COURSE SYLLABUS, Spring 2007

COURSE SYLLABUS, Spring 2008

Physics 107

Technical Physics

Great Basin College

Instructor:Ryan Knutsvig

Office:Lundberg Hall Room 123

School Phone:(775) 753 – 2330

School Fax:(775) 738 – 8771

Email:

Office Hours:M W:5:00 – 5:30 PM

Class Meeting Times:5:30 PM 6:45 PM M W Lundberg 123

Submission Time:All assignments (homework) are due in by Sunday NIGHT 11:55 PM using WebCT. Do not hand in anything late! See the schedule at the end of the syllabus for due dates.

Prerequisite:MATH 096 or higher or equivalent

Textbook:none – we will use class notes

Your Lab book:Black Speckled (by Mead for example) graph type from bookstore

Catalog Description:TECHNICAL PHYSICS 107:

Investigates the traditional topics of physics as they apply to mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and thermal systems. This course provides a basic understanding of how physical systems are related and their technical applications. Hands-on activities, demonstrations, and calculations are an integral part of the course.

Lab Notebook

Course Description and Objectives:

Technical Physics is a 3 Credit elementary algebra-based physics course designed with the mechanically oriented professional in mind. The problems that we work on will generally be of the “one-step” nature – meaning that a student can perform well with just basic algebra skills. The pre-requisite for this course is Math 096 or higher. If you do not have this pre-requisite you will probably not do well in this course.

The topics to be covered in this 15 week course include mechanics, energy, properties of matter, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, light, atomic and nuclear physics. A more specific outline of the topics and planned schedule is included with this syllabus.

This course will be mainly a hands on laboratory course. Every day that we meet we will perform an experiment dealing with a specific scientific topic. Students must complete simple lab reports and homework on the material that we are investigating. The lab reports are due on the day that you do the experiment. We will have a comprehensive midterm and final exam for this course. In addition, a one-page term paper is due by the last day of class (the day of the final exam).

Expected Course Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, students should meet the following expectations:

1.Be able to determine the density of an object.

2.Calculate velocity from distance and time measurements.

3.Determine “g” from dropping mass measurements

4.Determine “g” from a simple pendulum.

5.Calculate an acceleration using Newton’s Second Law

6.Be able to solve for a net force on a mass.

7.Be able to determine the kinetic energy of a moving object from velocity and mass measurements.

8.Determine the mechanical advantage of a pulley system.

9.Determine the coefficient of sliding friction.

10.Calculate the rotational velocity of a gear system

11.Calculate the torque developed by a torque wrench

12.Apply Ohms Law to determine the current in a simple battery-resistor circuit.

13.Mathematically solve simple series and parallel circuits

14.Determine the amount of energy stored in a charged capacitor.

15.Explain the operation of an electrical transformer

16.Make an electro-magnet

17.Explain the difference between a shunt and series DC motor.

18.Show simple waveforms in a half wave rectifier.

19.Setup a simple transistor circuit.

20.Describe the wavelengths of a spectra using a simple spectroscope.

21.Calculate gas pressure using Boyles Law

22.Describe the basic hookup of a wire thermocouple.

23.Determine the specific heat of zinc from calorimetry measurements

24.Determine thermal conductivity of aluminum from temperature measurements.

25.Calculate fluid velocity using Bernoullis equation (simple experiment)

26.Determine viscosity from a simple falling ball viscometer.

27.Determine half life (of a short half life material) using a Geiger Counter.

All of the above will be tested in both the MIDTERM (those covered prior to MIDTERM) and FINAL exam and appropriate feedback analysis will be undertaken to make corrections to the content of this course.

Method of Instruction:

This course is basically a laboratory course with open discussion about the material being covered. There will be:

1.Weekly homework

2.Weekly lab reports

3.Midterm exam

4.Final exam

5.One-page term paper

New lessons start every time we meet. It is your responsibility to check the schedule (attached to this syllabus) to see what is required and when the homework 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 WebCT. Both the Midterm and Final Exam will be available on WebCT. Do not wait until the last minute. The deadlines for this course are immutable.

Homework: (Measurement)

Homework assignments will be required. They are all due on Sunday night at 11:55 PM. These are found in the Homework section of WebCT. For some idiotic reason, WebCT places homework under the Quiz and Survey heading. It is homework nevertheless. There are important rules governing this aspect of the course:

1.Homework will consist of five questions from the material being covered for that lab. These questions will involve a basic level of mathematics as explained above. You will use WebCT to answer the questions. Since you have several days to complete the homework, and it is an open-book, open note environment, no partial credit can be given for wrong answers. They will be multiple choice questions. You will find the homework listed in the Homework and TEST section of WebCT. You answer the questions using your computer. You do not make a Word file. You just use the WebCT 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 WebCT. 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 WebCT. Only use WebCT.

