29:008 Basic Physics

29:008 Course Information

Contact Details

Dr Helen Bryce 402 Van Allen Hall, Dept of Physics and Astronomy

Email hmbryce at gmail dot com

Office Telephone (319) 335 3506

Office Hours Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays 10:00 to 11:00. Or by appointment.

Website http://www.physics.uiowa.edu/~hbryce/fall09/index

DEO Department of Physics and Astronomy Main Office 203 Van Allen Hall, Chair Prof. Mary Hall Reno

Drop/Add slips, please visit the Physics General Office at 203 VAN

Final letter grade bands

For 3 semester hour students: a total greater than 95% A+, 93% A, 90% A-, 87%B+, 83%B, 80% B-, 75% C+, 70% C, 65% C-, 60% D+, 55% D, 50% D-

For 4 semester hour students: a total greater than 97% A+, 95% A, 93% A-, 90% B+, 87% B, 83% B-, 80% C+, 75% C, 70% C-, 63% D+, 57% D, 50% D-

Prerequisites

Algebra (22M:002 or equivalent) and trigonometry (22M:005 or equivalent). This course is closed to students who have taken 029:011 or 029:012

Textbook

"The Physics of Everyday Phenomena" by W. Thomas Griffith & Juliet W. Brosing, 6th edition 4 semester hour (lab) students will also require "Laboratory Manual for Basic Physics 29:008 by John A. Goree & Chuck Williamson

Objective of the Course

This one-semester course is an introduction to the way physics helps you understand the world around you. You will learn physics concepts and how to combine them with mathematics to solve problems. You will learn a nonsubjective and analytical way of thinking that will be useful in areas outside physics.

Description of the Course

The course is offered as both 3 and 4 semester hours Students enrolled for 4 semester hours will take a lab. Topics: quantitative treatment of mechanics, electricity, heat, liquids, gases, and atomic, nuclear, and elementary particle physics. This class is approved for General Education in the Natural Sciences

Course content

Week Beginning	Topic	Lab	Notes
August 24	Units in Physics	No Lab
August 31	Motion (Chapter 2)	A1 Precision Measurements	First week of labs Problems Q4, Q10, Q19, E3, E10 &E 16 starting on pg 34
September 7	Projectiles (Chapter 3)	M2 Kinematics with constant acceleration	No Class Sept 7 due to Labor day Problems Q4, Q8, Q17, E1, E7 & E8 starting on pg 54
September 14	Newton's laws and gravitation (4 & 5)	M3 Projectile motion	Problems Q4, Q10, Q16, E1, E4 & E8 starting on pg 75
September 21	Review	No lab	Exam 1 Wednesday, September 23
September 28	Energy (6)	M5 Conservation of Energy	Problems Q1, Q8, Q22, E2, E6 & E12 starting on pg 119
October 5	Momentum (7)	A4 Hooke's law	Problems Q4, Q7, Q8, E4, E8 & E10 starting on pg 140
October 12	Fluids (9)	A6 Bernoulli effect and rate of flow	Problems Q1, Q6, Q10, E1, E4 & E8 starting on pg 188
October 19	Review	No lab	Exam 2 Wednesday, Oct 21
October 26	Temperature (10)	H2 Mechanical equivalent of Heat	Problems Q1, Q8, Q11, E1, E4, E6 & E16 staring on pg 209
November 2	Electrostatics (12)	H3 Specific Heat	Problems Q1, Q10, Q13, E1, E3, E6 & E12 starting on pg 254
November 9	Waves (15)	E1 Charge Measurement	Problems Q5, Q14, E1, E3 & E5 starting on pg 326
November 16	Review	No Labs	Exam 3 Wednesday November 18
November 23	No class	No labs	Thanksgiving recess
November 30	Atomic Physics (18)	W1 Speed of Sound	Problems Q2, Q4, Q7, E2, E4 & E6 starting on pg 405
December 7	Nuclear Physics (19)	Q6 Geiger Counters
December 14		No labs	Final exam Monday December 14th 2:15 pm Office hours this week TBA

Exams

There will be four 50 minute exams

The first three exams will be take place on Wednesday September 23, Wednesday Oct 21 and Wednesday Nov 18 during normal class time. The fourth exam will take place at 2:15 pm on Monday December 14. Should you anticipate a problem with any of these dates please inform the instructor. These exams will take place in our regular classroom (lecture room 2 Van Allen Hall)

These dates are subject to change.

The exams will consist of about 20 questions. The questions will require a short written answer in the space below each question. Typical questions will require that you perform a calculation, provide a definition, state an equation, draw a simple plot or diagram. Many of the questions will require only a one word answer. A small number (5 or less) of multiple choice questions will appear. The majority of the questions will be worth one mark, however there will be five questions that are worth two marks. Ineligible answers will not be graded

Calculators that are capable of showing graphs, formulas or text messages are not permitted in exams

Students will find an equation sheet attached to every exam; this will contain useful constants, conversion factors etc. However students will be expected to learn a small number of physics related equations.

