| Course ID: | PHYS-2010-003 |
| Lecture Times: | MWF 11:30 p.m. - 12:25 p.m. |
| Lecture Location: | Brown Hall, Room 370 |
| Lecturer: | Dr. Donald Luttermoser |
| E-mail: | lutter@mail.rmspametsu.edu (delete "rmspam" from address before sending) |
| Office: | 280 Brown Hall (423-439-7064) |
| Office Hours: | W 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (280 Brown Hall) R 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (280 Brown Hall) |
| Textbook: | College Physics, 7th Enhanced Edition (2006) by Serway, Faughn, & Vuille |
| Week/Day | Topics | Readings | Note Sections |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 27-31 | Introduction & Math Techniques | Chapter 1 | I, II |
| August 31 | Math Tech Quiz during class | Your Background | II |
| September 3 | Labor Day | No Class | --- |
| September 5, 7 | Motion in 1 Dimension | Chapter 2 | III |
| September 10-14 | Motion in 2 Dimensions | Chapter 3 | IV |
| September 17, 19 | Newton's Laws of Motion | Chapter 4 | V |
| September 21 | Exam 1 | Chapters 1-4 | I-V |
| September 24-28 | Work & Energy | Chapter 5 | VI |
| October 1-5 | Linear Momentum & Collisions | Chapter 6 | VII |
| October 8-12 | Circular Motion & Gravity | Chapter 7 | VIII, IX |
| October 15 | Fall Break | No Class | --- |
| October 17, 19 | Gravity (cont.) | Chapter 7 | IX |
| October 22 | Exam 2 | Chapters 5-7 | VI-IX |
| October 24, 26 | Rotational Equilibrium and Dynamics | Chapter 8 | X |
| October 29-2 | Solids & Fluids | Chapter 9 | XI |
| November 5-9 | Thermal Physics | Chapters 10, 11 | XII |
| November 12 | Exam 3 | Chapters 8-11 | X-XII |
| November 14, 16 | Gas Laws | Chapters 10, 11 | XIII |
| November 19, 21 | Kinetic Theory | Chapter 10 | XIII |
| November 23 | Thanksgiving Break | No Class | --- |
| November 26-30 | Thermodynamics | Chapter 12 | XIV |
| December 3-7 | Thermodynamics (cont.) | Chapter 12 | XIV |
| December 10* | Final | Chapters 1-12 | I-XIV |
Please consult the ETSU supplemental syllabus attachment for other helpful university information.
Click here to view the web page for this course.
General Physics I is the first semester of a one-year course in physics; topics will include mechanics, heat and thermodynamics, and the properties of solids, liquids, and gases. The main goals of this course is to demonstrate to you how the Universe works and to teach you scientific methodology. General Physics I is a problem-solving course, that is, the measure of a student's progress is demonstrated by the ability to solve problems using algebra and trigonometry, and not just to quote laws and formulas. Your homework will be designed to help you develop these skills and the exams will test you on them. It is assumed that you have a reasonable working knowledge of algebra and trigonometry, but not necessarily at the college level. A good high school preparation is sufficient. There will be a quiz that will test your mathematics skills on August 31st. Should you not do well on this quiz, you should reconsider whether you should be taking this course. Doing physics means doing story problems in mathematics! You are expected to have (and know how to use) a good scientific calculator -- especially for exams. The Department doesn't have calculators to loan, and sharing of calculators on exams is NOT permitted. The book store carries such calculators.
