Survey of Physics

 

Course Prefix, Number, Title, Credit Hours

Phys 101/101L, Survey of Physics lecture and laboratory, 4 cr.

 

University Name

Northern State University

 

Academic Term, Year

Fall 2007

 

Course Meeting Time and Location

Sect N01: 9:00-10:50 AM, TT

Sect N02: 1:00-3:50 PM, TT

Sect N03: 6:00-8:50 PM, TT

 

Instructor’s Contact Information

            Name: Dr. Duane Dolejsi

            Office location: MJ-111

            Office hours: 1 – 2:50 PM, MWF

            Office phone number: 626-2456/626-2467

            Email address: dad@northern.edu

 

Course Description

Catalog description

This is a one-semester conceptual course, designed to cover a broad range of physics topics. Critical thinking skills are developed as students apply topics to various problem situations. Students are encouraged to relate concepts learned to personal areas of interest. Topics include mechanics, states of matter, wave motion, sound, and electricity and magnetism. Lecture, three hours; laboratory or demonstration, three hours per week. 4 credits.

 

Additional course description

The students will become more aware of their surroundings and natural phenomena through the study of the basic concepts of physics.  The laboratory experiences and demonstrations will give the students insight into how experimentation leads to the discovery of new scientific principles.  Cooperative attitudes will be nurtured through the use of group activities.  In addition to the knowledge base developed in physics (see topics list later in this document), use of computer technologies are integrated through out the entire course. The use of these technologies are intended to impart the following specific skills: ability to use a web browser to access on-line information; ability to download files; ability to use software packages for graphing, digital video analysis, and simulations; and ability to use software packages for data acquisition and analysis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Prerequisites

Previous courses/experience: None

 

            Technology skills

As mentioned in the “Additional course description”, we make extensive use of computer technologies in this course.  Some familiarity with Windows Based computer operations (pointing, clicking, dragging, loading programs, and saving files) is assumed as well as basic familiarity of web browser usage.

 

Course Learning Goals or Objectives: This course addresses the System General Education GOAL #6:  Students will understand the fundamental principles of the natural sciences and apply scientific methods of inquiry to investigate the natural world.

 

Student Learning Outcomes:  As a result of this course, students will:

 

1.  Demonstrate the scientific method in a laboratory experience;

2.  Gather and critically evaluate data using the scientific method;

3. Identify and explain the basic concepts, terminology and theories of the selected natural sciences;

4.  Apply selected natural science concepts and theories to contemporary issues.

 

 

Description of Instructional Methods: Class is scheduled to meet for two integrated lecture/laboratories per week.  You will be assigned groups for all activities.  I will minimize lecture to allow time for problems, examples, and cooperative group discussion & activities.  Additional Course resources are available through www.physicsplace.com and the NSU WebCT server. These include a downloadable and on-line course syllabus; downloadable and on-line practice tests; on-line make-up tests; multimedia notes; downloadable laboratory documents and practice pages; communication tools; and demonstration videos.

 

 

Course Requirements

 

Required textbook(s)

Hewitt, Conceptual Physics, 9th ed. (ISBN: 0-321-052502-1)

 

Supplementary materials

None

Class attendance policy: The student is responsible for any material and laboratory/activities missed due to absence from class.  Attendance is necessary in order to perform the laboratories, activities, and exams.

 

 

 

 

Cheating and plagiarism policy: Students who violate the rules concerning academic dishonesty (Section II, subsections B.1.a, b, and c of the Student Disciplinary Code) should be aware that members of the faculty may initiate one of the following options:

A.  Give the student a failing grade for the test or project involved in the violation.

B.  Give the student a failing grade in the course. (An instructor’s grade of ‘F’ for academic dishonesty will override a ‘W’ that has been given for a student’s withdrawal from the class.)

C.  Do neither A nor B, but file a written complaint with the Vice President for Academic Affairs for the initiation of disciplinary proceedings as described in the section of this handbook entitled Judicial Structure and Procedures.

D.  Do either A or B, and file a written complaint as set out in item C above.

 

Make-up policy: If an absence is unavoidable, make‑up exams and laboratories should be arranged as soon as possible upon the student's return. Make-up laboratory activity guides as well as practice sheets may be downloaded from the NSU WebCT server.  Make-up exams may be administered on-line from the NSU WebCT server.

 

Evaluation Procedures

            Assessments

Tests, projects and assignments

Tests will occur after every three chapters of covered material.  Most exams will consist of 25 multiple-choice questions.  Downloadable and on-line practice tests are available.

A laboratory journal will be maintained by each laboratory group.  This will be checked and graded three to four times during the semester.  Laboratory activity guides and practice pages are available for download on the NSU WebCT server. We will be making use of Computer based data acquisition, Digital Video Analysis, Computer Simulations, and Graphing Software.

