General Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics
PHY 161.001/002 --- Fall 2007 Syllabus
Physics Department --- Mercer University

 

This course is the first in the two-semester sequence PHY 161/162 General Physics I/II, a calculus-based introduction to physics. The main theme in this course is that of mechanics of point particles and extended objects. Following a brief introduction to physics and a mathematics review, we will consider a series of major topics: Kinematics, Newton's Laws of Motion, Energy and Momentum, Rotation, Fluids, Oscillations and Thermal Physics.

 

Students will learn to think scientifically about the physical world, analyze systems mathematically, reach qualitative conclusions, and compute accurately numerical answers to specific questions. Although we will cover a number of topics and physical systems, the students’ goal should be to learn to think about nature and solve problems as physicists (scientists) do. This course is intended primarily for physics, chemistry, math, and engineering majors, but is also recommended for others with good mathematical aptitude, including pre-med students and life sciences majors. Students must already have a working knowledge of geometry, algebra, and trigonometry. Co-requisite courses are MAT 191 Calculus I, and PHY 121L Basic Physics Lab I: Students must be concurrently enrolled or have equivalent prior academic credit. 

Lectures: During scheduled class periods the instructor will discuss the theoretical and conceptual aspects of the course topics, do examples and textbook problems, go over homework solutions, answer questions, ask questions to stimulate thinking and discussion, and try to get the class interested in physics. We will also do  quizzes and exams. When possible, we will see classroom demonstrations.

Homework problem sets (about 12, not graded for credit): There will be a homework assignment for each chapter of the text that we cover, except for Ch. 1. These will be posted on the web page with a due date; the answers will be posted after the due date and discussed in class as necessary. Although the homework will not be graded, students should consider that in order to be fully prepared for the exams, they must practice solving numerical problems. The homework sets give them a chance to do that. It is recommended that students do not look at published solutions for the homework problems until they have solved them, or at least made a substantial effort to that end. Working on the homework problems in groups is also very beneficial for most students.

 

GRADED GROUP WORK: Quizzes

 

Short quizzes (10% of the total grade): During the class periods devoted to each chapter, there will be one or two short quizzes. These will not be announced ahead of time. Each quiz will consist of a short calculation like one presented previously in class or in the textbook, or a number of qualitative questions. To do well in these quizzes, it will be very helpful for students to come to class already familiar with the textbook material. Students may work individually or in groups, and they may use the textbook or any other resources they bring to class. However, each student must hand in their own separate quiz paper. Their name must be written on the paper, and they must sign the paper themselves; otherwise they will receive no credit... After the quiz papers have been collected in class, the instructor will go over the solutions. There will not be any make-up quizzes: If a student misses a quiz, they will receive a zero for that quiz unless they have a valid excuse.

  

Chapter quizzes (one per chapter, for 20% of the total grade): After a chapter has been covered in class, on the day announced by the instructor, there will be a multiple-choice quiz on that chapter. Students may work individually or in groups, and they may use the textbook or any other resources they bring to class. However, each student must hand in their own separate quiz paper. Their name must be written on the paper, and they must sign the paper themselves; otherwise they will receive no credit... After the quiz papers have been collected in class, the instructor will go over the solutions. There will not be any make-up quizzes: If a student misses a quiz, they will receive a zero for that quiz unless they have a valid excuse.

 

Note: It is unethical, and a violation of the honor code of this university, for any student to submit a paper for credit, knowing that some person whose name appears on the paper did not contribute significantly to that piece of work. This applies not only to homework sets but also to quizzes, in-class problem sets, exams, term papers, lab reports and any other work you do at this or any other school...

 

GRADED INDIVIDUAL WORK: Exams

 

Exams (four, for 40% of the total grade): The regular individual exams (A, B, C and D) will include only quantitative numerical problems. They will be closed-book, but students will have access to a formula sheet (provided by the instructor); students must bring heir own calculator. Each exam will count for about 10% of the total grade, but this will vary slightly depending on the material covered. The topics and tentative dates for the exams are as follows:
   Exam A (W 9/19): Vectors and Kinematics [Ch. 2, 3, 4],
   Exam B (F 10/12): Newton's Laws [Ch. 5, 6],
   Exam C (W 11/7): Energy and Momentum [Ch. 7, 8, 9],
   Exam D (M 12/3): Rotation, Fluids and Oscillations [Ch. 10, 14, 15].

Comprehensive Exam (30% of the total grade): This will be open-book, individual, comprehensive and composed entirely of multiple choice questions. Students may only use their textbook and a calculator. It will be given on the final exam day: 
    Section 001: R 12/13, 9am-noon,
    Section 002: F 12/14, 9am-noon.

 

Note: For both the Exams and the Comprehensive Exam, each student must write their name on the paper, and they must sign the paper themselves; otherwise they will receive no credit...

 

Grading: How much weight is given to each activity, in percentages of the final grade, is shown in the left table below. The final letter grade will be determined using the scale shown in the right table below.