2.I will grade the homework turned in and you will be able to access it using WebCT. I will grade it by the next class time so it can be discussed if you have a particular question about the solutions.

3.Once you submit the homework on your computer, it is gone, it cannot be re- submitted.

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.

5.There is no time limit placed on the homework assignment as long as you turn it in by the deadline. You will see that the homework is “open” for 500 days. This is the default technique used in WebCT to allow you to open and close your homework during the week. You must however turn in the homework by the cutoff time for that particular homework. The cutoff times are listed at the end of this syllabus.

About missing a homework assignment: Here are the rules:

1.If you do not submit the homework assignment when due, you will receive a zero for that assignment. It cannot be made up. Please do not ask.

2.You can be excused if you provide a medical doctors note explaining that you could not complete the homework due to a medical emergency. This exception is listed for students who have an unforeseeable emergency occur and are just unable to complete the material. There are reasonable limitations set on this section however. You have plenty of time to submit the homework (one week).

3.You can be excused if you make prior arrangements with me. For example, you may have to go on a business trip where there is just no way you can complete an assignment being out of town. We will work it out but you must let me know ahead of time and not after the fact. There are reasonable limitations set on this section however.

Make sure that your computer configuration is compatible with a WebCT class. Go over the information provided by WebCT. If you have technical questions go to the Technical Help Desk at your facility (e.g. High Tech Center). The phone number of the Elko HTC is: (775) 753-2160. It is a good idea to start the homework early in the week to make sure that you can work the WebCT from your computer. There is nothing I can do if you have computer trouble at the last minute before the assignment is due.

Tests:(Measurement)

There will be one MIDTERM and one FINAL exam.

1.These tests will consist of questions from the material that was covered in our labs. These questions, like the homework will involve the basic mathematics described above. Since it is an open-book open notes environment, no partial credit can be given for wrong answers.

2.I will grade the MIDTERM TEST and return them in the next class.

3.Test problems will be multiple choice format. They must be the correct answer to get credit. 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 and will also be on WebCT. It will be comprehensive and cover all material discussed in class, and all experiments performed. It will be 20 questions. The rules about missing the FINAL EXAM are the same as missing a test.

About missing a MIDTERM or FINAL EXAM.: Here are the rules:

1.If you do not take the MIDTERM you will receive a zero for that TEST. It cannot be made up. Please do not ask.

2.If you do not take the FINAL EXAM you will receive a zero for that TEST. It cannot be made up. Please do not ask.

3.You can be excused if you provide a medical doctors note explaining that you could not complete the test due to an emergency or sickness. This exception is listed for students who have an unforeseeable emergency occur. There are reasonable limitations set on this section however.

Labs: (Measurement)

As mentioned earlier there will be lab assignments every time we meet. You will be required to turn them before you leave. You will perform the experiment and extract data from it. Adequate time will be given for filling in the information in the Lab assignments. These labs will serve to teach the method of scientific investigation and/or to demonstrate concepts being discussed during that days lesson. Since lab reports are an integral part of our class, there are rules for missing labs:

1.Your lab report must be turned by the end of class time.

2.I will grade the lab report turned in and return it to you prior to by the next time we meet.

3.Please insure that you provide everything that is asked for in the procedure. If you leave out required sections you can rest assured that you will not get the credit for those sections. You should check every listed requirement prior to handing in your report.

About missing a lab: Here are the rules:

1.If you do not submit the lab report when due (at the end of class), you will receive a zero for that lab. It cannot be made up. Please do not ask. We cannot re-setup lab experiments.

2.You can be excused if you provide a medical doctors note explaining that you could not be at school due to an emergency. This exception is listed for students who have an unforeseeable emergency occur and are just unable to complete the material. There are reasonable limitations set on this section however since you have plenty of time for the lab report.

TERM PAPER: (Measurement)

In addition to the above, one very short term paper (only 1 page) dealing with a famous physicist, chemist, scientist, engineer or inventor (that you choose) is also required. I will use these papers as a factor in determining your grade if you are on the border line between grades. The rules of plagiarism apply to this term paper. If you just download and copy you will not get any credit. Remember I can always Google your words if it looks suspicious. This must be submitted by the last day of class (by the day and time of the FINAL EXAM). You can submit it early to get it “out of the way”. It is only one page long but adds 5 points to your final grade! Submit the term paper as a WORD file using WebCT. Please save the lab report file with a name that has your name in it as well as the assignment. For example:PHYSICS107BTERMPAPER.2008EdSmith.