The student is expected to read the assigned chapters and review the multimedia notes on WebCT.  A problem set will be due following completion of each chapter.  Each question in the problem set should be answered using a complete sentence.  When a calculation is to be performed, all work should be shown.  Extra credit questions may be available through interaction with the course electronic bulletin board

                       

 

   

The System General Education criteria are assessed in the following manner: students will:

1)   Demonstrate the scientific method in a laboratory experience (assessed by laboratory hands-on experiences and the laboratory journal)

2) Gather and critically evaluate data using the scientific method (assessed by laboratory hands-on experiences and the laboratory journal)

3) Identify and explain the basic concepts, terminology and theories of the selected natural sciences (assessed by the exams and problem assignments)

4) Apply selected natural science concepts and theories to contemporary issues (assessed by the exams and problem assignments.

 

Performance standards/grading policy:

 

Course grade will be determined 50% by exams, 20% by homework, 30% by laboratory and practice pages. The laboratory and practice pages will be graded on a group basis. Work is due by 5:00 p.m. on the day indicated by the instructor.  Late work drops in value by 10% for each succeeding class meeting up to a maximum of 50%. Exceptions to this policy may be granted for unusual circumstances and university activities.

           

The following grading scale is used: A = 90-100%, B = 80-89%, C =70-79%, D = 60-69%, F = less than 60%.

 

ADA Statement

 

Northern State University recognizes its responsibility for creating an institutional climate in which students with disabilities can thrive.  If you have any type of disability for which you require accommodations, please contact Karen Gerety at the NSU Office of Disability Services (626-2371, Student Center 217) as soon as possible to discuss your particular needs.

 

Freedom to Learn and Academic Freedom

 

Under Board of Regents and University policy student academic performance may be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled. Students who believe that an academic evaluation reflects prejudiced or capricious consideration of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards should contact the academic dean administratively in charge of the class to initiate a review of the evaluation."

 

Nonetheless academic freedom as the freedom of faculty to teach the knowledge encompassed by their academic disciplines is vital to successful education, and thus must be defended.  As stated in the Higher Education Agreement, “Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the teacher in teaching and of students to freedom in learning. It includes the freedom to perform one's professional duties and to present differing and sometimes controversial points of view, free from reprisal.”   This academic freedom must be shielded against harassment and limitation in accordance with the words and spirit of the Higher Education Agreement.

 

Furthermore, students bear the responsibility to become informed on the subject matter of the course and base their comments on a coherent understanding of these materials.  The mastery of these materials will constitute the basis for judgments of academic achievement and performance in this course.

 

 

 

 

 

Tentative Course Outline/Schedule:

 

Introduction (Sect 1, MMN*)

 

Day 1, Sept 6

Chapter 2 (Sect 4, MMN): Newton’s 1st Law and Inertia

 

Days 2 & 3, Sept 11 & 13

Chapter 3 (Sect 2, MMN): Linear Motion

 

Days 4 & 5, Sept 18 & 20

Chapter 4 (Sect 4, MMN): Newton's 2nd Law

Days 6 & 7, Sept 25 & 27

Exam #1: Chapters 2 – 4

 

Day 8, Oct 2

Chapter 5 (Sect 4, MMN): Newton’s 3rd Law

 

Day 9, Oct 4

Chapter 6 (Sect 5, MMN): Momentum

 

Days 10 & 11, Oct 9 & 11

Chapter 7 (Sect 6, MMN): Energy

 

Days 12 & 13, Oct 16 & 18

Exam #2: Chapters 5 – 7

 

Day 14, Oct 23

Chapter 19 (Sect 8, MMN): Vibrations and Waves

 

Days 15 & 16, Oct  25 & 30

Chapter 20 (Sect 9 & 10, MMN): Sound

 

Days 17 & 18, Nov 1 & 6

Chapter 21 (Sect 10 & 11, MMN): Musical Sounds

 

Days 19 & 20, Nov 8 & 13

Exam #3: Chapters 19 – 21

 

Day 21, Nov 15

Chapter 22 (Sect 12, MMN): Electrostatics

Days 22 & 23, Nov 20 &27

Chapter 23 (Sect 13, MMN): Electric Current

 

Days 24 & 25, Nov 29 & Dec 4

Chapter 24 (Sect 14, MMN): Magnetism

 

Day 26 & 27, Dec 6 & 11

Chapter 25 (Sect 14, MMN): Electromagnetic Induction

Day 28, Dec  13

 

Exam #4: Chapters 22-25

Day 29,

Sect N01: Dec 18 @ 2:15 pm, Sect N02: Dec 21 @ 12:00 pm

Sect N03: Dec 18 @ 6:00 pm

 

MMN* = Multimedia Notes on WebCT Course Server

PROBLEM ASSIGNMENTS

 

Chapter 2:  RQ 6, 9, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24;

E 9, 23, 24

Due: Sept 18

Chapter 3:  RQ 5, 9, 11, 12, 16, 19, 23

E 14, 34;  P 3

Due: Sept 25

Chapter 4:  RQ 1, 5, 13, 20, 23, 29, 31;

E 8;  P 3, 9

Due: Oct 2

Chapter 5:  RQ 1, 6, 7, 10, 14, 16, 19;

E 17;  P 2, 4

Due: Oct 16

Chapter 6:  RQ 6, 8, 11, 19, 21;

