Physics 167 -- Astronomy

Spring 2024


 

 


Meetings
 Instructor Lab Projects
 Homework
Grade Weighting
 Exam Schedule
 Late Policy
 Course Calendar



Course Description

      


Class Meetings:  M W F 3rd period, SMC D108.

Instructor: Tom Moses, D116 SMC, tel: x7341.  You are encouraged to see me for help or hints with the homework problems or computer assignments anytime you can find me in the physics wing.
     Email the instructor: tmoses@knox.edu

Course Text:
Bennett, Donahue, Schneider, and Voit, The Essential Cosmic Perspective, 8th edition (Pearson, 2018). 7th edition is also OK.

Homework:

Problems sets will be assigned regularly, due in class at the beginning of class.   In any science course, faithful and timely completion of the homework is important.  In this course, we will cover ground at a rapid pace and good homework habits are crucial.  Do not fall behind--it is very difficult to catch up!  You are encouraged to work together on homework problems, but the final write-up you turn in must be your own unique product. Of course, I am happy to answer questions and give hints on the homework problems any time you find me in the physics wing.

The use of online homework aids or solution manuals is prohibited.



Homework Calendar -  Spring 2024
Homework Set
 Homework Problems
 Due Date
1
 Homework 1
 Fri. 4/5
2
 Homework 2

Fri. 4/12
3
 Homework 3

Mon. 4/22
4 Homework 4 Wed. 5/1
5 Homework 5 Fri. 5/3
6 Homework 6 Mon. 5/13
7 Homework 7 Mon. 5/20
 8 Homework 8 Fri. 5/24
9 Homework 9 Wed. 5/29

Lab Projects
Project
 Lab Projects
 Due Date
1
 Lab Project 1
 Wed. 4/10
2
 Lab Project 2

Wed. 4/24
3
 Lab Project 3
 Fri.  5/17




Grade Weighting:

Homework 
15%
Lab Projects  10%
Quizzes 10%
In-class exams
20% each
Final exam
(cumulative)
25%

In-Class Exam Schedule:
   Exam 1    Wednesday, April 24
   Exam 2     Monday, May 20
       Final Exam  Monday, June 3 1:30-4:30

Late Policy:  Like most science courses, Physics 167 covers ground at a rapid rate and you are strongly advised not to fall behind.  Please contact me as early as possible if you need help.  Extensions can be arranged in case of illness, emergencies, and travel (but not due to deadlines in other classes)--contact the instructor in advance when possible. Late homework gets a 20% deduction per working day.

Attendance Policy: Class attendance is required, and a penalty will be assessed for unexcused absences or repeated tardiness.
Course Calendar
Day
 Topics
   
Week 1
Wed. 3/27
 Ch 1 Modern View of the Universe
Fri. 3/29
 Ch 1-2 Discovering the Universe for Yourself
       
Week 2
Mon. 4/1
 Ch 2
Wed. 4/3
 Ch 3 Science of Astronomy
Lab 1 due
Fri. 4/5
 Ch 3-4 Motion, Energy, and Gravity
Quiz 1 on Ch 1, 2
Homework 1 due (Ch 1, 2)
       
Week 3
Mon. 4/8 Ch 3 Solar Eclipse today!
Wed. 4/10 Ch 4 Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity
Fri. 4/12 Ch 5 Light: The Cosmic Messenger
Homework 2 due (Ch 3, 4)
Quiz 2 on Ch 3, 4
       
Week 4
Mon. 4/15 Ch 5
Wed. 4/17 Ch 6 Formation of the Solar System
Fri. 4/19
Ch 6
   
Week 5
Mon. 4/22 Ch 6
Quiz 3 on Ch 5, 6
Homework 3 due (Ch 5, 6)
Wed. 4/24 Exam 1

Lab 2 due
Fri. 4/26 Ch 7 Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds
   
Week 6
Mon. 4/29 Ch 9 Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts
Wed. 5/1 Ch 11 - Our Star
Homework 4 due (Ch 7)
Fri. 5/3 Quiz 4 on Ch 7, 9
Homework 5 due (Ch 9)
Ch 12 Surveying the Stars
   
Week 7
Mon. 5/6 FLUNK DAY!
Wed. 5/8 Ch 11, Ch 12-Surveying the Stars
Fri. 5/10
Ch 12
   
Week 8
Mon. 5/13 Homework 6 due (Ch 11, 12)
Quiz 5 on Ch 11, 12

Ch 13 Star Stuff
Wed. 5/15 Ch 13, Ch 14 The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard
Fri. 5/17 Ch 14
Lab 3 due
Quiz 6 on Ch 13
   
Week 9
Mon. 5/20 Exam 2
Homework 7 due (Ch 13, 14)
Wed. 5/22 Ch 15 Our Galaxy
Fri. 5/24 Ch 15, 16 A Universe of Galaxies
Quiz 7 on Ch 14, 15
Homework 8 due (Ch 15)
   
Week 10
Mon. 5/27 Ch 16 
Wed. 5/29 Ch 17
Quiz 8 on Ch 16, 17
Homework 9 due (Ch 16, 17)





        This page was last modified on: 5/30/2024