Course Information
Physics 120 -- Heat, Waves, and Light – Winter 2010
Instructors:
Chuck Schulz, Office: D116 SMC, ext. 7397, cschulz@knox.edu.
Class Meetings:
Section 1 MWThF 2nd period, D108 SMC (Schulz).
Section 2 MWThF 6th period, D108 SMC (Reno) -- Section 2 specific information.
Text: Douglas C. Giancoli, Physics for
Scientists and Engineers, 3rd ed. (Prentice-Hall,
Course Website: http://course.knox.edu/physics120/
Direct connection to the homework site (if Knox web server is down): http://wug.physics.uiuc.edu/cc/knox/phys120/winter/
Link to course calendar: Course Calendar
Homework: Homework problems sets, adapted from Giancoli’s text, will be available on-line at the course website. The Tycho 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 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.
Labs: Laboratory sessions will be held every Tuesday in D105 (across the hall from the classroom). Information for each week's lab will be distributed in class on Mondays. The final lab of the course (Tuesday, March 10) will consist of a lab practical exam: a series of exercises in which you will take data and do calculations based on the data.
Lab instructor: Chuck Schulz, cschulz@knox.edu.
Exams: There will be two mid-term exams and a
final exam, as well as a few periodic small quizzes.
|
Midterm exam 1 |
Friday, Jan. 29 |
|
Midterm exam 2 |
Friday, Feb. 26 |
|
Final |
|
Grade Weighting:
|
Homework |
15% |
|
Labs |
15% |
|
Quizzes |
10% |
|
Midterm exams |
30% |
|
Final exam |
30% |
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 |
|
|
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 |
Ch 16, 33 |
| 7 |
|
Light reflection and refraction |
Ch 33, 34 |
| 8 |
|
Lenses and optical instruments |
Ch 34, 35 |
| |
Exam 2 |
||
| 9 |
|
Wave nature of light, interference |
Ch 35, 36 |
| 10 |
|
Diffraction of light, polarization |
Ch 36 |