Grading:

Not all activities carry the same weight. Here is how we will partition the sections:

Homework:45%

Term paper:5 %

Lab reports:30 %

Midterm test:10%

Final exam:10 %

Obviously, it is important to be prepared to do your best on the homework. In the past it was noticed that some students may gather together and complete the homework collectively. This usually improves the stronger students who tend to lead the group but injures the weaker ones who just copy and follow. Remember both the MIDTERM and the FINAL exam are an independent effort - you take it solo since the questions will be different for each student. It is best if you work the homework problems yourself. If you are having trouble, see the Tutoring Center for help.

If your calculated grade is:

Between100% and 97%=A+ (listed as A)

96% and 90%=A

89% and 87%=B+

86% and 80%=B

79% and 77%=C+

76% and 70%=C

69% and 51%=D

less than 50%=F

Attendance:

Attendance will not be taken. You will be responsible for the tests and labs. Both must be turned in on time.

Withdrawal:

A student may receive a "W" (withdraw) grade only if withdrawal occurs before the end of the thirteenth week of the semester. To withdraw, the student must inform the instructor verbally or in writing why the withdrawal is taking place, and must formally withdraw through student services. If a student does not complete the course, but does not formally withdraw, an "F" grade will be issued. "I" grades for "incomplete" will be given only under the most extenuating circumstances, and only with prior approval of the instructor.

Services for Students with Disabilities:

"GBC supports providing equal access for students with disabilities. An advisor is available to discuss appropriate accommodations with students. Please contact the ADA Officer in Elko at (775) 753 - 2271 at your earliest convenience to request timely and appropriate accommodations".

Not a Contract Disclaimer: This document does not in any way represent a contract.

Please check the next page, which show what we will cover in PHYSICS107. Here is listed the week by week course requirements. On this schedule you will find the due dates. That means you should look at this date and perform the work required prior to this date. You must submit material listed prior to this date. All assignments will be available on Web CT with sufficient time.

What we will study for this Spring 2008 Semester: Monday – Wednesday

(The dates may be modified later in the semester)

DaysSectionBasic DescriptionLab

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Jan 23Lesson 1Length and mass measurementsDensity

Jan 28Lesson 2:Velocity measurements and problemsVelocity with an Air track

Jan 30Lesson 3:Acceleration Determination of “g” – Ball Drop

Feb 4Lesson 4:The PendulumDetermination of “g” - Pendulum

Feb 6Lesson 5:Forces - movement and accelerationTilted air track

Feb 11Lesson 6:Forces - static equilibriumForce table

Feb 13Lesson 7:Energy ConservationAirtrack and the spring cart

Feb 20Lesson 9:Pulleys and machinesAdvantage with Pulleys

Feb 25Lesson 10:FrictionCoefficient of Sliding friction

Feb 27Lesson 11:MachinesHydraulics

Mar 3Lesson 12:Circular Motion - torquesThe balance

Mar 5Lesson 13:Electricity - basic terms Ohms lawBasic electricity

Mar 10Lesson 14:Electricity - series and parallel circuitsS and P circuits

Mar 12Lesson 15:CapacitorsEnergy storage

Mar 17Lesson 16:TransformersTransformers

Mar 19MIDTERM EXAM (on WebCT)

NO SCHOOL March 24– 29 Spring Break

Mar 31Lesson 17:Magnetism - basic unitsMaking magnets

Apr 2Lesson 18:MotorsMotors

Apr 7Lesson 19:Solid stateDiodes

Apr 9Lesson 20:TransistorsTransistors

Apr 14Lesson 21:Optics- wavelength of lightSpectroscopes

Apr 16Lesson 22:Gas Laws Boyle’s Laws

Apr 21Lesson 24:Thermo – thermocouplesThermometers

Apr 23Lesson 25:Thermo – specific heatSpecific heat of zinc

Apr 28Lesson 26:Thermo – heat conductivityConductivity of Aluminum

Apr 30Lesson 28:Fluids – Bernouli’s equationPeeing can

May 5Lesson 29:Fluids – viscosityBall viscometer

May 7Lesson 30:Modern Physics - radioactivityHalf-life Radioactivity

May 14Final Exam on WebCT