SYLLABUS, Introductory Physics I, Mechanics and Heat (PHY 141L.001)-1st Summer Term, 2000
Physics Department --- Mercer University
"Text": lab packets, available from instructor or in Willet Science Center 216
Class Meetings: TWR 1:30-4:00, WSC 108.
Instructor: Dr. Randall D. Peters
Office: WSC Room 115, Office phone: 301-2747 (home phone: 745-6963)
Office hours: M-F 8:45-9:15 & 11:00-11:30, or by appointment.
e-mail: peters_rd@mercer.edu
personal homepage: http://physics.mercer.edu/petepag/nonlin.htm
physics department homepage: http://physics.mercer.edu
This course is the laboratory counterpart to PHY 141, which is the first in the two-semester
sequence PHY 141/142 ,Introductory Physics I/II. The student is
introduced to the experimental fields of mechanics and heat. The essence of
this course will be the development of experimental skills in the target areas listed above. This will
include taking and recording data, graphical and/or mathematical analysis of this data, and
demonstration of understanding of what the data means with respect to the underlying physical
theories. Students will continue to develop an understanding of the statistical nature of experimental
data.
This algebra based course is concerned with the study of motion, forces, and energy-both mechanical and thermal.
Expectations
Incoming-Students should already have mastered essential elements of:
(i) reading and writing at the beginning college level, and
(ii) precalculus mathematics, specifically algebra and trigonometry.
Outgoing-By the end of this course, the student should be able (relative to experimental physics) to:
(i) demonstrate improvements in scientific communication, both
verbal and written, through self-consistent integration of mathematical
formulae and English language sentence structures,
(ii) better understand, both conceptually and quantitatively, some of the classical systems of physics, to include
a) Solving problems involving the motion of objects undergoing constant acceleration,
b) Applying Newton's three laws of motion to problems of dynamics,
c) Using the conservation of energy and momentum to simplify some problems,
d) Estimating variables which describe the state of an idealized fluid, and
e) Applying the laws of thermodynamics to simplified systems.
(iii) Discuss, without glaring errors, scientific principles that impact the lives of every individual.
(iv) Do the above in the context of experiment, providing meaningful estimates of observables and their uncertainties--recognizing that all measurements have errors which limit our abilities for specification.
LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS:
1. Math Practice and Vector Analysis
2. Error Analysis: Density Measurements
3. Linear Kinematics
4. Projectile Motion
5. Newton's Second Law
6. Statics
7. Rotational Kinematics and Dynamics
8. Energy Conservation
9. Momentum Conservation: Collisions
10. Rotational Energy and Conservation of Angular
11. Momentum
12. Periodic Motion
13. Heat Engines and The Ideal Gas Law
14. Thermal Expansion & Young's Modulus
Grading: For each lab report, the data tables and graphs will account for 60% of the grade:
The answers to questions and discussion/conclusions will account for the remaining 40%.
Final grade will be determined on the basis of the following scale, with all 14 labs being equally weighted:
Grading Scale: 60-D-70-C-80-B-90-A-100.
Safety: Careless handling of Lab equipment could be hazardous to your health. Always follow the instructions
of your instructor, and consider the well-being of your classmates as well as yourself. Think Safety First!
Miscellaneous policies:
1.All parts of this syllabus are tentative and subject to revision.
2.There are no make-up labs. However, if a student has an official excuse for a missed lab, such
as a note from a Dean's office, or a doctor’s note, their grade will not suffer. i.e., their grade for
that lab will be pro-rated.
3.There will be no dropped grades. All work done in the course will be counted.
4.There will be no extra-credit work.
5.The College of Liberal Arts' academic misconduct policy will be followed. In addition, all
students are bound by the Mercer University Honor Code.
6.Students are strongly encouraged to discuss with the instructor all their work during the
course, regardless of their grades. Questions about point awards should be brought up as
soon as possible, as all grades will be final one week after the materials are graded and
returned to the students.
7.Students who believe that they possess disabilities for which reasonable accommodation is
required must so inform the instructor at the close of their first class meeting. They must then
identify their disability and the accommodation requested. The instructor will refer them to the
office of the Dean of Students for evaluation, documentation of their disability, and a
recommendation as to the accommodation, if any, to be provided. Students who do NOT
consult with the instructor and follow up at the office of the Dean of Students, as provided
above, will thereby waive any claim to a disability and the right to any accommodation
pertaining thereto. All requests for reasonable accommodation are welcome also in regard to
absence from class for school representation (i.e., athletic or other events) or personal/family
problems.