SYLLABUS
Physics 100 – Introductory Physics (3 Credits)
GREAT BASIN COLLEGE - PAHRUMP VALLEY CENTER
FALL SEMESTER 2011
Class Session: Section 1004, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:00 – 8:15 PM, PAHR 107.
Call Number: 93961 (1004 – LEC)
Instructor: James O. Mutton, Ph.D.
Phone: (702) 596-7171
Office Hours: By appointment.
E-mail: or use WebCampus (Preferred)
Textbook: Paul G. Hewitt, Conceptual Physics, Eleventh Edition, Addison-Wesley, 2010.
Workbook: Paul G. Hewitt, Practicing Physics, Eleventh Edition, Addison-Wesley, 2010.
ISBN for textbook with workbook included: 9780321568090
The two books listed above are required.
Course Description: A concise treatment of the basic principles of physics. Includes mechanics, matter, electricity, magnetism, heat, sound, light, relativity, and nuclear physics. Prerequisite: Math 096 or higher, or equivalent.
Course Objective: The objective of this course is to cover a broad spectrum of physics in a conceptual manner, using mathematics to demonstrate physical relationships in nature.
Learning Outcomes: The student will learn about the following subjects and be able to apply and work with the applicable physical laws describing them:
- Scientific measurements, methods, science/physics history, and the role of mathematics in physics
- Newtonian mechanics: Forces, acceleration, motion, momentum, and energy.
- Atomic nature of matter in its various forms; density and pressure; capillarity.
- Heat and temperature; specific heat, thermal expansion.
- Sound vibration, waves, frequency, and propagation.
- Electrical charges and force; current, voltage, resistance, circuits, Ohm’s Law.
- Magnetic fields and forces; electric currents and magnetic fields.
- Light and color; electromagnetic waves; reflection and transmission; color mixtures.
- Atomic structure and the quantum; atomic nucleus and radioactivity; nuclear fission.
- Special theory of relativity; time dilation and length contraction; mass and energy.
Assessments will come from: Final grade will be as follows:
Homework/Problems 25% 90 –100 = A
Tests 40% 80 – 89 = B
Labs 20% 70 – 79 = C
Term Paper 5% 60 – 69 = D
Final exam 10% 60 = F
At the instructor’s discretion, letter grades may be appended with a plus (+) or a minus (–) to indicate whether a grade just below the next highest grade has been advanced (–) or not advanced (+).
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Applicable Learning Skills: A scientific understanding of physics, both conceptual and quantitative, is the major objective of the course. Critical thinking skills will be developed in understanding basic concepts and laws of physics and their application to specific situations. Quantitative methods using measurement and mathematics will be used throughout the course. Communications skills, both written and oral, are important in demonstrating your understanding of physics and in discussing and/or describing applications and laboratory assignments.
Tests: Four Tests and a Final Examination constitute a major portion of the grade. Tests are scheduled as shown on the Outline/Schedule. Mark these dates on your calendar. Make-up tests will be allowed only under extenuating circumstances, and must be coordinated with the instructor as soon as possible. Tests are typically 45 minutes in class, with a take-home portion to be completed by the next class period.
Homework: Assigned homework for credit will be collected after each chapter is completed. It will be graded for completeness and accuracy. Late homework will not receive full credit. Write each homework solution as though you are making a presentation to a physics student who must follow and understand what you are doing. Homework will be assigned from the text and/or the workbook. The three lowest (or missing) homework scores will be dropped.
Method of Instruction: Instructional methods include classroom lecture; classroom discussions; student written work (homework, quizzes, tests, term paper, and labs.), with written and oral instructor feedback. There will be a term paper and four laboratory assignments.
Term Paper: A two-to-three-page term paper will be required. It is to be written about a scientist, physicist, inventor, or engineer; or about an aspect of physics that has significant influence in the modern world. Specific examples and topics will be discussed in class.
Laboratory Assignments: There will be four lab assignments during the semester on the following topics: gravitational force and acceleration; densities of objects; velocity of sound; and Ohm’s Law. Experiments will be conducted in class
Incorporation of the General Education Objectives into Physics 100
1. Communication Skills: Written communication skills are a significant part of the course through homework assignments, lab reports, and a term paper. The ability to clearly present the concepts of physics and their applications to specific situations and problem assignments is a key component of the course.
2. Critical Thinking: Understanding the concepts of physics requires a high degree of reasoning and critical thought. Homework problems ask the student to apply general concepts to specific situations, demonstrating his or her ability to analyze and qualitatively describe an expected result, and in many scenarios to provide quantitative answers to problems using mathematical methods. Demonstration of critical thinking ability is required for tests, quizzes, and lab experiments. Scientific reasoning and methods underlie the entire course.
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3. Personal and Cultural Awareness: Understanding of the physical world has been developed by the efforts of many scientists from diverse areas of the world throughout history. This historical perspective is discussed throughout the course. The student will select a particular aspect of the development of physics, or an individual responsible for progress in the development of physics, for the term paper.
4. Personal Wellness: Although no specific assessment of a personal wellness factor is included in the course, a well-rounded education is important in today’s world for anyone. A basic scientific understanding the physical world, how technological developments affect society and the individual, and how the individual can make an impact on such developments and their uses are increasingly vital today.
