Welcome
to
Physics
1B03 !
Physics 1B3-summer Lecture 1
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PHYSICS 1B3, S07- MECHANICS
Dr. W. Okoń
Office: ABB-237A
e-mail: okon@physics.mcmaster.ca
Office Hours: M,R 2-3pm, T 3-4pm
Course web page (all sections):
http://www.physics.mcmaster.ca/phys1b03
Course web page (this section)
http://physwww.mcmaster.ca/~okon/1b03/1b03.html
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Grade Calculation:
-Term work: 12.5% of the final grade. 7.5% will be for the
CAPA problem sets, the rest will be for reading quizzes
-Labs: 12.5% of the final grade.
-Two (2) Midterm tests: 30% of the final grade.
-Final exam: 45% of the final grade.
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Components of the course:
-Lectures: Students will read the relevant sections of the text
before the lecture, and discuss topics among themselves from
time to time during the lecture.
-CAPA problems assigned ~ each week.
-Labs: every week, 2h long. Sign up (online – go to main course
site) for a section if you don’t have one (if you signed up for the
course after Sept 1) !!! Labs start next week, but…
You must go to the lab this week (BSB-114) for
about 20min to learn Data Studio (any time b4
3:30pm).
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WebCT
Login page: http://webct.mcmaster.ca/
We are using the WebCT system as the main source of
information related to the course. Your term marks will be
posted regularly. A “discussion area” allows you to seek
help with assignment or other questions from other
students in the course.
WebCT will be used for access to the CAPA assignment
problems, so all students will need to use it. The WebCT
login page explains how to get your login account
working. Start trying now! If you have a problem, it may
require a few days to get it fixed by CIS.
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Homework Using CAPA
Web page: http://capa.physics.mcmaster.ca/
• There will be an assignment each week. Answers are entered into
the computer. The CAPA system tells you immediately whether the
answer is correct, and allows you to try again. You can log in and out
many times without having to complete the entire assignment in one
session.
• You can access the CAPA assignments directly from WebCT.
• You should try to complete the CAPA assignments a day before the
final deadline. You may use the student computer labs on campus. If
you work from home, finish the assignments well in advance, to avoid
being caught by internet malfunctions.
•Read the CAPA help page before you start! (help on units etc…)
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Labs
• You will need a lab manual and a black lab notebook with bound-in
graph paper. The lab notebook will remain in the lab between sessions.
• Labs begin with “Session 1: Kinematics in one Dimension”. Prepare for
the lab by reading Appendix C in the Lab Manual (Introduction to Data
Studio). This first lab period will begin with an introduction to the measuring
equipment and Data Studio software. Check in WebCT to see which lab
section you are in.
• You will also need to read the
instructions for the lab itself
(“Session 1”), and complete
the pre-lab exercise to hand in
when you arrive.
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Lectures
• Introduce the important concepts and principles, with
the aid of demonstrations. Examples with solutions.
• Read the text as well (before the lecture); the
lectures won’t include all the details.
• Partial lecture slides will be posted on the web page
or WebCT before the lecture. The slides are not the
whole lecture! Take notes as we work things out on the
blackboard.
• Lectures will include short “concept quizzes” after
each main idea (not for marks, but for fun!?).
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Example:
Concept Quiz
A 2000-kg elevator starts from rest and moves upwards
with a constant acceleration of 1.0 m/s2. The power
required from the motor
a) Increases with time, starting from zero
b) Is large as soon as the elevator starts, then
decreases with time
c) Is constant after the elevator starts to move.
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Doing well in Physics 1B3
• Keep up with the course! Expect to spend 10 hours
every week on the course, in addition to time in the
lectures and labs. Come to the lectures. Read the text.
Solve many, many problems.
• Practice problems from the text will be listed each
week. Try several of these. Think hard about them;
don’t give up on the difficult ones.
• Discuss questions and problems with other students.
Explaining something helps you clarify your ideas.
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Homework 
• Read the course outline and find the course web page.
Read everything…
• Log in to WebCT and find Physics 1B03.
• Get the lab manual. If the bookstore is out of stock, put in
an order right away.
• Buy the text – you’ll find it useful for the next few
years !!! Read the first two chapters of the text (review).
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