PHY 201 COURSE OUTLINE Fall 2008

INSTRUCTOR: K.W.NICHOLSON OFFICE HOURS: RM 224 OR Phy lab MW 2-3, T Th 1-3.
email: nnicholson@cacc.cc.al.us Ph 256 215 4336 or 4343
webpage: caccphysics.cacc.cc.al.us Class Time: MW 12:50 - 2:05 or 9:15 - 10:40?, M or W 3-5

TEXT: James Walker's Physics, 3rd edition

TOPICS COVERED: Part l Mechanics - Measurement & Math, Linear Motion, Force, Momentum, Work & Energy, Torque & Rotational Motion, Fluids

PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE:
Most physical phenomena can be explained and understood using a very small set of concepts developed between the sixteenth and twentieth centuries. Specifically, Newton's three laws of motion, the laws of conservation of momentum, energy, and charge, and the first and second laws of thermodynamics,. It also helps to learn a few techniques developed in the last decade.
The purpose of first semester physics is to obtain a solid understanding of the laws of motion and the laws of conservation of momentum & energy, and the accompanying entourage of words and symbols. We will apply these laws to explanations of properties of matter and thermodynamics, (first semester),Waves, Sound and Electricity and Magnetism (second semester).
My objective for the year is to have you leave here next spring with the distinct impression that you can solve just about any physical problem you encounter in life henceforth. Many can argue that this will be a false impression. That may be, but as you probably already know, (or will hopefully someday discover), attitude is the most important ingredient in the success of any project you undertake. Enjoy Physics!

EVALUATION:

Item	Date	Discussion
8 Class Activities (approx) 100 pts total	TBA	Due date given on day of activity.
15 -20 pt Experiments 300 pts total	Monday's	You will have 2 weeks to make up a lab, after that it will receive a grade of zero. See instructor for make-up labs. (not same as regular labs.) Labs should be finished up and turned in on date performed, but are due on the following Monday at the beginning of class, unless otherwise specified.
Reading Quizzes = RAT's iRAT's and gRAT's will be averaged. 100 pts total	Monday (except first week)	Reading quizzes cannot be made up or turned in late. Individual RAT's (iRAT's) will be taken prior to class. Group RAT's (gRAT's) will be taken first 10 min of class.
Homework - 100 pts total All homework is online.	Due Wed at 9:15 AM	We will allow some time in recitation to answer some questions you may have about homework. But you can come see me anytime outside class as well, except before class on M & W.
Clicker Questions - 100	Daily	You gotta vote to get paid!
4 - 100 pt tests	9-10, 10-1, 10-22, 11 12	No make up tests will be given. A missed test will be replaced by 1/2 of your final exam score. Tests will be given during recitation period on Wednesday's
1-200 pt Final Exam	Dec. 15, 9 - 11	Final will be comprehensive.
40 points bonus	If you plan to do this, you must submit by Monday, September 22: names of team members name of third grade teacher 5 tentative dates	Students electing to be on science team will receive 40 points bonus. Science teams must do science activities with third grade class of their choice at least 5 times per semester and must: submit activity plan sheet 1 week in advance each time they go to a third grade class.

Note 1: Use of communication devices such as pagers, cell phones, walkie talkies, or whatever, is prohibited in this class. If one rings, buzzes, vibrates or whatever else to distract you or the class, you may be dismissed from the course.

Note 2: Playing games on computers in the physics lab may result in your being dismissed from this course.

GRADES:

The above total, excluding bonus points, is approximately 1400 points and your accumulative total will be divided by that amount to calculate your final average.

90 - 100 = A, 80 - 89 = B, 70 - 79 = C, 60 - 69 = D, 0 - 59 = F

NOTES:
l. Final percentage will be rounded UP, i.e., a final percent of 79.00000001 will be rounded up to 80.

2. You should keep all returned papers. You should also keep track of the ratio (your accumulative total)/(The accumulative total possible to date) as the semester progresses.

Phy 216 & 205 Recitation

What happens in recitation (except for test days)?
First 15 - 20 minutes
reinforce concepts already studied or preview difficulties to come (Group activity of some kind)

As long as it takes
give students an opportunity to ask questions about homework

If time allows
preview the next lecture (take your iRAT)

The only thing graded is the activity at the beginning of the hour. Introduction to Mac Computers

Turning on and off
Open & Close folders
Create your own folder
Start & quit programs
Close file ‚ quit program
Demo Wordperfect
Open Phy files, open Lab 1 write-up, save it in your own folder
Discuss the difference between an experiment and the write up. Don't turn in the experiment with a lab write-up.

All programs needed for this course are obtained from the "Dock"(move cursor to the bottom of the screen to make the Dock visible).

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Guide to Lab Write-up:in brief

1. Introduction- What, why and how?

2. Data Sheet - organized, labeled with blanks to fill in, written up before class.

3. Analysis - Usually done on computer. Results must appear here! This is the deliverable for the lab.

4. DOA - Did we obtain expected results? If not, why not? Assessment of possible sources of error.

5. Conclusion - Summary statement, your opinion of the outcome. You must restate numerically the deliverables here!

Percent Difference between a and b =

Percent error for experimentally determined value =