Physics 130A - Course Information
Spring 2016
Professor: Mark Shroyer, Office D109 SMC, Phone: 7847
e-mail: mshroyer@knox.edu
Office Hours: TBA
Class Meetings: MTThF
1st period, D108 SMC.
Text: Douglas C. Giancoli, Physics
for Scientists and Engineers, 4th ed. (Prentice-Hall,
Also, you will need a Physics 130 Lab Manual. These will be distributed in class.
Course website: http://courses.knox.edu/physics130/
Topics: In this course, you will learn about Electricity and Magnetism (including an introduction to electric circuits) and have a basic introduction to the physics of fluids and to early models for the atom, which were the first steps in the development of quantum physics. We will assume no prior background in physics. While your text treats some topics with the use of calculus, no mathematical competency beyond algebra will be necessary to succeed in this course.
Homework. Homework problem sets, adapted from Giancoli's text, will be available on-line at the course website. The Physics 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 am on the due day. Generally, homework problems can be completed up to one week after the due date for half-credit. The last two homework sets must be completed by noon of reading day class 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 find solutions to specific problems that you will 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.
The use of online homework aids or solution manuals is
prohibited. Allowing someone to do a problem for you is a violation of
the honor code.
Finally, with regard to homework, you should not view the problems assigned as representative of the amount of homework necessary to learn the material. These problems are representative of an amount necessary to assess progress. Each student is strongly encouraged to work through the many examples in the text and to do as many problems (many with answers in the back of the text) that are required to understand the physics being taught.
Labs: Required. You will need a lab manual for this component of the course. One-period lab sessions are held each week in D105 SMC. More information about the lab component of the course will be distributed at the first lab meeting.
Lab instructor: Tom Moses, tmoses@knox.edu
Exams: There will be two one period midterm exams (Tues. April 19 and Tues. May 10). There will be a comprehensive final exam in this course.
Quizzes: There will be regularly scheduled
quizzes and occasional unscheduled quizzes. It is important to
come to every class and be well prepared. Quizzes can be made up
only on account of documented illness (via the Dean) or being off-campus for
activities representing the college (e.g. athletic competition, jazz band
performance etc.). It is your responsibility to inform me at the
beginning of the term (or ASAP) about conflicting off campus activities.
Grade Weighting:
|
Homework |
10% |
|
Quizzes |
10% |
|
Labs |
15% |
|
Midterm Exam -1 |
17.5% |
|
Midterm Exam -2 |
17.5% |
|
Final Exam |
30% |
Course Description:
This course concerns the phenomena of electricity and magnetism. We will find that electrical and magnetic forces constitute a basic kind of interaction between bodies, somewhat akin to the gravitational force. Electrical forces are the most important forces in everyday life, accounting for friction, the contact force exerted by surfaces, and the tension force holding a solid object (like you) together, as well as all the changes in molecular structure studied in chemistry. The description of electrical phenomena is simplified by the concept of a force field called the electric field, envisioned as a region of influence surrounding an electric charge. The field concept, one of the great creative leaps in the history of ideas, is basic to our modern understanding of nature. We will see that electric and magnetic phenomena are related, so much so that one may in fact speak of the electromagnetic field. It turns out that light is essentially a propagating wave of the electromagnetic field--your personal electromagnetic wave detectors are reading these words now. In the last week or so of the course, we will shift our attention to a new topic--fluids, an area of physics that is often unintuitive and full of interesting surprises.
Throughout the course, we will concentrate on developing two kinds of skills: (1) a qualitative, intuitive understanding of physical phenomena, and (2) quantitative reasoning and problem solving. Problem solving is an important part of the course, and it is certainly one of my goals to convince you that thinking hard about a puzzle in physics can be a lot of fun. The laboratory component (Wednesday) is another important part of the course, allowing for some hands-on experience (and tinkering) with circuits, magnets, and fluid systems. It should help remind us that physics is not an exercise in equation memorization, but an investigation of the rules of nature in which both reason and observation are essential players.
A brief word about coming attractions in the physics sequence: Modern Physics (Physics 205) completes the introductory tour of physics with Einstein's special theory of relativity, quantum mechanics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Classical Dynamics (Physics 312) combines a theoretical approach with practical problem solving and computer modeling of simple and complex systems in motion. Introduction to Research (Physics 241) introduces experiment design and uncertainty analysis, along with practical (and fun) topics like machining, electronics construction, and computer interfacing.