COURSE SYLLABUS, Fall 2012
PHYSICS 100
Introductory Physics
Great Basin College
IAV Course
Instructor: Dr. Gary Hanington
Office: Lundberg Hall Room 123C (in back of 123)
School Phone: (775) 753 – 2330
School Fax: (775) 738 – 8771
School email:
WebCampus: Use Canvas Conversation
Office Hours: MW: 2:30 – 4:00 PM
F: 3:45 - 4:45 PM
Course Number: 1002-LEC (89946) in Elko
Class Meeting Times: Monday and Wednesday 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM
Submission Time: All assignments (homework, lab reports and TESTs) are due in by Sunday NIGHT 11:55 PM using WebCampus. Do not hand in anything late! See the schedule at the end of this syllabus for due dates.
Prerequisite: MATH 096 or higher
Textbook: Three textbooks are required for this class. The main textbook is very expensive but you can buy and use an earlier edition if you want. The second is a soft cover biography that you will read during the semester. The third is a simple lab notebook.
Textbook #1:
Name: Conceptual Physics
Author: Paul G. Hewitt
Edition: 11th
Publisher: Addison-Wesley
Copyright: 2010
ISBN: 0805391908 (includes workbook) recommended
ISBN: 0805393757 (just book by itself) not recommended
ISBN: 9780321568090 (as listed by the bookstore)
Remember, an 8th, 9th or 10th edition will do just as well. It is important to get the workbook also. The workbook explains the solutions to the problems at the end of each chapter.
Rev:--A
Textbook #2:
Name: Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman
Author: Richard P. Feynman
Edition: any one will do
Publisher: W. Norton and Company
Copyright: 1985
ISBN: 0393316041 (paperback) may have different front cover.
Any version or edition will do.
ISBN: 9780393316049 (according to the bookstore)
Course Textbook Supplementary Book Lab Notebook
Your Lab book: Black Speckled (By Mead for example) or graph type from Walmart or GBC bookstore
Catalog Description: PHYS 100 (3 credits)
A concise treatment of the basic principles of physics. Includes mechanics, matter, electricity, magnetism, heat, sound, light, relativity, and nuclear physics.
Course Description and Objectives:
Physics 100 is a beginning 3 credit course that covers a broad spectrum of physics in a conceptual manner. In this basic course we use mathematics in demonstrations of physical relationships in nature. We do not focus on intensive algebraic problem solving as in higher level physics courses. The problems that we work on will generally be of the simple “one-step” type – meaning that a student can perform well with just basic algebra skills (MATH 095 and 096). The topics to be covered in this 15 week course include mechanics, energy, properties of matter, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, light, atomic and an introduction to nuclear physics. A more specific outline of the topics and planned schedule is included at the end of this syllabus. In addition to normal weekly homework and tests there will be four laboratory exercises as a part of this course. These labs will be investigations into the subjects being studied and are quantitatively based using data acquired by the students. These simple lab reports must be handed in – they will be graded. These online videos will be available for students to watch a lab in progress and record data for their lab reports. There is a one page term paper due as well. We will also read, as a supplementary test, the book about the Nobel prize winning scientist Richard Feynman and have a TEST on the content of this book too.
Expected Course Outcomes (Objectives) and Measurements:
Listed below are the expected learner outcomes of the course, and the methods that will be used to measure students’ success in achieving these outcomes.
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Outcomes ------
1. L Be able to discuss Newton’s First Law of motion
2. Utilize the gravitational acceleration constant “g” in a free fall problem
3. Determine the acceleration of a mass when there are known forces acting on it in one dimension.
4. Be able to utilize the concept of conservation of energy, with respect to kinetic and gravitational potential energy.
5. Be able to describe the components and basic concepts of an atoms structure in comparison to early Greek notions of atoms.
Continued on the next page
.
Measurement
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Homework#1, TEST#1, FINAL EXAM.
Homework#2, TEST#2, FINAL EXAM, Lab report#1.
Homework#3, TEST#3, FINAL EXAM.
