PHYS201: Introduction to Physics

Instructor: David Seckel
Room: 004 Kirkbride
Time: 9:05-9:55 MWF

PHYS201 is the first half of an algebra based introductory physics sequence (201-202) designed for non-majors. The course introduces kinematic variables, dynamical laws of motion, and conservation principles. Topics include linear and rotational solid mechanics, and fluid mechanics. (Optics is included in 202, thermodynamics is not covered.) MATH115 is prereq.

Course News

12/19 - Posted the final w/solutions on the Exams & Quizzes page. Generally, I thought the performance on the final was pretty good. I'm not sure of the effects of the eqn sheet. If you like, send me a comment. The exams are graded and available for pick up outside my office. They are in a box on the floor, next to the door. If you have questions, feel free to drop in, but I advise that office hrs are over :) Final grades are available on mycourses. If there are any remaining questions about grades for individual components please bring them to my attention.

I know that most of you will be taking 202, either in winter or spring. You should be using the same text book, and if you like the online Wiley Plus, it should be available for study with your current license. Best of luck. Feel free to drop in and tell me how it is going.

Older news.

E-mail Contacts

Instructor: David Seckel
Discussion leader: Peng Liu
Lab Instructor: Ozan Akdogan
Lab Instructor: Jun Wan
Lab Instructor: Bakhtyar Ali
Course Assistant: Shabbar Rizvi

Course Links

Exams & Quizzes    Lectures      Labs       Discussion sections

Homework        WileyPLUS

Syllabus    Semester Schedule (revised) (original) Weekly Schedule

Homework

Baseline: Each Friday homework will be assigned. Expect ~10 problems, or an equivalent number of problems + "concept questions" to be completed on WileyPLUS. In addition, two problems per week will be assigned to be turned in for hand grading. Assignments will be announced in class, on this web-page, and by e-mail. There are some exceptions to the Friday-Friday cycle around fall break and Thanksgiving. Consult the semester schedule or the list below for details.

Grading: Written HW problems must be prepared neatly and all work shown. Grading for written problems will be 5 pnts per problem. Here are my guidelines to the grader... "I'd like the problems graded on 5 point basis. Students should show work, not just write down the answer. A correct answer with *no* work shown should get 2 pnts. correct answer with basically correct logic in readable format give full credit. this is largely your judgement, I'm looking for evidence that they understand how to do the type of problem assigned. deduct 1 point if the work is really quite sloppy, so that you can't tell what they did. deduct one point for major math errors. When you deduct pnts, make a note on the paper for why you made a deduction."

I haven't completely figured out the WileyPLUS grading yet. It appears that problems have a default of 1 point per problem. I may vary that. (Mid-semester - the 1 pt per problem seems to work out OK.)

Due: Assignments are to be completed/turned in by 5:00 PM of the due date. For written problems, homework should be turned in at the end of class on the due day, or placed in the mailbox of Dr. Seckel in the Physics office 217 Sharp Lab. On the front page of written homework you should include (Name, HW assignment, Discussion Group). Discussion group is from 30D to 34D. (Modified mid-semester so that hand-in problems are due Friday, but Wiley Plus problems are to be completed by Monday at 9 pm.)

Return: Homework will be returned in class (hopefully the Wednesday after it is turned in). in discussion section, or may be picked up from my office the week after it is turned in. Any homework not picked up in discussion section after two weeks will be available in my office during office hours (or, if you can find me, outside office hours).

Solutions: Hand in homework has comments included in the grading. For WP, an "answer set" will be prepared as a separate ungraded assignment. This answer set will include the same problems, but with answers visible. The way Wiley Plus works, the numerical values within a given problem will be different for the answer set than the original assignment, so you can't just plug it in, but you can check that your technique gets the correct solution for the answer set, validating what you have done for the graded assignment. Not perfect, but perhaps useful.

Homework assignments:

#1. Assign. 8-31, Due 9-7: HW/ Ch 1: P 7, 46. Due 9-10: WileyPLUS - P3, 4, 9, 16, 34, 39, 44, 57, 65
#2. Assign. 9-7, Due 9-14: HW/ Ch 2: P 58, 84. Due 9-17: WileyPLUS - P 9, 12, 22, 30, 33, 41, 54, 62
#3. Assign. 9-14, Due 9-21: HW/ Ch 3: P 70, 76. Due 9-24: WileyPLUS - P 4, 6, 11, 17, 20, 30, 47, 58, 65, 72
#4. Assign. 9-24, Due 9-28: HW/ Ch 4: P 112, 116. Due 10-1: WileyPLUS - P 5, 11, 13, 15, 46, 47, 73, 89, 99, 102
#5. Assign. 9-28, Due 10-5: HW/ Ch 4: P 117, 119. Due 10-8: WileyPLUS - P 20, 30, 35, 38, 44, 48, 55, 67, 95, 106
#6. Assign. 10-5, Due 10-12: HW/ Ch 5: P 56, 60. Due 10-15: WileyPLUS - P 7, 21, 37, 45, 53
#7. Assign. 10-16, Due 10-22: HW/ Ch 6: P 83, 87. Due 10-23: WileyPLUS - P 5, 15, 17, 32, 34, 41, 55, 56, 60, 63
#8. Assign. 10-22, Due 11-2: HW/ Ch 7: P 59, 64. Due 11-5: WileyPLUS - P 7, 9, 13, 17, 19, 23, 34, 40, 47, 56
#9. Assign. 11-5, Due 11-9: HW/ Ch 8: P 71, 74. Due 11-12: WileyPLUS - P 5, 8, 18, 33, 35, 43, 46, 47, 56, 67
#10. Assign. 11-9, Due 11-16: HW/ Ch 9: P 76, 80 Due 11-19: WileyPLUS - P 6, 8, 11, 31, 38, 40, 43, 52, 56, 64
#11. Assign. 11-17, Due 11-26: HW/ Ch 10: P 87, 90 Due 11-26: WileyPLUS - P 3, 11, 17, 21, 24, 33, 42, 55, 69, 77
#12. Assign. 11-28, Due 12-4: HW/ Ch 11: P 98, 100 Due 12-3: WileyPLUS - P 5, 11, 12, 24, 38, 41, 50

Last modified: Dec 19, 2007