E 9, 23, 43;  P 7, 10

Due: Oct 16

Chapter 7:  RQ 5, 6, 14, 19, 24, 30;

E 13, 35;  P 2, 4

Due: Oct 23

Chapter 19:  RQ 3, 4, 10, 13, 14, 15;

E 16, 25;  P 3, 6

Due: Nov 1

Chapter 20:  RQ 3, 6, 10, 11, 16, 22, 32;

E 16, 40;  P 1

Due: Nov 8

Chapter 21:  RQ 2, 4, 6, 9, 13;

E 18, 29, 33;  P 1, 5

Due: Nov 15

Chapter 22:  RQ 7, 23, 26, 27, 32;

E 5, 10, 20;  P 1, 8

Due: Nov 29

Chapter 23:  RQ 4, 7, 12, 17, 31;

E 4, 38, 40, 42;  P 3

Due: Dec 6

Chapter 24:  RQ 3, 5, 6, 11, 13, 15, 16, 19;

                     E 9, 23

Due: Dec 13

Chapter 25: RQ 1, 5, 7, 8, 18, 23

                    E 27, 28, P 1, 2

Due: At final

 

Phys101L Laboratories and Practice Sheets

 

  • Lab 1: Equilibrium, Tension, and Weight (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)
  • Practice Page: Static Equilibrium

Day 2, Sept 11 (Chapter 2)
  • Lab 2: Ropes and Pulleys (Computer Data Graphing)
  • Practice Page: The Equilibrium Rule

Day 3, Sept 13 (Chapter 2)
  • Lab 3: Uniform Motion (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)
  • Practice Page: Free Fall Speed and Distance

Day 4, Sept 18 (Chapter 3)
  • Lab 4: Galileo’s Inclined Planes (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)
  • Practice Page: Acceleration of Free Fall

Day 5, Sept 20 (Chapter 3)
  • Lab 5: Springing into Newton’s Second Law (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)
  • Practice Page: Force and Acceleration

Day 6, Sept 25 (Chapter 4)
  • Lab 6: Newton’s Second Law – Atwood’s Machine (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)
  • Practice Page: Friction

Day 7, Sept 27 (Chapter 4)
  • Lab 7: Newton’s Third Law (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)
  • Practice Page: Action and Reaction Pairs

Day 9, Oct 4 (Chapter 5)
  • Lab 9: Impulse and Momentum
  • Practice Page: Impulse and Momentum

Day 10, Oct 9 (Chapter 6)
  • Lab 10: Inelastic Collisions: Momentum Conservation (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)
  • Practice Page: Conservation of Momentum

Day 11, Oct  11 (Chapter 6)
  • Lab 11: Work and Energy
  • Practice Page:  Work and Energy

Day 12, Oct 16 (Chapter 7)
  • Lab 12: Energy of a Tossed Ball (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)
  • Practice Page: Conservation of Energy

Day 13, Oct 18 (Chapter 7)

Phys101L Laboratories and Practice Sheets (Continued)

 

  • Lab 13: Simple Harmonic Motion of a Mass on a Spring (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)
  • Practice Page: Vibrations and Wave Fundamentals

Day 15, Oct 25 (Chapter 19)
  • Lab 14: The Simple Pendulum (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)
  • Practice Page: Shock Waves

Day 16, Oct 30 (Chapter 19)
  • Lab 15: Standing Waves on a String (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)
  • Practice Page: Wave Superposition

Day 17, Nov 1 (Chapter 20)
  • Lab 16:  Sound Waves and Beats (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)

 

Day 18, Nov 6 (Chapter 20)
  • Lab 17: Displaying Properties of Sound Waves (Computer Data Analysis)

Day 19, Nov 8 (Chapter 21)
  • Lab 18: Frequency Analyzer – Fourier Analysis of Sound Waves (Computer Data Analysis)

Day 20, Nov 13 (Chapter 21)
  • Lab 19: Electric Field Hockey (Simulation)
  • Practice Page: Lesson 1

Day 22, Nov 20 (Chapter 22)
  • Lab 19b: Electrodynamics (Simulation)
  • Lab 19e: Electric Field and Potential Mapping
  • Practice Page: Electric Potential

Day 23, Nov 27 (Chapter 22)
  • Lab 20: Ohm Sweet Ohm
  • Practice Page: Electric Current

Day 24, Nov 29 (Chapter 23)
  • Lab 21: Ohm’s Law (Computer data acquisition and graphing)
  • Practice Page: Ohm’s Law
  • Practice Page: Electric Power

Day 25, Dec 4 (Chapter 23)
  • Lab 22a: Magnetic Personality & Magnetic Fields due to currents

Day 26, Dec 6(Chapter 24)
  • Lab 22b:  Magnetic Force – You’re Repulsive & Magnetic Forces on Moving Charges (Simulation)

Day 27, Dec 11 (Chapter 24)
  • Lab 23a, b & c  Electromagnetic Induction and its Applications (Computer Graphing)
  • Practice Page:  Faraday’s Law
  • Practice Page: Transformers

Day 28, Dec 13 (Chapter 25)