Physics II (Phys 1215 – Algebra Based)
Fall Semester 2015
INSTRUCTOR:
Mr. Mark Polson
Office: Sciences Complex 225H
Phone: (580) 581 - 2893
Email: mpolson@cameron.edu
Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10:30 -11:30 AM and Thursday 4 – 6 PM
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A continuation of PHYS 1115. A lecture and laboratory study of the fundamental principles of electricity, magnetism,
optics, and modern physics. Lecture 4 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: PHYS 1115.
STUDENT OUTCOMES:
The outcomes of this course are:
1. to learn to reason qualitatively and logically about physics phenomena from the subjects of electricity, magnetism,
optics, and modern physics
2. to become adept at problem solving through applications in these subjects and
3. to acquire an understanding of science as a process.
This class will be different from traditional science classes. Instead of focusing on a set of facts to be memorized, we will
focus on learning to think rationally and coherently about some aspects of the physical world. This means that instead of
paying attention only to results, we will also pay attention to how you get results, how to evaluate results, what constitutes
valid results, and how to relate what we are learning to your intuitions. We're going to learn how to “think science” rather
than just how to collect someone else's results.
TIME & PLACE:
LECTURE: MTWR 12:30 – 1:20 PM in SC 201
LAB: Thursday 2:00 – 3:50 PM in SC 145
TEXTBOOK & MATERIALS:
Physics by Giancoli 7th edition ISBN: 9780321625922 or Physics by Giancoli 6th edition ISBN:9780130606204
Physics II Lab Manual
Scientific calculator, any brand and model (a graphing calculator not needed).
CLASS PARTICIPATION:
You are expected to attend all classes. Each will involve your participation. In class quizzes will count towards 10% of the
grade. If you miss a lecture you are responsible for finding out what you missed.
HOMEWORK:
There will be homework every week (it will be posted on blackboard). All homework must be done on paper. Each
homework will usually be a combination of conceptual and quantitative problems relating to the material from the previous
weeks in class. Over the course of the semester the homework will amount to 15% of the grade.
It is important to complete the homework to obtain a good understanding of the material covered (and to practice so you
can do well on the exams). Due dates for the homework will be announced in class. It is important that you show the work
in an organized manner clearly showing the final answer with appropriate units. You are encouraged to work with others
on the homework. However, you are discouraged from letting others do the work and then copying what they did, or you
doing the work and letting others copy. The instructor has observed that for the most part successful students pay
particular attention to the assigned homework and devote considerable effort to it. Feel free to visit the Instructor’s Office
Hours whenever you may need assistance with the homework.
EXAMS:
Midterm exams. -- There will be three midterm exams and a final. All exams will be counted.
Final Exam -- The final exam will be comprehensive, emphasizing subject matter covered in the entire semester. The
Final Exam will be on Dec. 10th from 12:30 – 2:30 PM.
GRADING:
Course Component
% Value
Quizzes
Homework
Lab Participation
Midterm Exam I (Thursday, Sep 17th)
Midterm Exam II (Wednesday, Oct 14th)
Midterm Exam III (Thursday, Nov 19th)
Lab Final (Thursday, Dec 3, during regular lab time)
Final Exam Thursday, Dec 10th 12:30 – 2:30 PM
10%
15%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
25%
Total
100%
GRADING SCALE:
A: 90 – 100 B: 80 – 90 C: 70 – 80 D: 60 – 70
A grade of F will be assigned to anyone who has below a 60% OR to anyone caught cheating in this course.
Having trouble?
Your professor should be your first line of defense when you are having trouble.
Other resources include:
your classmates (form a study group!),
the Tutoring Center.
Note: Make-up exams are not given except when a University acceptable excuse (i.e. illness warranting a physician’s
care, death in the immediate family, and sanctioned varsity athlete’s events) is supplied with documentation prior to the
exam. Final grade is FINAL; no work may be handed in for additional credit after the final exam.
Code of Conduct: Any behavior which is disruptive to the classroom, including talking, cell phone use (turn it off), pagers
(turn to vibrate), sleeping or cursing will not be tolerated and will result in being asked to leave the classroom. Police
services will be called if warranted.
Academic Integrity: University policy on Academic Integrity will be strictly followed in this course. Any violations of this
policy will be reported to the academic committee.
Topics Covered (Algebra Based Class)
Topics
Readings
Lab
Week 1&2
Electric Charge & Electric Field
Chapter 16
Static Electricity
Week 3
Electric Potential
Chapter 17
Equipotential Lines
& Electric Fields
Week 4
Electric Currents
Chapter 18
Ohm’s Law
Week 5
DC Currents
Chapter 19
Power Transfer
Week 6
(Exam I, Thursday, Sep 17th)
Magnetism
Chapter 20
Wheatstone Bridge
Week 7
Faraday’s Law
Chapter 21
Series & Parallel
Resistances
Week 8
Electromagnetic Oscillations
Chapter 21
Capacitance – Resistance
Week 9
Electromagnetic Waves
Chapter 22
AC Signals & Oscilloscope
Week 10
Light: Geometric Optics
Chapter 23
Reflection & Refraction
Week 11
(Exam II, Tuesday, Oct 13th)
The Wave Nature of Light
Chapter 24
Thin Lenses
Week 12
Optical Instruments
Chapter 25
Lasers
Week 13&14 Early Quantum: Atomic Model
Chapter 27
Diffraction Grating &
Line Spectra of Elements
Week 15
The Special Theory of Relativity
Chapter 26
Holography
Week 16
(Exam III, Thursday, Nov 19th)
Nuclear Energy & Radioactivity
Chapter 30, 31
Lab Final (Dec. 3rd)
Final Exam
Thursday, Dec. 10th, 12:30 – 2:30PM
Labor Day: Sep. 7
Fall Break: Oct 15 – 18
Thanksgiving: Nov. 25 - 29
The Instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus at a later time. If that happens, an updated copy of the syllabus
will be posted on Blackboard.