PHYSICS 105: PHYSICS AND SOCIETY
Spring Semester 2009
CLASS TIME:
TEXTBOOK:
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12:30 - 13:45, Regener 114
P. G. Hewitt, Conceptual Physics, Tenth Edition
TEACHER:
OFFICE HOURS:
TELEPHONE:
EMAIL:
Colston Chandler
To be announced
277-3416
chandler@unm.edu
THE COURSE IS ABOUT YOUR WORLD.
If you don’t aspire to be a professional scientist but are curious about how common things work, about
physics that is relevant to social and political issues, or just about the natural world in general, Physics and
Society is just the course for you! No previous background in physics or mathematics is required or expected.
Just bring a lively curiosity and a dedication to learning new things.
Depending on your interest, possible topics include:
• physics of everyday things: toys, sports, dance, air conditioners, automobile engines, xerographic
copiers, cameras, the human eye, lasers, holograms;
• socially relevant physics: ballistic missile defense, medical imaging, global warming, radioactivity
and its uses, nuclear power (and waste), nuclear weapons;
• quantum physics: the internal structure of atoms and nuclei, particles that behave as waves and
waves that behave as particles, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle;
• cosmological physics: motions of the planets and stars, black holes and the structure of galaxies,
the cosmic background radiation, dark matter, dark energy, the evolution of the universe.
Along the way we will also learn about the fascinating (and very smart) people who had the ideas and made
the discoveries.
THE COURSE HAS GOALS FOR YOU TO MEET.
This course is generally intended as an introduction to physics that will help you achieve a deeper appreciation
and enjoyment of this wonderful physical world we inhabit! It is hoped that, along the way, you will develop
an appreciation of the intellectual enterprise of physics and of its history.
The course is specifically designed to help you achieve the following general goals.
1. The Nature of Scientific Inquiry. You will know that physics, and all natural science is based on observations of nature that can be replicated and scrutinized by others. You will know that scientific theories
are logical and thoroughly tested against observations and that those that contradict observations are
discarded. You will be able to distinguish between scientific and unscientific inquiry, and to appreciate
that there are important questions that cannot be addressed with scientific methods.
2. Waves and Particles. You will know that there are two great intellectual models of the material
universe–particles and waves. You will know how the particle model has led to deep understanding, not only of the motion of planets, but also of the mechanical, thermal, and optical properties of
matter. You will know how the wave model has led to deep understanding of material waves (mechanical vibrations, sound, seismic waves, water waves), electromagnetic waves (radio waves, light, X-rays),
and quantum waves.
3. The Laws of Physics. You will learn the fundamental laws of physics–laws of mechanics, laws of thermodynamics, laws of electromagnetism, laws of quantum physics, and conservation laws. You will learn
when these laws are valid and when they are known to fail. You will recognize the working of these
laws in the life of society and in every-day life.
4. Analysis. You will know how to apply the laws of physics and the rules of logic and simple mathematics
to understand simple, realistic physical situations. You will understand why physicists have developed
this method of analysis.
5. Communication. You will be able to communicate effectively about physics subjects.
Your grade in this course will reflect my assessment of how well you have achieved these goals.
PREPARE FOR CLASS BY READING AND WRITING BRIEF RESPONSE PAPERS.
It is very important that you carefully read chapters of the textbook before the classes in which we discuss
that material. Only in this way can class time be used to overcome any misconceptions or confusion.
A list of reading assignments is posted in the UNM Library’s eReserves. Point your browser to:
http://ereserves.unm.edu/eres/
Find the Physics 105 page (password 105phsc).
For each reading assignment you are to write a response (no longer than one page) in which you:
1. list the most important points of the reading assignment; and
2. briefly illustrate at least one of the points by some analogy or example from your own personal experience or respond to the reading in some other substantive way; and
3. write in complete, properly capitalized, and punctuated sentences and with well constructed paragraphs.
You may use the reverse side of your paper to ask questions about the reading, although you are strongly
encouraged to ask such questions in class (or via email before class).
Responses can be submitted via email prior to class or on paper at the beginning of class. LATE RESPONSES
WILL NOT NORMALLY BE ACCEPTED.
Responses will normally be graded by the following class. Grades will be assigned according to the following
scheme:
0 points if the paper is not handed in or not relevant to the assigned reading;
1 point if both the scientific content and the writing are unsatisfactory;
2 points if the scientific content is satisfactory but the writing is not;
3 points if both the scientific content and the writing are satisfactory;
4 points if the scientific content is excellent but the writing is unsatisfactory;
5 points if the scientific content is excellent and the writing is satisfactory.
An example of a satisfactory reading response is posted in eReserves.
