Course
Information
Physics
120 -- Heat, Waves, and Light – Winter
2026
Instructors
Tom Moses Office: D116 SMC, ext. 7341, tmoses@knox.edu
Mark
Shroyer Office:
D109 SMC, ext. 7847, mshroyer@knox.edu
Class Meetings
Section 1 MTuThF 2nd
period, D108 SMC (Moses)
Section 2 MTuThF 6th
period, D108 SMC (Shroyer)
Text
Douglas C. Giancoli,
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 4th
ed. (Prentice-Hall,
Course Website: http://course.knox.edu/physics120/
Direct connection to the homework site
https://physics.knox.edu/OnlineHW/phys120/winter
Homework Homework problems sets, adapted from Giancoli’s text, will be available on-line at the course website. The online homework software displays the problems, with your own individually-customized random numerical parameters, provides hints if requested, and gives instant feedback by telling you when your answer is correct. For full credit, homework sets are due by 9:00 a.m. on the due day. Homework problems can be completed up to one week after the due date for half-credit.
Working out the homework problems is probably the most important single aspect of the course for learning physics. It is in the effort to understand specific problems that you make real progress in understanding. You are encouraged to work together in groups on the homework problems; you may consult other books or people, and especially, you may feel free to consult me if you have trouble with a problem.
Honor Code, Internet Solutions, and AI (Artificial Intelligence Software)
You are expected to abide by the Knox
College Honor Code.
You may work together in groups to discuss and solve problems related to the homework problems and lab reports. In writing up your lab reports and calculating final solutions on the problem sets, each person must do his or her own work. The use of online homework aids or solution manuals is prohibited. Duplicate lab reports are not allowed, even by lab partners. You may share data with your lab partner only if both of you were present in the lab together collecting the data. You many not share any text written as part of your lab report.
The use of online homework aids and
solution manuals is prohibited.
You additionally are
not allowed to use AI (for example, chatGPT) to seek solutions to point
bearing
work (homework problems, lab reports, quizzes, and exams).
Doing so is a
violation of the Honor Code as you are presenting work that is not
yours for credit.
Additionally, while AI might effectively solve some of the problems
we’ll encounter, relying on it deprives you of the
opportunity to learn the underlying principles of physics. The purpose
of problem-solving is to help you learn the process, which often
involves working through challenges and making mistakes and learning
from them. Therefore, solutions provided by AI or other internet
sources are not appropriate to submit or use.
However, this does not mean that you can never use AI in relation to
the class. You may use AI to clarify content and assist with
understanding (but not for homework problems, lab reports, quizzes,
and exams). Always keep in mind, though, that AI frequently
makes errors in physics, particularly with mathematics, so use it
cautiously and critically. It is a poor substitute for speaking to your
professor!
As always, if you
are unsure if something is allowed, please ask!
Attendance
and Make-Up Policy
Class attendance is required, and
unexcused absences may trigger deductions from the course average. Up to 3 absences can be excused, by reporting
the
absence and the reason for it before the beginning of class. Only students with excused
absences are allowed to make up a missed quiz or exam.
Lab instructor Nathalie Haurberg, nhaurber@knox.edu.
Labs Laboratory sessions will be held every Wednesday in D105 (across the hall from the classroom). You will have a pre-lab activity due when you arrive to the lab session each week.
Exams There will be two mid-term exams and a comprehensive final exam, as well as a number of small quizzes.
|
Midterm exam 1 |
Friday, Jan. 30 |
|
Midterm exam 2 |
Tuesday, Feb. 24
|
|
Final |
During the normal scheduled Period
2 and Period 6 times (TBA) |
Grade Weighting
|
Homework |
15% |
|
Labs |
15% |
|
Quizzes |
10% |
|
2 Midterm exams |
35% |
|
Final exam |
25% |
Late Policy Homework completed within a week after the due date counts half credit. As usual in science courses, it is absolutely vital not to fall behind in the homework. Labs turned in late lose 10% per working day.
Physics 120 - Approximate Schedule
|
Week |
|
Topic |
Reading |
|
1 |
|
Temperature, thermal expansion, ideal gas law |
Ch 17, 18 |
|
2 |
|
Kinetic theory, heat |
Ch 18, 19 |
|
3 |
|
First law of thermodynamics and applications |
Ch 19, 20 |
|
4 |
|
Second law of thermodynamics and applications |
Ch 20 |
|
|
Exam 1 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Simple harmonic oscillation |
Ch 14, 15 |
|
6 |
|
Wave motion, sound |
Ch 15, 16 |
|
7 |
|
Light reflection and refraction |
Ch 32, 33 |
|
Exam 2 |
|
||
|
Lenses and optical instruments | Ch 34 | |
|
9 |
|
Wave nature of light, interference |
Ch 34, 35 |
|
10 |
|
Diffraction of light, polarization |
Ch 35 |
Final Exam