Physics 1201Q – Spring 2011
Syllabus
Instructor: Nathan Harrison, M.S. (Ph.D. Candidate); Office: Physics Building P-208; Email:
harrison@phys.uconn.edu; Office Hours: TBD, or make an appointment, or stop by.
Electronic Information: HuskyCT will be used to store important information (this syllabus, for
example). Additionally, email and the WileyPLUS system (more on this below) will be used
extensively. Please be familiar with all of these and check them regularly for important updates.
Course Text: Cutnell and Johnson, Physics, 8th edition, Wiley publishing.
You have several buying options (note that you will need your own registration code to access the online WileyPLUS homework assignments (which are graded)):
- Buy the new, printed text in the bookstore and a WileyPLUS access code will be included.
- If you prefer to only use the online version of your text, you can purchase just a registration
code from the WileyPLUS website (wileyplus.com).
There is a document on HuskyCT with some additional details on how to use the WileyPLUS system.
If you have any troubles or questions, please call customer support at 1-877-586-0192.
Lectures: Although attendance is not mandatory, students who do not regularly attend the lectures
seldom do well in this course. You will be responsible for any important announcements made in class.
Please try to avoid late arrivals to and early departures from class as they are disruptive and rude. No
using cellular phones, music players, etc as they can distract those around you. No buffoonery.
The iclicker2 device in not required for this course, however, if you have one, please bring it to class. If
you do not have one, you may want to consider investing in one. The speed at which the class moves
along will partially depend on in-class (ungraded) quizzes (or polls) using the iclicker2 system.
Bringing a clicker to class is a great way to let the instructor know whether or not he is explaining the
material clearly. Furthermore, many other courses at UConn use the iclicker2 system. A smartphone
app is also available for purchase which serves the same purpose as buying the clicker. You may also
borrow a friend's clicker if he/she does not have class at the same time you do. The iclicker2 expert at
UConn is Steven McDermott (steven.mcdermott@uconn.edu), please contact him with any questions
or concerns.
Homework: Homework will be assigned via the WileyPLUS on-line system on a fairly regular basis
(about once a week). When a new assignment is available, you will be notified via email and/or an
announcement in class. Homework must be submitted on or before the due date.
Laboratory: Labs will begin on the 3rd week of classes (week of January 30th). Your lab TA will
discuss the details with you on the first day of lab.
Grading: There will be two in-class exams during the semester and one final exam. Only students with
university approved excuses will be allowed to make up missed work. If you miss more than one lab or
have less than 50% for the lab grade, an incomplete for the course will be posted. The final exam is
also mandatory.
Homework: 20%
Lab grade: 25%
In-class exams: 30% (15% each)
Final exam (cumulative): 25%
Academic misconduct: There is a zero-tolerance policy for any form of academic misconduct. All
offical UConn policies are in effect.
Additional Resources:
Physics Learning and Resource Center: http://www.phys.uconn.edu/labs/PLRC.html
Q Center: http://qcenter.uconn.edu/
Special Accommodations: If you need special accommodations due to a disability or for another valid
reason, discuss the options with the instructor during the first two weeks of class.
Tentative Schedule:
Week
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
15
Date Chapter Topics
Jan 17
1
Units and Concepts
Jan 19
2
Motion in One Dimension
Jan 24
3
Motion in Two and Three Dimensions – Vectors
Jan 26
3
Motion in Two and Three Dimensions – Vectors
Jan 31
4
Force and Motion – Newton's Laws
Feb 02
4
Force and Motion – Newton's Laws
Feb 07
5
Using Newton's Laws – Circular Motion
Feb 09
5
Using Newton's Laws – Gravity
Feb 14
Exam 1
Feb 16
6
Work, Energy, and Power
Feb 21
6
Conservation of Energy
Feb 23
7
Momentum Conservation – One Dimension
Feb 28
7
Collision in Two Dimension – Center of Mass
Mar 01
8
Rotational Motion
Mar 06
8
Rotational Motion
Mar 08
Exam 2
Mar 12
Spring Break
Mar 20
9
Torque and Angular Momentum
Mar 22
9
Rotational Work and Energy
Mar 27
10
Simple Harmonic Motion
Mar 29
10
Energy and Harmonic Motion
Apr 03
10
Stress, Strain and Hooke's Law
Apr 05
16
Waves and Sound
Apr 10
16
Waves and Sound
Apr 12
11
Fluids
Apr 17
11
Bernoulli's equation
Apr 19
12
Temperature and Heat
Apr 24
13
Transfer of Heat
Apr 26
14
Ideal Gas Law, First Law of Thermodynamics