PARTICIPATE IN CLASS AND COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE.
Classroom time will be best spent if we are all prepared and alert and we all participate. As you do the
assigned preparatory reading, write down your questions about the reading to bring to class, or better, to
email to me before class so I can be better prepared. Your questions will allow us to focus on what you find
particularly interesting or particularly confusing.
In addition to discussing your questions about the reading, a portion of our classroom time will be devoted
to related material that may not be in the textbook. This material is as important as the reading material.
Participate by asking questions in class!! If you are confused, ask a question! If you think you
understand, test your understanding by asking a question! If you are bored, ask a question
that will make the class more interesting for you!
There will be a questionnaire to be handed in at the end of every class. This will be another opportunity to
tell the instructor what has been clear, what has not been clear, to ask more questions, and to communicate
about any other class-related matter. These questionnaires will be read carefully, but they will not be graded
or returned.
DEVELOP YOUR UNDERSTANDING BY DOING THE HOMEWORK.
Once you have read the textbook and participated in the classroom discussions, you need to develop your
understanding by completing homework assignments.
Weekly homework assignments will be posted in the UNM Library’s eReserves. Point your browser to:
http://ereserves.unm.edu/eres/
Find the Physics 105 page (password 105phsc).
Homework papers are due at the beginning of class on the date due, in either electronic or paper form. LATE
HOMEWORK WILL NOT NORMALLY BE ACCEPTED.
Homework papers will be graded according to a point system that will be explicitly part of each problem.
Graded papers will normally be returned at the beginning of the following class, after which extended answers
will be posted.
You are strongly encouraged to form groups to work on the homework problems and to bring questions about
the homework to office hours.
An example of a satisfactory homework answer is posted in eReserves.
DEMONSTRATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING IN THE MIDTERM EXAM.
The midterm exam on Thursday, 12 March, will be closed book.
Roughly half the exam will consist of two questions taken from a list that is posted. The remainder of the
test will be questions about your homework problems.
Midterm exam papers will be graded according to a point system that is explicitly incorporated into the
exam questions. Graded papers will be returned at the first class following the exam, after which extended
answers will be posted.
DEMONSTRATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING IN THE FINAL EXAM.
The final exam (Thursday, 15 May, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm) will be closed book.
Roughly one quarter of the exam will consist of two questions taken from a list that is posted. An additional
quarter will consist of questions about your homework problems since the spring break. The remaining half
of the exam will consist of similar sorts of questions designed to let you demonstrate your comprehensive
knowledge of the material covered during the entire semester.
Final exam papers will be graded according to a point system that is explicitly incorporated into the exam
questions. Graded papers can be picked up at the office of the instructor. Answers will not be posted but
will be available at the office of the instructor.
LOOK IN ERESERVES FOR POSTINGS.
All assignments, homework and exam solutions, and other class materials will be posted on Ereserves, part
of the UNM Libraries electronic reference system. A sheet giving instructions for access is available from
the instructor.
Briefly, point your browser to:
http://ereserves.unm.edu/eres/
Find the Physics 105 page (password 105phsc).
ATTEND CLASSES AND OFFICE HOURS.
Attendance at every class meeting is strongly encouraged. It is your best chance to benefit from interactions
with the instructor and your classmates.
While class attendance is not required, excessive absences will rob you of any benefit of doubt when it is
time to assign the course grade.
Consider using my office hours as a time and place to work on assignments. Students who have done so in
the past have said it improved their grades while reducing the time needed to complete the assignments.
LATE WORK IS NORMALLY NOT ACCEPTED.
Late reading assignments and homework are not normally accepted. Make-up exams are given only in
extremely unusual circumstances.
Work submitted in advance of the due date is always accepted.
IF YOU DROP, CONSULT WITH THE INSTRUCTOR.
Through February 27 you may drop the course for any reason, but please do inform me of your decision.
After February 27, it would be wise to discuss your intent with me before you drop. Your situation with
respect to the course grade may not be as dire as you think. In general, however, whether you would be
assigned a WP or WF grade upon dropping will depend on your course work up to the official date of
dropping (rather than the date you stop participating in the class).
LETTER GRADES ARE ASSIGNED ONLY AT THE END OF THE COURSE.
All work will be graded mainly on the basis of scientific accuracy and quality of reasoning (always explicitly
based on physical law). The quality of writing style may, however, also be considered.
The course grade will be composed of the following elements:
• reading–10%;
• homework–35%;
• midterm exam–20%;
• final exam–35%.
Letter grades will be assigned according to the following scheme.
A:
B:
C:
D:
F:
90–110
70–89
50–69
30–49
0–29
Plus and minus grades will be assigned, as well.