Homework#4, TEST#4, FINAL EXAM,
Homework#5, TEST#5, FINAL EXAM.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES (Continued):
Outcomes (continued)
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6. Be able to determine the density of a simple shaped object if the mass and dimensions are known. .
7. Be able to calculate the pressure at any depth in a lake.
8. Explain the origin of atmospheric pressure.
9. Be able to calculate the thermal energy placed into a substance if the appropriate parameters are known.
10. Be able to calculate the wavelength from wave speed and frequency.
11. Calculate inverse square problems when dealing with electric charge.
12. Calculate a simple Ohm’s Law and power circuit.
13. Explain the origin of magnetism.
14. Apply the concept of additive and subtractive color mixing.
15. Discuss the concept radioactive half life and the danger of radioactivity and the history of the atomic bomb..
Measurements (continued)
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Homework#6, TEST#6, FINAL EXAM, lab report #2.
Homework#7, TEST#7, FINAL EXAM.
Homework#8, TEST#8, FINAL EXAM.
Homework#9, TEST#9, FINAL EXAM.
Homework#10,TEST#10,FINALEXAM,,Lab report #3.
Homework#11, TEST#11, FINAL EXAM.
Homework#12,TEST#12,FINALEXAM, Lab report #4.
Homework#13, TEST#13, FINAL EXAM,
Homework#14, TEST#14, FINAL EXAM,
Homework#15, TEST#15, FINAL EXAM,
Self Assessment of Course.
Upon completion of the course, students should meet the above listed expectations. An assessment of these goals will be measured at the end of the semester by specific problems dealing with each item occurring on the FINAL EXAM. From this data an analysis is performed by the instructor to determine the level of learning by the students for each listed outcome. This will be used as feedback to assess the teaching methods utilized in this course for that particular outcome. Historically, it has been the practice to devote more time to the two outcomes that show the lowest level of success – as determined from Final Exam measurements.
Method of Instruction:
It is expected that the student will read and learn the required material in the proper time frame. We will cover at least one chapter per week from our textbook (and sometimes more than one for short chapters or sections).
There will be:
1. Weekly Homework
2. Weekly Tests (Including a FINAL EXAM)
3.. Four Lab reports
4. A One Page Term Paper due towards the end of the course.
5. Reading of the Feynman book. (A test will be given on this material)
New lessons start every week. It is your responsibility to check the schedule (attached to this syllabus) to see what is required and when the assignment is due. You should print out the schedule and constantly refer to it so you do not miss a deadline to turn material in. Everything is turned in using WebCampus. Do not wait until the last minute. The deadlines for this course are immutable.
Homework: (Measurement)
Starting with the first week, weekly homework assignments will be given with WebCampus. There are important rules governing this aspect of the course:
1. Homework will be ten problems from the material being covered that week. You will use WebCampus to answer the questions. Since you have a week to complete the homework, and it is an open-book environment, no partial credit can be given. You answer the questions using your computer. You just use the WebCampus function. Homework must be turned in by the cutoff time. It cannot be late. The cutoff time is always every week at Sunday Night 11:55 PM (including holidays). Everyone must be able to use WebCampus. There are no exceptions to this rule, do not bring me the homework, do not fax it in, do not email it to me directly, do not turn it in to my mailbox. Only use WebCampus. Only use WebCampus.
2. I will grade the homework turned in and you will be able to access it using WebCampus. I will grade it by Monday night.
3. With WebCampus you have the ability to open the homework, close it and open it again. You can do this multiple times. You do not need to leave it open on your computer. However, once you officially submit your homework on your computer, it is gone, it cannot be re- submitted.
(Homework continued):
4. Homework problems will be multiple choice format. Homework questions will be selected from a database on a random basis. In other words, the questions on your homework assignment will be different from those of the next student.
