University of New Hampshire

Physics 402 (Term 2 of 2)

Introduction to Physics I

(Syllabus for other IPLS instructors)

Prof. Dawn Meredith
Physics Department
337 DeMeritt Hall
862-2063

Overview of the Course

This course will introduce you to fundamental principles of physics and how those principles apply to biological systems and other everyday experiences. We will focus on how to use mathematical and conceptual tools to model, describe, and understand the physical world.

The course format is a 50 minutes lecture three days a week, and a two-hour lab once a week. Lecture does include the use of peer instruction and clickers, and the lab time is sometimes used for cooperative problem solving.

The topics that we cover in the second semester are oscillations and waves (including light and sound), thermodynamics (focusing on diffusion, conduction, convection), electricity and magnetism, imaging and modern physics (supplementary text for professor by Suzanne Amador Kane “Introduction to Physics in Modern Medicine”). Topics that we leave out: heat engines, induction, E&M waves, AC electricity.

Text and MasteringPhysics Access

The text for this course is College Physics: A strategic approach by Knight, Jones and Field (Addison Wesley, 2010; 2ndedition). In order to get credit for homework, you will also need to purchase access to MasteringPhysics,an on-line homework management system.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of high school algebra, geometry, and trigonometry is essential. However, we will be sure to review mathematical tools as we need them and link the mathematics to the physical and biological concepts. We will provide tutorials on–line for brushing up on needed skills.

Week / Lab / Monday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
Jan. 24th / None / No classes / Intro to the course / Oscillations; Chapter 14
Jan 31st / Pendulum / Oscillations; Chapter 14 / Oscillations; Chapter 14 / Waves; Chapter 15
Feb. 7th / Resonance / Waves; Chapter 15 / Waves; Chapter 15 / Applications of waves
Feb. 14th / Light / Applications of waves / Exam Review on Waves and Osc / EXAM #1 / Exam 1 makeup;
Ray optics; Chapter 18
Feb. 21st / Heat 1 / Ray optics; Chapter 18 / Ray optics; Chapter 18 / Wave optics; Chapter 17
Feb. 28th / Heat 2 / Optical Instruments; Chapter 19 / Color / Moving Molecules; Section 12.8
March 7th / Makeup week I / Moving Molecules / Moving Molecules / EXAM #2 / Exam 2 makeup;
Moving Molecules
Spring Break
March 21st / Electric fields / Using Energy Ch 11 / Using Energy Ch 11 / Using Energy Ch 11
March 28th / Problem solving / Electric fields; Chap. 20 / Electric fields; Chap. 20 / Electric potential; Chap. 21
April 4th / Circuits lab 1 / Electric potential; Chap. 21 / Electric potential; Chap. 21 / Applications of electric fields
April 11th / Makeup week 2 / Applications of electric fields / Exam review / EXAM #3 / Exam 3 makeup
Current; Chap. 22
April 18th / Circuits lab 2 / Circuits; Chap. 23 /  / 
April 25th / Circuits lab 3 / Magnetism; Chapter 24 /  / Modern Physics and medical applications
May 2nd / Makeup week 3 / Modern Physics and medical applications / Modern Physics and medical applications / Modern Physics and medical applications
May 9th / No labs / Exam review; last day of classes / Reading day / Final Exams begin / 