Introduction to Physics II

 

Course Prefix, Number, Title, Credit Hours

Phys 113/113L, Introduction to Physics II, lecture and laboratory, 4 cr.

 

University Name

Northern State University

 

Academic Term, Year

Spring, 2008

 

Course Meeting Time and Location

10:00 – 10:50, MWF Classroom: MJ112

11:00 – 11:50, MWF Laboratory: MJ112

 

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

PHYS 113-113L. Introduction to Physics II. This course is the second course in a two semester algebra-level sequence, covering fundamental concepts of physics. Topics include classical mechanics, electricity, magnetism, sound, light, optics and some modern physics concepts. Prerequisite: PHYS 111. 4 credits.

Additional course description

The intent of this course is to introduce students to the principles and methods of physics and to show them how these principles are applied in order to explain the phenomena of the physical world. 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 use bulletin boards; 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

PHYS 111/111L  

            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 three two-hour periods per week. You will be assigned groups for classroom and laboratory activities. I will minimize lecture to allow time for interactive lecture demonstrations, problems, examples, and cooperative group discussion & activities.  Additional Course resources include the “Core Concepts in Physics CD-ROM”, “Student Tools CD-ROM”, WebAssign, WebCT,  Serway’s internet site, and Physics Now.

 

Course Requirements

Required textbook

Serway & Faughn, College Physics, 7th ed (ISBN:0-534-99723-6)

Supplementary materials

Gordon, Teague & Serway, Study Guide and Student Solutions Manual, College Physics, 7th ed.

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 dis- honesty 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.

 

Evaluation Procedures

            Assessments

Tests, projects and assignments

Four exams will be given.  Each exam will be composed of 7-8 problems.  You will choose 5 of these problems for solution. Downloadable practice tests are available on WebCT.

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.  The problems will be submitted and scored using an online homework service called WebAssign.


 

                       

   

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 special accommodations, please contact Karen Gerety at the NSU Office of Disability Services (626-2371, Student Center 217) as soon as possible to discuss your needs. All information and documentation of disability is confidential.

 

 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:

 

Thermal Physics – Chapter 10

Jan 23 – 28 (Days 01 - 03)

Electric Forces & Electric Fields - Chapter 15

Jan 30 – Feb 04 (Days 04 – 06)

Electrical Energy and Capacitance – Chapter 16

Feb 06 – 11 (Days 07 – 09)

Exam #1 (Chapters 10, 15, 16)

Feb 13 (Day 10)

Current and Resistance – Chapter 17 

Feb 15 – Feb 22 (Days 11 – 13)

Direct Current Circuits – Chapter 18

Feb 25 – 29 (Days 14 – 16)

Magnetism – Chapter 19

Mar 03 – Mar 07 (Days 17 – 19)

Exam #2 (Chapters 17 - 19)

Mar 10 (Day 20)

Induced Voltages and Inductance – Chapter 20

Mar 12 – 26 (Days 21 – 23)

Alternating Current Circuits and Electromagnetic Waves – Chapter 21

Mar 28 – Apr 02 (Days 24 – 26)

Reflection and Refraction of Light – Chapter 22

Apr 04– Apr 09 (Days 27 – 29)

Exam #3 (Chapters 20 - 22)

Apr 11 (Day 30)

Mirrors and Lenses – Chapter 23

Apr 14 – 18 (Days 31 – 33)

Wave Optics – Chapter 24

Apr 21 – 25 (Days 34 – 36)

Optical Instruments – Chapter 25

Apr 28 – May 02 (Days 37 – 39)

Exam #4 (Chapters 23 – 25)

May 05 @ 9:45 AM (Day 40)

 


 

Problem Assignments(WebAssign):

 

Problem Assignments:

Due Date:

Chapter 10

Jan 30

Chapter 15

Feb 06

Chapter 16

Feb 13

Chapter 17

Feb 25

Chapter 18

Mar 03

Chapter 19

Mar 10

Chapter 20

Mar 28

Chapter 21

Apr 04

Chapter 22

Apr 11

Chapter 23

Apr 21

Chapter 24

Apr 28

Chapter 25

May 05

 


Laboratory Schedule

 

Lab 01: Boyle’s Law: Pressure Volume Relationship in Gases (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)

Lab 02: Pressure – Temperature Relationship in Gases

Jan 23 – 28 (Days 1 – 3)

Associated with Chapter 10

Lab 03: Electric Field Hockey (Computer Simulation)

Lab 04: Motion of Charges in an Electric Field (Computer Simulation)

Jan 30 – Feb 04 (Days 4 – 6)

Associated with Chapter 15

Lab 05: Equipotentials and Fields Simulation and Lab.

Lab 06: Capacitor Simulation and Electronic Measurements of Capacitors in Series and Parallel.

Feb 06 – 11 (Days 7 – 9)

Associated with Chapter 16

Lab 07: Ohms Law (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)

Lab 08: Resistance and Resistivity (Computer Data Acquisition & Graphing)

Xtra Credit:  Electrical Energy (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)

Feb 15 – Feb 22 (Days 11 – 13)

Associated with Chapter 17

Lab 09: Measurements of Resistance in Series and Parallel

Lab 10: Charging and discharging in an RC circuit (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)

Xtra Credit: Series and Parallel Circuits (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)

Feb 25 – 29 (Days 14 – 16)

Associated with Chapter 18

Lab 11: The Magnetic Field in a Coil (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)

Lab 12: Magnetic Field of a Permanent Magnet (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)

Mar 03 – Mar 07 (Days 17 – 19)

Associated with Chapter 19

Lab 13: Induced Currents

Lab 14: RL Circuits (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)

Mar 12 – Mar 26 (Days 21 – 23)

Associated with Chapter 20


Laboratory Schedule (Continued)

 

Lab 15: AC Circuits, Part 1 - Filters

Lab 16: AC Circuits, Part 2 – Resonant Circuits

Xtra Credit:  Transformers (Computer Graphing)

Mar 28 – Apr 02 (Days 24 – 26)

Associated with Chapter 21

Lab 17: Light, Brightness, and Distance (Computer Data Acquisition and Graphing)

Lab 18: Reflection and Refraction Laboratory

Apr 04 – Apr 09 (Days 27 – 29)

Associated with Chapter 22

Lab 19: Focal Length of Lenses Laboratory

Lab 20: Spherical Mirrors

Apr 14 – 18 (Days 31 – 33)

Associated with Chapter 23

Lab 21: Polarization of Light

Lab 22: Double Slit Diffraction and Multiple Slit Diffraction Using Gratings and Lasers Lab

Apr 21 – 25 (Days 34 – 36)

Associated with Chapter 24

Lab 23: Microscope and Telescope

Lab 24: The Grating Spectrometer

Apr 28 – May 02 (Days 37 – 39)