PHY 220-001                          UNIVERSITY PHYSICS WITH LAB  I                                           Spring 2016

                                                      

Location and Time:                  SC 127   MWF 9:00 - 10:50 am 

 

Instructor:                                Dr.  Scott Nutter                              Office Hours:

                                                Office:  SC 147                               MT: 12:30 – 1:30 pm

                                                Phone:  572-5369                            or anytime when available.

 

Email, Web Page:                     nutters@nku.edu                             www.nku.edu/~nutters    

 

Required Materials:  ISBN-13: 9780321844385.  This is a package containing the text, student workbook, and software license for MasteringPhysics. You could also just get the Mastering Physics license, which includes an electronic copy of the textbook, and a fresh copy of the workbook. I would recommend finding a used copy of the text, in any edition, as a reference.

Package Contents:

Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 3rd Edition, Volume 1, by Randall D. Knight.  Material from chapters 1-13 from the textbook will be covered.  PHY 224 will cover chapters 14 and 15, and many problems in PHY 222 refer back to physics learned this semester, so keep your texts.

Student Workbook: Physics (paperback), 3rd Edition, Volume 1, by Randall D. Knight.

MasteringPhysics software license for online HW assignments. This is part of the package available at the local bookstores.

Plastic ruler (clear is best): 6 or 12 inches in length; best if marked in inches and cm.

Colored pencils (red, blue, green) in addition to your regular pencil for use in the workbook.

Calculator: capable of computing trigonometric functions and their inverses, but that does NOT store text.  If you are unsure if your calculator is acceptable, ask your instructor before the first exam.

                                                      

Supplements (optional):

            Student Solution Manual

 

Pre- or co-requisite:

MAT 129 or MAT 227 (first full semester of calculus).  Knowledge of high school trigonometry, algebra, and geometry is expected. A right triangle should be your very close friend.  We will use concepts of calculus, such as time rate of change (d/dt) and integration.  Appendix A in the back of the text will be helpful for a quick math review.

 

Description:

A calculus-based introduction to classical physics using guided inquiry activities. Topics: Topics include techniques for data analysis, kinematics, forces and Newton’s Laws of motion, circular motion, work and energy, momentum, rotational motion, static equilibrium.

 

Useful links:

Blackboard login  We will use Blackboard to disseminate course information, such as homework assignments and solutions, updates on your grade, exam reviews, instructor notes, and selected in-class handouts.

Assignments (http://www.nku.edu/~nutters/hw_p220_s16.htm)

 

Course home page  (this page: http://www.nku.edu/~nutters/p220syllabus_s16.htm)

My Home page (http://www.nku.edu/~nutters/)

 

Online activities:

Active Physics web site   (www.aw-bc.com/knight)    We will make use of some of these simulations in class; and you may wish to study them further on your own. 

Physlets (http://webphysics.davidson.edu/Applets/Applets.html)

PHeT Simulations (http://phet.colorado.edu/)

Mastering Physics (http://masteringphysics.com)

 

Laboratory information:

Numerical Laboratory Write-up Guidelines

Data Analysis material

Data Analysis Error Calculator

 

 

Course objective:  Objective is to achieve a good understanding of basic concepts and to be able to apply these concepts to a variety of physical situations. Students will acquire skills in scientific methods, critical reasoning, and problem solving. In this first semester of the introductory physics sequence we focus on classical (Newtonian) mechanics.

Student learning outcomes for this course are:

o   Predict results regarding motion, force and energy applications, and test their predictions experimentally.

o   Write several short lab reports (and one or more formal lab reports) that will each include data analysis and a critique of experimental results.

o   Routinely complete error analysis calculations with experiments.

Assessment of these outcomes will be performed through regular homework and workbook assignments, several exams, including one multiple choice exam designed to measure purely conceptual understanding, and laboratory write-ups.

 A word from the instructor: As an instructor, I consider myself more as a facilitator than a lecturer.  In other words, I expect that you will spend the effort to learn the material instead of expect me to spoon feed it through lectures.  Lecturing has been shown to be a fairly inefficient method of teaching physics, a discipline in which the emphasis is on learning a method towards approaching a problem and identifying the concept surrounding the problem instead of a list of facts.  Towards that end, we will spend time in class working together on exercises from the workbook and book until you are comfortable with them, and then you can gain more experience and try more challenging exercises through the rest of the workbook problems and the homework. 

Attendance:  You are expected to attend all class meetings for the whole scheduled time and to participate in classroom and group discussions.  Absences will indirectly reduce your grade. I realize many of you have a life outside of school, but your attendance and participation is an extremely important part of the educational process. Please let me know when possible of planned absences.  Make-ups are rare.

Laboratory skills:  The scientific method basically consists of observation, followed by experimentation and measurement, then some sort of conclusion.  You will be practicing this at every step as you explore physical processes in the classroom.  I hope you will extend this pattern to the rest of the world as well.  Lab groups are comprised of whomever you sit with at your table.  Choose wisely! I reserve the right to rearrange the groups at will.


