PHYISCS 110 How Things Work
Physics 110 – Fall 2010
Prof. Martin Guthold
Office: Olin 302, Lab: Olin 202
Phone: 758-4977
e-mail: gutholdm@wfu.edu
OFFICE HOURS
M, W, F, 1:00-2:00 pm, 302 Olin
Feel free to drop by any time and I’ll try to accommodate you.
TUTORIALS
Some tutorials are held by Physics students. Hours/room will be announced.
Physics 110 is a one-semester course in Introductory Physics. It does not require the use of
calculus. The course is intended for liberal arts students. It is not for Pre-Med students or
Science majors.
SCHEDULE
Lectures are Tuesday, Thursday, 1:30- 2:45 pm; room Olin 101
Each student must also enroll in one laboratory session. Laboratory sessions begin the
week of Monday, Jan 25; room Olin 105. Failed lab = failed class!
TEXT AND MATRIALS
The text is the 4nd edition of How things work by Bloomfield (bookstore, or online).
For the lab you must also obtain the lab manual in the bookstore (~ $15, bookstore).
i-clicker (~ $ 30)
EXAMS AND GRADING
There will be one final exam and three 45 minutes midterm exams given at the dates listed
below. Homework problems will be assigned for each chapter. The homework is due
one week later in class.
1. Midterm exam
20%
2. Midterm exam
20%
Final Exam
30 %
Lab
15%
Homework
10%
i-clicker
5% (in-class multiple choice questions)
attendance:
1 point
correct answer:
1 point
Exam dates & other important dates
Last day to add class:
Wednesday, Jan. 27
Last day to drop class:
Wednesday, Feb. 17
Exam 1:
Tuesday, Feb. 16
Exam 2:
Tuesday, April 13
Final:
Tuesday, May 4, 2:00 – 5:00 pm
No lectures on:
Tu & Th, March 9 & 11 (Spring break)
HOMEWORK AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Homework and problem solving is the most important part of learning in a course in physics.
Approximately 15 questions or problems per chapter will be assigned as homework.
Homework is due in class on due date. 80% grade if turned in by 5:00 pm on due date, 50%
following two days. Some problems may also re-appear on the exams and the final.
POSTINGS
Lectures, homework, exam solutions, grades (listed by last four digits of student (ID), and
other material relating to the course will be posted on the web site.
http://www.wfu.edu/~gutholdm/Physics110/phy110.htm
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Try the Webpage at home.
Download the lecture notes BEFORE class PRINT them out and BRING them to class.
If you have problems, come and see me right away.
Instructions on “How to print lecture notes (power point presentations)”: See hand-out.
ATTENDANCE
• In essence, attendance is taken via the i-clicker multiple choice
questions (5% of the grade).
Per i-clicker question:
1 point for attendance (any click)
1 point for correct answer
• Attendance at the two exams and the final is required - absence
will result in a zero grade unless an official excuse is presented.
Excuses should be reported to me in advance.
PHY110 TUTOR SESSIONS
(Hours to come soon)
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SUNDAY
The tutor: Jillian Bjerke & Maggie Baldwin
The tutor sessions in semesters past were very successful and received high marks from many
students.
All students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.
Tutor sessions will last one or two hours. Time/room to be announced.
Private tutors are also available: see Judy Swicegood in department office (Olin 100)
Homework graders:
1. Jillian Bjerke
(room 311)
2. Colby Meador
3. Calli Nguyen
Please contact the graders or me, if you have questions
about the homework grading.
Labs
- The labs take place in Olin 105
- Lab manager:
Eric Chapman (Olin 110), phone: 758-5532
- Your lab Teaching assistants (TAs):
- Samrat Dutta, Ashley Carlton, Maggie Baldwin,
Calli Nguyen, Jack Own, Zach Vance
-Need to buy lab manual
- Labs start week of Jan. 25.
Lecture format:
• Demos: Understand them &
and take notes.
(May pop up in exam)
• Powerpoint presentations
download them from
http://www.wfu.edu/~gutholdm/Physics110/phy110.htm,
print them out (e.g. three slides on a page) and bring to
the lecture.)
• Blackboard
READ THE TEXT BOOK!!!
Book review
• The book takes everyday objects and looks at the “physical
concepts ” behind them.
• Shows that science is part of our everyday life.
• Goals:
• Begin to see the science in everyday life.
• Learn that science isn’t frightening.
• Learn to think logically in order to solve problems.
• Develop and expand physical intuition.
• Learn how things work.
• Things don’t just occur willy-nilly.
• Obtain perspective on history of science and technology.
READ THE TEXT BOOK!!!
Book review
Each chapter has the following features:
• Introduction: (principal theme + at home experiment + itinerary)
• Each chapter is divided into a few sections
• Each section: Check your understanding, figures
answers at end of chapter
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Epilogue: connects studied objects and physical concepts
Summary: summary + restatement of important laws and equations
Exercises (explanations)
Problems (numbers)
• Glossary at the end of the book
• Two appendices 1. Vectors; 2. Units
Complementary information to the book can be
found here:
http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?action=index&itemId=0470223995&bcsId=4824
Click down from: www.wiley.com/college/bloomfield
You can find review questions, physics concept summaries,
additional material, exercises, problems, cases,…
Things to check in at the door:
1. Group dynamics:
Cynicism is cool
Indifference
Whatever attitude
2. Personal:
I can’t do it.
I don’t know where to start
3. Calculus
Tentative Schedule
Lecture Chapter No.
1
2
1.1
3
1.2
4
1.3
5
2.1
6
2.2
7
2.3
8
3.1
9
3.3
10
Tu, Feb. 16
12
5.1
13
7.1
14
7.2
Topic
Introduction,
The laws of motion, Part I, skating
The laws of motion, Part I, falling balls
The laws of Motion, Part I, ramps
The laws of Motion, Part II, wind turbines
The laws of Motion, Part II, wheels
The laws of Motion, Part II, bumper car
Mechanical Objects, Part I, spring scales
Mechanical Objects, Part I, carousels and roller coasters
review
Midterm 1 (Ch. 1-3)
fluids, balloons
Heat and Phase Transitions, wood stoves
Heat and Phase Transitions, water, steam and ice
Tentative Schedule, cont.
Day, Date Chapter No.
15
9.1
16
9.2
17
10.3
18
Tu, Apr. 16
18
11.1
19
11.2
Topic
Resonance and Mechanical Waves; Clocks
Resonance and Mechanical Waves; Musical Instruments
Electricity, flashlights
Review
Midterm 2 (Ch. 5, 7, 8 - 11)
Magnetism & Electrodynamics, household magnets
Magnetism & Electrodynamics, electric power distribution
20
11.3
21
15.1
22
16.1
23
Tu, May 4
Magnetism & Electrodynamics, Hybrid Automobiles
Optics, Cameras, lenses
Modern Physics, Nuclear Weapons
Review
Final; 2:00 to 5:00
Homework:
For next class:
• Check out course web page and print out Chapter 1.2
• Buy book, lab manual, and i-clicker
• Reading assignment: Chapters 1.1, 1.2