Hopefully Helpful Hints:
Make sure that your computer configuration is compatible with a WebCampus class. Go over the information provided by WebCampus. If you have technical questions go to the Technical Help Desk at your facility (e.g. High Tech Center in Elko). The phone number of the Elko HTC is: (775) 753-2160. It is a good idea to start the homework early in the week and turn it in by Friday. If a problem occurs, at least you have two days to solve the computer error. There is nothing that can be done if you have computer trouble at the last minute before the assignment is due and cannot turn it in. If you do not turn it in on time it will be recorded automatically as a zero. Always save your files just in case a problem occurs!
Tests: (Measurement)
Weekly TESTs will be given in class at the last 15 minutes of the Wednesday class. They will NOT be multiple choice questions. Since the class is over by 5:15 PM you must be prepared to answer the questions quickly and correctly on the weekly TEST. This is no time to start reading the material of the chapter.
1. Tests will be five problems of increasing hardness from the material we covered two weeks prior. You will hand in the TEST in class and at the off-sites to the proctor or facilitator. Since TESTs are open-book and open notes - no partial credit can be given. TESTs will have no time limit but the class shuts down at 5:15 PM.
2. I will grade the TEST turned in and hand it back by the upcoming Monday class.
3. TEST questions will NOT be multiple choice format. You must submit the proper answer for credit. I do not look at your work - you can use whatever calculation method works best for you. TEST questions will be selected from a database on a random basis. In other words, the questions on your TEST may be different from those of the next student.
4. The FINAL EXAM will be taken during FINAL EXAM week. It will be comprehensive and cover all chapters. It will be an in-class test. It will have a longer time format. The rules about missing the FINAL EXAM are the same as missing a TEST.
5. You cannot use a computer, Laptop, iPhone, cell phone, or any electronic device except a handheld calculator during an in-class TEST.
Labs: (Measurement)
As mentioned earlier there will be four lab assignments. You will be required to turn them in using the WebCampus function. Adequate time will be given for writing the Lab assignments. Turn in dates will be well posted. These labs will serve to teach the method of scientific investigation and/or to demonstrate concepts being discussed during that weeks lesson. A sample lab will be provided with WebCampus. You may need to be able to utilize a spreadsheet program (such as EXCEL) to print charts and extract information from data. There are important rules governing the lab aspect of the course. These labs will be available on a down - loadable video basis for all students. Along with the video demonstration, a data file will attached so that the student may use this data in their write-up.
1. Your lab report must be turned by the cutoff time using WebCampus. It cannot be late. The cutoff for the lab report is Sunday night 11:55 PM (including holidays) with the day for that lab listed. Everyone must be able to use WebCampus. There are no exceptions to this rule, do not bring me the lab report, do not fax it in, do not email it to me directly, do not turn it in to my mailbox. Only use WebCampus. Only use WebCampus.
2. I will grade the lab report turned in using WebCampus with comments.
3. Please make sure that you provide everything that is asked for in the procedure. The procedure will list the point structure of the report grading. If you leave out required sections you can rest assured that you will not get the credit for those sections. You should check that you have incorporated every listed requirement prior to handing in your report.
4. Please turn in all assignments in Microsoft WORD. If you send it in any other format I cannot download and grade it. If I cannot grade it, you will get a zero. Remember, do not use WordPerfect, do not use any other program other than Mircosoft WORD. The college officially uses WORD. Do not turn your report in in EXCEL. If you use EXCEL to plot a chart, copy and paste the chart into your lab report. If you use POWERPOINT to draw a picture, copy and paste that picture into your report. Do not give me a POWERPOINT file to look at. Do not send me a JPG file. I will only open your WORD file to grade so do not attach other files that you want me to open.
5. Please save the lab report file with a filename that has your name in it as well as the assignment.. For example: “PHYS100LAB1.2012JillSmith.doc”. This makes it easier for both you and I.
6. Once you submit the lab report on your computer, it is gone, it cannot be re-submitted.
7. You cannot just copy your friend’s lab report and submit it. Data presented with the video labs may be different for you. I know who is getting what data and will grade your results accordingly.
8. You CAN send me an EXCEL file (or other types) for me to look at ahead of time to make sure you are on the right track. But when you officially submit your report, it must be in WORD.