Tentative schedule of topics

No.

Week of

Topics

Chapter

1

11 Jan

Introduction,

Concepts of Motion,

Kinematics along a line

1, 2

2

18 Jan

(MLK Day week)

Kinematics along a line

2

3

25 Jan

Kinematics,

Vectors

2,3

4

1 Feb

Kinematics in a plane

4.1-3

5

8 Feb

Force and motion

(Exam I week)

5

6

15 Feb

Dynamics: Motion along a line

6

7

22 Feb

Newton’s 3rd Law

7

8

29 Feb

Dynamics: Motion in a plane

(Exam II)

4.4-7

7 Mar

SPRING BREAK!

9

14 Mar

Dynamics: Motion in a plane

8

10

21 Mar

Motion overview, Newton’s 3rd Law

5,6,7,8

11

28 Mar

Impulse and Momentum

9

12

4 April

Energy

10

13

11 Apr

Work

11

14

18 Apr

Rotation

(Exam III)

12

15

25 April

Gravity

13

16

Monday, 2 May

8:00 – 10:00 AM

FINAL EXAM

 

Important dates:

No classes: MLK Day (18 January), Spring Break (7-12 March). 

Withdrawal: The last date to withdraw from a course without a grade appearing in your transcript is 1 February. The last date to withdraw with a "W" appearing in your transcript is 21 March. Midterm grades are due to you on 15 March.

 

Grade components:

  1. MP: Mastering Physics exercises. There are typically 8-12 MP problems from each chapter.  The MP problems help you understand the basic physics and provide immediate feedback.

 

  1. HW & WB: Homework & Workbook. There are typically 2 HW problems and most of the WB problems from each chapter.  The WB exercises help you understand the conceptual aspects of the material. The HW write-ups give you practice communicating the process of problem solving to a future employer or client. It is important that you show the work in an organized manner clearly showing the final answer with appropriate units.  Examples and practice write-ups will be available. The four step Knight method is expected: Model, Visualize, Solve, Assess.  Each HW problem is worth 10 points:

 

Points:

Criteria:

3

All parts present (model, visualize, solve, assess)

5

Flow and readability

2

Correctness

 

 

  1. LA: Laboratories and activities:  Labs and activities are designed to get you familiar with the concepts by practicing hands-on physics.  Activities explore concepts through a series of questions which guide your actions. Labs go a step further than activities by requiring careful measurement and numerical analysis. Labs get a “full blown” write-up over a week long period, as opposed to an activity, which can be done in-class.  I will make it clear when a full lab write-up is expected, and point out guidelines for use in creating the write-up.  Make-ups for these are generally not available except in prearranged cases.

 

  1. The pre- and post-tests are conceptual tests that allow us to measure your progress in a different manner from regular exams.  It helps us to “fine tune” our presentations and the material covered.  Your best score from the pre- and post-tests will be used in computing that portion of your grade.

 

  1. Exams:  Exams are closed book and notes. The exam dates are tentative, and the topic ranges may change. Typically, the material for an exam will be completed one week before the exam. While formula will be provided, students are expected to know some basic expressions or equations used in physics, such as ∑F=ma. There are no make up exams unless I decide your reason for missing is acceptable (an official excuse from Student Services helps!).  Study the assigned problems.

 

Exams:            

Three unit exams and one comprehensive final exam will be given.  Exams will be taken without the use of books or notes; however, a non-text storing calculator is allowed.  Students are expected to know some basic expressions (or equations) and principles that are commonly used in physics; but certain equations that apply to only specific physical situations will be provided with each exam.  A brief exam review will be given in class sometime prior to exam day.  Being absent from any exam is strongly discouraged.  Make-up tests will not be identical to the in-class exam and will be more difficult, could cover topics not specifically mentioned during the exam review, and will be either written, oral, or both.

 

Chapters

Tentative Date

Exam I

Ch. 1 – 4.3

12 Feb.

Exam II

Ch. 5 – 6

4 March

Exam III

Ch. 4.4-4.7, 8 – 10

15 Apr.

Final

Comprehensive plus remaining material

Monday, 2 May,

8:00 - 10:00 am

Grade component weighting:

Grade Components

Weight

MP: Mastering Physics

10%

HW & WB: Homework & workbook

10%

LA: Activities & labs

10%

Pre- and Post-test

10%

4 exams @ 15% each

60%

TOTAL

100%

 

GRADING SCALE:

 

A

> 93

A-

90-92.99

B+

87-89.99

B

83-86.99

B-

80-82.99

C+

77-79.99

C

73-76.99

C-

70-72.99

D+

67-69.99

D

60-66.99

F

< 60

 

 

Additional Notes:

 

Cell phone policy:  TURN IT OFF!  I understand that sometimes important things outside of school are going on in your life.  However, if what's going on is so important that you cannot be away from instantaneous contact for the hours of class time then perhaps you shouldn't be there.  Also, it is unfair to the rest of the students (and me) to hear that ringing in the middle of class.  It throws our train of thought off.  If your phone rings by accident, turn it off and let the answering service get it.  If you answer it in class, or run out of class to answer it, I will think of some horrible punishment for you upon your return.  In fact, don't bother returning that day.  It gives me time to plan something incredibly evil and fitting.