Make up exams will only be administered in the most extreme, serious and documented cases. Students will need to make a reasonable effect to find alternative arrangements with the instructor before the exam.

Grading

Students with a final mark lower than 50% will fail the course overall.

Each exam is worth 25 marks, giving a total of 100 marks for this class.

To determine your letter grade, I will rank everyone in the class according to their total exam score. This can be considered your "lecture grade"

If you are a 4 semester hour student your final grade will be comprised of 25% of your lab grade (your 10 best lab scores) and 75% of your lecture grade.

If you are a 3 semester hour student your final grade will be determined by your lecture grade

Final grades will be given using the plus/minus letter scheme

Following the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences letter grades will be awarded according to the standard grade distribution chart for an elementary course.

15% A, 34% B, 40% C, 8% D, 3% F with an average of 2.50

Furthermore the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends a very judicious use of the A+ grade, asking that it be used only in extraordinary situations

ICON will be used for password protected viewing of exam scores.

Office hours

Please take advantage of office hours, you don't need to make an appointment and you can come alone, in a pair or a larger group. If the posted hours don't suit you schedule please make an appointment. It is in most cases much easier to deal with your questions in person than by email or phone. Please check the course website before making plans to attend as the hours may change.

Etiquette

Students are expected to behave respectfully towards one another and the instuctor. Behaviour that has an adverse affect on other students will not be tolerated and such students will be removed from the classroom/examroom.

Email

If you need to email me please include 29:008 in the subject line. Please also remember to include your name (if it is not apparent from your email address). Students should use normal rules of grammar and spelling in any email communication. Be aware that I do not regularly check my email account over the weekend.

Laboratory

Labs do not meet during the first week of the semester and during weeks in which class exams are held. Eating and drinking are not appropriate in the lab sessions. Please be prompt and prepared for lab sessions. There are a total of 11 lab sessions, your lowest lab score will be dropped. Please note that lab grades are higher than lecture grades, this is because the labs are designed for success rather than frustation, almost every student can successfully complete every lab

Method of Presentation

Notes will be presented using the overhead document viewer. Notes will be made available on ICON. Some part of Friday's classes will typically be used by the instructor as time to discuss worked examples. On Mondays the instructor will advise the class of which problems will be discussed. It is strongly advised that you attempt this weekly homework and compare your answers and technique to that used in class on Friday

Tutorials

There are drop in tutorials. You can use this as an opportunity to discuss homework problems, general questions about the course material and anything within the scope of the course that interests you. See tutorial information for times. Students can also visit the writing center for further assistance, please see www.uiowa.edu/~writingc for more information.

Expectations

Students are reminded that the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences guidelines suggest 2 hours of out of class study time each week for every semester hour that is alloted to a class.

Administrative Home

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the administrative home of this course and governs matters such as the add/drop deadlines, the second-grade-only option, and other related issues. Different colleges may have different policies. Questions may be addressed to 120 Schaeffer Hall or see the Academic Handbook.

Academic Fraud

Plagiarism and any other activities when students present work that is not their own are academic fraud. Academic fraud is reported to the departmental DEO and to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Services who enforces the appropriate consequences. See www.clas.uiowa.edu/students/academic_handbook/ix.shtm

Making a Suggestion or a Complaint

Students with a suggestion or complaint should first visit the instructor, then the course supervisor and the departmental DEO. Complaints must be made within six months of the incident. See www.clas.uiowa.edu/students/academic_handbook/ix.shtml

Accommodations for Disabilities

A student seeking academic accommodations should register with Student Disability Services and meet privately with the course instructor to make particular arrangements. For more information, visit here for more information.

Understanding Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment subverts the mission of the University and threatens the well-being of students, faculty, and staff. Visit www.sexualharassment.uiowa.edu for definitions, assistance, and the full University policy.

Reacting Safely to Severe Weather

In severe weather, the class members should seek shelter in the innermost part of the building, if possible at the lowest level, staying clear of windows and free-standing expanses. The class will continue if possible when the event is over.

Student Procedures, Rights, and Responsibilities

This course is given by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). This means that class policies on matters such as requirements, grading, and sanctions for academic dishonesty are governed by CLAS. Students wishing to add or drop this course after the official deadline must receive the approval of the Dean of the CLAS. Details of the University policy of cross enrollments may be found at: http://www.uiowa.edu/~provost/deos/crossenroll.doc All students in CLAS courses have specific rights and responsibilities. You have the right to adjudication of any complaints you have about classroom activities or instructor actions. Information on these procedures is available in the CLAS Student Academic Handbook. You also have the right to expect a classroom environment that enables you to learn, including modifications if you have a disability. Your responsibilities to this class, and to your education as a whole, include attendance and participation. You are also expected to be honest and honorable in your fulfillment of assignments and in test-taking situations. You have a responsibility to the rest of the class and to the instructor to help create a classroom environment where all may learn.