There will be 1 quiz and 3 exams throughout the semester, plus a comprehensive final on the dates listed on the first page of this syllabus. Each will cover material prior to the test and be taken during class time (except the final) as shown in the table below. Note that the quiz score will not be included in your final grade. Each exam will be worth 40 points, and the final worth 100 points. Note that all physical constants and formulae that you may require will be supplied on the exams and quiz. Otherwise, the exams are closed book and notes -- you will not be allowed to consult any external items other than your calculator. An exception to this rule concerns the final. You will be allowed to bring one 8.5x11" sheet of paper to the final with anything you wish to write on it ("examples" might be a better idea than a grocery list). Written make-up tests will NOT be given! YOU ARE STRONGLY URGED NOT TO MISS A REGULARLY SCHEDULED EXAM! However, should an EXTREME emergency arise, get in touch with me as soon as possible (preferably before the exam) to work out an arrangement to take an oral make-up exam. You will be required to supply written proof (such as a doctor's note with the doctor's phone number) of the need for this absence. Let me reiterate, make-up exams are oral and NOT written tests and are very tough! Don't elect to take one of these exams unless it is absolutely necessary.
| Exam | Note Sections | Textbook Chapters | Date Given |
| Quiz | II | 1 & Appendix A | Friday, August 31, 2007 |
| 1 | I, II, III, IV, V | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Friday, September 21, 2007 |
| 2 | VI, VII, VIII, IX | 5, 6, 7 | Monday, October 22, 2007 |
| 3 | X, XI, XII | 8, 9, 10, 11 | Monday, November 12, 2007 |
| Final | I-XIV | 1-13 | Monday, December 10, 2007 3:50 p.m. - 5:50 p.m. |
There will be 4 homework sets assigned throughout the semester composed of two sections of questions. The first section will be questions generated by the CAPA software package. These questions must be accessed through a web browser and will be graded. If you don't have access to the web at home, you can use any of the computer labs on campus including the one in Brown Hall room 264. The second section of problems will not be graded and will have solutions posted in a reference binder on reserve at the Circulation Desk at the library (available on a two-hour loan). Try to do these problems by yourself before retrieving the solutions from the library. Doing both sections of questions will be a big help in studying for the exams and the CAPA problems will be used in calculating your final grade for the course.
Each exam will have a 5 point extra credit question on it. Roll will be taken occasionally during class and your attendance on those days will be counted for additional extra credit points (added onto your homework total). As such, it will pay not to miss too many classes. No other extra credit projects will be allowed, so don't even ask.
Many students find General Physics I & II very challenging and have a difficult time understanding the principles of physics and solving physics problems. Mainly, this is due to a lack of training of logical thought skills at secondary school. Due to this, there are two or three ways to get additional help with this course.
1. University Tutoring Services by the Inside Track program offered by the University (see http://www.etsu.edu/insidetrack/). An announcement about Supplemental Instruction will be made during lecture the first week of class.
2. Assistance from the Professor during office hours in Brown Hall 279 (see Page 1 of this syllabus).
3. Review Sessions prior to each exam (date and times to be determined during lecture the week prior to the exam).
4. Tutors for Hire can be obtained by the individual student taking General Physics. These tutors are typically physics majors who charge a fee for their services. Most of the physics majors can be found in Room 260 of Brown Hall.
The format of the exams will be similar to those sample exams in the reference binder in the library. Many of the "full-length" problems you will get on the exams will be modified versions of the example problems in the notes and textbook, and the supplemental homework problems in the reference binder. From these three sources, you will have access from anywhere from 10 to 25 examples for each section of the notes. This will be more than sufficient to fill your need for studying for the exams. The grading system will be based by the following formula:
The final grades will be based on the following scale:
| A | = | 90% or better | B- | = | 73-75.9% | D+ | = | 56-58.9% | ||
| A- | = | 88-89.9% | C+ | = | 70-72.9% | D | = | 50-55.9% | ||
| B+ | = | 86-87.9% | C | = | 62-69.9% | F | = | Less than 50% | ||
| B | = | 76-85.9% | C- | = | 59-61.9% |
Note that a failing grade also will be given if the student has engaged in any form of academic dishonesty. Finally, you should not talk to your classmates during the class -- that is no student will be allowed to disrupt the class. The only verbal communication allowed is asking the professor a question. IMPORTANT NOTE: This also includes the ringing of cell phones! Turn your cell phones off before coming into class! If you are caught at disrupting the class once, you will be warned. A second time will result in you being dismissed from the current lecture. A third and final time will result in you failing the course. Be courteous to your neighbors, they are paying hard earned money to take this course.