Credit Hour Policy Statement: In accordance with federal policy, NKU defines a credit hour as the amount of work represented in the achievement of student learning outcomes (verified by evidence of student achievement) that reasonably approximates one hour (50 minutes) of classroom instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work. For every course credit hour, a typical student should expect to spend at least three hours per week of concentrated attention on course-related work including, but not limited to, class meeting time, reading, reviewing, organizing notes, studying and completing assignments. At least an equivalent amount of time is expected for other academic activities such as online courses, laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

Estimates of the time required for a typical student to complete course expectations are as follows: HW: 6-9 hrs/week; reading text: 2 hr/week; studying for exams: 5-10 hrs each.

Student Honor Code: This Student Honor Code [the "Honor Code"] is a commitment by students of Northern Kentucky University, through their matriculation or continued enrollment at the University, to adhere to the highest degree of ethical integrity in academic conduct. It is a commitment individually and collectively that the students of Northern Kentucky University will not lie, cheat, or plagiarize to gain an academic advantage over fellow students or avoid academic requirements.

The purpose of the Honor Code is to establish standards of academic conduct for students at Northern Kentucky University and to provide a procedure that offers basic assurances of fundamental fairness to any person accused of violations of these rules. Each Northern Kentucky University student is bound by the provisions of the Honor Code and is presumed to be familiar with all of its provisions. Students also should aspire to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with the highest degree of ethical integrity in all matters, whether covered in the Honor Code or not. The success of this commitment begins in the diligence with which students uphold the letter and the spirit of the Honor Code. Students may view the complete honor code at http://deanofstudents.nku.edu/policies/student-rights.html#policies.

Accommodations due to disability:  The University is committed to making reasonable efforts to assist individuals with disabilities in their efforts to avail themselves of services and programs offered by the University. To this end, Northern Kentucky University will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with documented qualifying disabilities. If you have a disability and feel you need accommodations in this course, you must present a letter to me from the Disability Programs and Services Office (SU 303), indicating the existence of a disability and the suggested accommodations.  More information can be found at http://disability.nku.edu

Student Evaluation of Instructor and Course: Northern Kentucky University takes Instructor and Course Evaluations very seriously as an important means of gathering information for the enhancement of learning opportunities for its students. It is an important responsibility of NKU students as citizens of the University to participate in the instructor and course evaluation process. During the two weeks* prior to the end of each semester classes, you will be asked to reflect upon what you have learned in this course, the extent to which you have invested the necessary effort to maximize your learning, and the role your instructor has played in the learning process. It is very important that you complete the online evaluations with thoughtfully written comments. 

Student evaluations of courses and instructors are regarded as strictly confidential. They are not available to the instructor until after final grades are submitted, and extensive precautions are taken to prevent your comments from being identified as coming from you. Students who complete an evaluation for a particular course (or opt out of doing so in the evaluation) will be rewarded for their participation by having access to their course grade as soon as that grade is submitted by the instructor.  On the other hand, any student who does not complete the course evaluation (or opt out of doing so in the evaluation) should expect to incur a two week delay in access to his or her course grade beyond the university's official date for grade availability. To complete online evaluations go to http://eval.nku.edu. Click on "student login" and use the same USERNAME and PASSWORD as used on campus.

In addition, you should be aware of:

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Outcomes and Assessment related to General Education Areas:

Students will be assessed on their ability to complete the outcomes below by using written exams, homework assignments, in-class activities/discussions, team experiments, and lab reports:

PHY 220 students will routinely:

 

 

General Education: Natural Science (with Laboratory) Outcomes and Assessment:

Students will be assessed on their ability to complete the outcomes below through the use of written exams, homework assignments, in-class activities/discussions, team experiments, and lab reports.

PHY 220 students will:

o   Predict results regarding motion, force and energy applications, and test their predictions experimentally.

o   Write several short lab reports (and one or more formal lab reports) that will each include data analysis and a critique of experimental results.

o   Routinely complete error analysis calculations with experiments.

 

 

Physics Program Outcomes and Assessment (relevant to PHY 220):

Students will be assessed on their ability to complete the outcomes below through the use of written exams, homework assignments, in-class activities/discussions, team experiments, lab reports and a standardized test.

PHY 220 students will:

 

 

The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus during the semester but will notify students during class of any changes.

If you have a question, do not hesitate to ask. I don't bite. My biggest advice would be to practice, practice, practice, i.e. do lots of problems.

 

 

Created 19 August, 2009 SLN 

Last Update 11 April 2016 SLN