5. Technological Understanding: In this course, technology provides the tools to help the student understand the concepts of physics primarily through means of the lab experiments. The student will set up lab equipment, take data, and enter these data into the applicable computer programs for analysis and write-up. The use of Excel® and other computer applications for graphing and analysis are also used.
Notes:
1. A calculator is required for working some of the problems; a simple scientific calculator will suffice.
2. Prior to each class, students are to read the next assigned section(s) in the text.
3. There will be no talking between students during the instruction period; however, any student may address comments to the instructor, or to the whole class with the instructor’s consent. Only one person should speak at a time, and then to the whole class.
4. No cell phones are to be on in class except by specific, prior arrangement.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend class regularly and to be punctual. If classes are missed, students are responsible for knowledge of material covered and homework missed.
Honesty: Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Copying and/or plagiarizing someone else’s work and submitting the work for grading and credit are serious violations of academic honesty. Violators are subject to discipline as outlined in the Great Basin College catalogue.
WebCampus: Check the course website frequently for updates and other information. On-line quizzes and other assignments will be given, and you may check your recorded grades at any time. WebCampus e-mail is preferred for contacting the instructor.
Studying Suggestions:
· Attend class regularly.
· Utilize tutors or discussions with the instructor as needed to clarify areas not understood.
· Work with other students outside class, if possible; form a discussion group.
· Practice is the key to success. Do all the assigned homework and more if at all possible.
· If you keep up with the work assigned, you will not have to cram for tests or the final exam.
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On-Line Physics Help
In the front of your textbook are instructions for accessing www.physicsplace.com and registering using the given code. This site provides additional material to help you study and assess your understanding of each subject area in physics that we will be covering.
Disability Statement:
Great Basin College is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish current verification of disability. If you have a disability that may require special assistance, you should contact the PVC office. Requests should be made at your earliest convenience to assure timely accommodation.
Schedule: August 27 Instruction begins
Fall 2011 September 5 Labor Day Holiday
October 28 Nevada Day Holiday
November 11 Veterans’ Day holiday
November 24 - 25 Thanksgiving Recess
November 25 Official course drop deadline
December 9 Instruction ends
December 12 - 16 Final Exam week
Note that the last day for dropping the class without an assigned grade is
Friday, November 25.
This syllabus may be revised by the instructor as necessary to meet course objectives.
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Physics 100 – Introductory Physics
Tentative Outline/Schedule Fall 2011
Date Chapters(1) Homework Exercises(2) Homework Problems(3)
Aug 30 1, 2 Ch.2: 12, 17, 23, 24, 38 2, 4
Sep 01 3 Ch.3: 4, 11, 22, 25, 30, 32 1, 2, 4
Sep 06 3
Sep 08 4 Ch.4: 7, 14, 28, 30, 44, 53 2, 3, 4, 6
Sep 13 4, Lab 1 - Determination of “g”
Sep 15 7 Ch.7: 2, 6, 11, 15, 20, 27, 45, 47, 63 1, 2, 4, 6, 8
Sep 20 7
Sep 22 11, Test 1 Ch.11: 14-18, 21, 24, 27, 28, 30 None
Sep 27 11
Sep 29 12 Ch. 12: 6, 9, 12, 25, 29 1, 3, 4, 6
Oct 04 12
Oct 06 13 Ch. 13: 11, 14, 15, 29, 37, 56 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
Oct 11 13, 14, Lab 2 - Densities
Oct 13 14 Ch. 14: 3, 9, 16, 20, 47, 51 1, 4, 5
Oct 18 15, Test 2 Ch. 15: 2, 9, 11, 21, 42, 57 1, 2, 3
Oct 20 15
Oct 25 19 Ch. 19: 7, 9, 15, 17, 21, 35, 44 2, 3, 4, 6
Oct 27 19
Nov 01 20 Ch. 20: 6, 7, 8, 20, 36, 43, 48, 49 1, 3, 4, 7
Nov 03 20 Lab 3 – Speed of sound
Nov 08 22 Ch. 22: 2, 3, 8, 17, 24, 28, 31, 50, 54 1, 6, 7
Nov 10 22, Test 3
Nov 15 23 Ch 23: 3, 15, 16, 22, 29, 46, 50, 51 1, 4, 5, 6, 8
Nov 17 23, Lab 4 – Ohm’s Law
Nov 22 24 Ch. 24: 9, 14, 27, 32, 38 None
Nov 24 Thanksgiving Holiday
Nov 29 26, Test 4 Ch. 26: 10, 12, 16, 17, 18, 43 5, 7, 8
Dec 01 27 Ch. 27: 1, 4, 12, 17, 18, 26, 29 None
Dec 06 33, 34 Ch. 33: 2, 9, 23, 31, 48 1, 3
Dec 08 33, 34 (Ch. 34: 1, 7, 16)
Dec 13 FINAL EXAMINATION
Notes: (1) Each chapter will be discussed in class on the date indicated. It is to your advantage to read
the section(s) to be discussed before coming to class.
(2) Homework Exercises at the end of each chapter will be assigned each week. These will be
collected for homework credit. For more practice, it is recommended that you work
additional problems For example, you can work every other odd problem and get
immediate feedback by checking your answers provided in the workbook.
(3) Homework Problems at the end of each chapter will also be assigned each week, and will be
collected for homework credit. It is suggested you work additional problems for more practice.
The schedule may be revised by the instructor as necessary to meet course objectives.