INSTRUCTOR: K.W.NICHOLSON OFFICE HOURS: POSTED ON DOOR OF RM 224.

TEXT: SERWAY& Beichner's Physics for Scientists and Engineers , Fifth edition

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

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
3-100 point tests	Sept. 11, Oct. 9, and Nov. 6	No make up tests will be given. A missed test will be replaced by 1/2 of your final exam score.
1-200 point Final Exam	Dec. 18, 9 - 11	Final will be comprehensive.
12 -20 point experiments	Approximately one each week, usually on Friday	Lab write-ups due at the beginning of the next class after performed. Late labs cost 2 points each day late. You must make up missed labs to avoid an incomplete in the course. Make up labs will not be the same as regular labs.
Approximately 30- 10 point Class Activities and homework assignments	Due beginning of hour next class day after performed or assigned
Weekly quiz	Wed last 15 min	No credit but graded. If the average is better than your lowest test score it can replace your lowest test score.
1- 60 point Project * * Science Team members receive 20 extra project points	Due date for project report is Friday, Dec. 6, 2003	Due dates for projects will depend upon the individual projects. Due dates will be whatever is mutually agreed upon by the instructor and the project group,but some form of written description of your physics project and a progress report is due on this date. 5 points off for each day late. None accepted after final exam.

- Bonus Points 60 pts. max.

- Assisting math or physics students 5pts. per hour, 30 pts. max. (Must be done in the Library or Physics Lab verified in writing by either an instructor or librarian.)

- Occasional hand in bonus problems ( bonus questions on tests do not count toward this max)5 pts. each, 30 pt. max.

GRADES:

The above total, excluding bonus points, is approximately 1100, (plus a few points, depending on miscellaneous assignments), 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.

Project Ideas

1.Seeing physics in action is always a real inspiration for learning. We always take a trip in the spring to the Pensacola Naval station to tour their pilot training facility. I'm considering a fall trip to Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago. That place is incredible. The only down side is the day's drive up and back. Also, we'd have to either raise money or pay for 2 nights lodging and buy meals. Or perhaps make it a Christmas vacation trip and fly up to Marquette Michigan and ski for a couple of days??

2. Join the CACC Science Team. Adopt third grade class for year. We'll divide into groups of four students, pick physics concepts, break them down into simple fun activities for kids, then go out to the same third grade class four or five times a semester and do the activities with the kids. It helps the third graders develop an early interest in science, and teaching physics is the best way to learn it.

3.Think of a money raising event and make it happen.

4.Join a solar car contest.

5. 100 mpg carb

6. Come up with your own project.

If you choose to be on the science team as your project:

You must turn in by August 30:

List of team members names, email addresses, phone numbers.
Name of school and teacher
Schedule of 5 dates and times when you will go visit the class.

Required deliverables from this project will be a team notebook.

You will be given a small binder in which you will put:

1. Pre-activity planning report.
2. Post -activity report.
It would be nice to include pictures in these reports. If you do not have a camera, we have a digital camera.

To get a free shirt you have to go twice and swear on a stack of physics books that you will continue for the remainder of this semester and do it next term as well.

Science Team Pre - Activities Planning Template (Before you go)

Experiments
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Discussion of experiments and logistics

Action Plan

Science Team After Activities Report template (After return)

Experiments
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4.

Comments by _________________

Comments by ___________________

Comments by ___________________

Comments by _____________________

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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!

Percent Difference between a and b = 200|a - b| / (a+b)

Percent error for experimentally determined value = 100|actual - experimental|/ actual