose papers. Make sure you keep all your
graded lab reports, because a week after the last lab you will be asked to turn in your lab book
containing all your graded lab reports. If not, there will be 10% deduction from your lab grade. The
lowest lab grade will be dropped.
Tentative Course Plan:
2
3
4
5
August:
19
21
26
28
September:
2
4
9
11
16
Chapters; Titles
1; Measurement
Labs
1; Math Review
2; Graphing/Measur.
2, 3; 1-D Kinematics, Vectors
3; Free Fall
3,4; Vectors, 2&3-D Kinematics
4; Projectile Motion
4; 2&3-D Kinematics
5; Inclined Plane Acc.
5; Dynamics I
2
2
1
Dates
Page
Week
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
18
23
25
30
October:
2
7
9
14
16
21
23
28
30
November:
4
6
11
13
18
20
25
27
December:
2
4
9
11
16
Midterm I (in lab session)
6; Dynamics II
6; Centripetal Force
7; Kinetic Energy & Work
7; Energy Conservation
8; Potential Energy
8; Ballistic Pendulum
9; Center of mass/Linear Momentum
Midterm II (in lab session)
10; Rotational Motion
9; Rotational Inertia
11; Angular Momentum
12; Statics; Equilibrium & Elasticity
10; Angular Momentum
13; Gravity
Midterm III (in lab session)
14; Static Fluids
11; Equilibrium
15; Oscillations
16; Mechanical Waves
12; Simple Harmonic
17; Sound
Review (in lab session)
Final exam 7 – 10 pm (in class)
13; Standing Waves
Rules:
This course complies with all LBCC rules as found in the Catalog. Cheating and plagiarism will be
dealt with seriously. Violation of rules is not tolerated and may result in a failing grade or even
expulsion.
Other:
Page
3
Support for any disability is available. Please contact DSPS office, room A119, or call (562) 9384558. Please keep me informed of your special needs, if any.