Introductory Physics I with Laboratory
Course Goals
We will learn to explore real world motion using modern tools and techniques guided by fundamental
principles.
By the end of the course, we will be able to:
+ Observe, record (on video) motion in our surroundings and analyze videos to extract motion data.
+ Apply fundamental principles to construct and to use models that explain or predict motion
observations.
+ Communicate effectively our results (the observations, the models and comparisons between them).
+ Evaluate, in a constructively critical way, our results and the results reported by our course peers.
Course Textbook
Suggested reading assignments will be drawn from the textbook, Matter and Interactions: Volume 1
Modern Mechanics, 3rd edition by R. Chabay & B. Sherwood (John Wiley & Sons, 2010). We will provide
course participants with limited time, free access to the suggested readings. Course participants will also
have the opportunity to purchase permanent access to the textbook.
Grading Policy
A total course score of 70% or higher will guarantee a passing grade in the course.
The course components that determine the final grades are weighted as follows:
Labs (65%):
Five labs will be assigned (approximately one every two weeks). The score on each lab will contribute
equally toward the final grade.
Each lab will typically (but not always) include these elements: motion observations by each participant
recorded on video, extraction of motion data from videos, construction of motion models, including
computer models. Unless otherwise specified, each participant must make and record their own motion
observations and must construct their own models (including computer models).
Each participant will report the main results of her/his lab in a 5-minute video. Each participant must
compose and deliver his/her own lab report.
Each participant will evaluate video lab reports submitted by peers in the course. The number of
reports that each participant will evaluate will depend on the lab assignment.
The median peer score on each lab report will be used to determine final grades.
Homework (10%):
Homework will be assigned and will be due weekly. Check the appropriate weekly tab (on the
Navigation Bar to your left) for the specific assignments and corresponding due dates/times.
Final Exam (25 %):
The final will be administered during the last (11th) week of the course. Problems on the final will be in
a multiple-choice format. The final must be taken closed book/closed notes.
Guidelines
We encourage active, timely participation in this course. It is important to stay on track by keeping up
with the deadlines posted under the weekly tabs (on the Navigation Bar to your left). In particular:
please be sure to:
Watch all lecture videos and respond to all questions embedding in the lectures.
Start your labs early and keep up with the submission deadlines.
Complete all weekly homework assignments.
Getting Help
We encourage you to seek help if you need it. Please direct all help requests to the class forum, hosted
on Piazza. The instructor and teaching assistants will frequently monitor the forum and will respond to
questions as rapidly as possible. Participants are also encouraged to answer questions posted by fellow
participants.
Netiquette
Please be positive, supportive and constructive in all comments and forum postings.
Honor Code
We believe that trust is an integral part of the learning process and that self-discipline is necessary in
this pursuit. We also believe that any instance of dishonesty hurts the entire community. Participants
are expected to act according to the highest ethical standards and avoid any academic misconduct that
improperly distorts student grades or other student academic records. At the same time, the instructor
and teaching assistants are expected to create an environment where honesty flourishes by making
known what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate academic conduct. So, in this course,
Participants must individually perform each lab by making and recording their own motion observations,
constructing their own models (including computer models), composing and delivering their own lab
reports, and evaluating assigned peer lab reports. Participants are encouraged to discuss and to share
ideas about each lab, to seek feedback on preliminary drafts of lab reports. However, the submitted
lab report and all work contained therein must be from the participant submitting the report.
Submission of material that is wholly or substantially identical to that created or published by another
person or person (plagiarism) is forbidden.
Participants are encouraged to work together on homework assignments; however, obtaining complete
solutions to homework problems from others or from the Internet is forbidden.
The work submitted for the final exam must be solely due to each participant, without assistance from
another person or information source (textbooks, notes, the Internet, etc.)
If participants become aware of evidence of academic misconduct by others in the course, the
participant should report the evidence to the instructor.
Any participant who engages in academic misconduct will be removed from the course.
Course Outline (Tentative)
This outline provides a short overview of the course activities; details (activity specifics, including
deadlines) are posted under the weekly tabs on the Navigation Bar to your left.
Week 1: Introduction; Newton's 2nd Law
Surveys and Concept Inventories
Labs: Software Installation
Lectures, Textbook Readings, Homework:
+ Math Background (1 Spatial Dimension)
+ Predicting the Future with Newton's 2nd Law
Week 2: Newton's 2nd Law: Constant Velocity Motion
Labs: Lab 1 (Constant Velocity): Assignment
Lectures, Textbook Readings, Homework:
+ Lab Overview and Preparation
+ More Math Background (1 Spatial Dimension)
Week 3: Newton's 2nd Law: Nonzero Net Force (1D)
Labs: Lab 1 (Constant Velocity) : Submission & Peer Evaluation
Lectures, Textbook Readings, Homework:
+ Nonzero Net Force: Predicting Motion in 1D
+ Math Background: Motion in more than 1D
Week 4: Newton's 2nd Law: Nonzero Net Force in more than 1D
Labs: Lab 2 (Free Fall): Assignment
Lectures, Textbook Readings, Homework:
+ Nonzero Net Force: Predicting Motion in more than 1D
+ Modeling Forces
Week 5: Newton's 2nd Law: Forces from Motion
Labs: Lab 2 (Free Fall) : Submission & Peer Evaluation
Lectures, Textbook Readings, Homework:
+ Determining Forces from Motion Observations
Week 6: Energy Principle: Introduction
Labs: Lab 3 (Black Holes) : Assignment
Lectures, Textbook Readings, Homework:
+ Energy and Work
+ Potential Energy
Week 7: Energy Principle: 1st Law of Thermodynamics
Labs: Lab 3 (Black Holes) : Submission & Peer Evaluation
Lectures, Textbook Readings, Homework:
+ Thermal Energy & Thermal Energy Transfer
Week 8: Energy Principle: Complex Problems
Labs: Lab 4 (Rope Physics) : Assignment
Lectures, Textbook Readings, Homework:
+ Real vs Point Particle Models
Week 9: Energy and Momentum
Labs: Lab 4 (Rope Physics) : Submission & Peer Evaluation
Lectures, Textbook Readings, Homework:
+ Conservation of Momentum
+ Collisions
Week 10: Angular Momentum
Labs: Lab 5 (Choose Your Own Adventure) : Assignment
Lectures, Textbook Readings, Homework:
+ Rotational Motion & Angular Momentum
Week 11: Course Wrapup
Labs: Lab 5 (Choose Your Own Adventure) : Submission & Peer Evaluation
Final Exam
Surveys and Concept Inventories
Course End Date: July 23,2014