Dr. Joseph N. D. Dodoo
 

PHYS 121 - General College Physics I

Syllabus                                                  FALL SEMESTER

 

Course:             Physics 121 – General College Physics     I               

 

Section:                   0101           MWF  10:00 - 10:50         Hazel  Hall   2040      

                                0201            MWF  16:00 - 16:50         Carver Hall  1102

 

Prerequisites:          Math 109

 Co-requisite            PHYS 123 and MATH 110 

 

Instructor:                Joseph N. D. Dodoo; Ph.D. Physics 

 

Office Hours:            MWF    12:00 - 2:00 pm; PH:  410 651 6033; Email: jddodoo@umes.edu

                                    Carver Hall, Room 3105

 

 

Course Description  

This is the first of the two-semester course in non-calculus based physics. This semester we will cover topics in Mechanics and Thermodynamics. The course consists of three hours of lectures per week. Prerequisites are Math 109 with co-requisite PHYS 123 and MATH 110

                                

Course Goals - It is the goal of this class to help you acquire facility in understanding natural laws and to develop analytical skills important for your general and long term education. In order to achieve this end, we emphasize basic principles and the unity of physics. 

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES -

1        Students will be able to develop problem solving skills and be able to analyze and solve physics problems from first principles

2.         Students will be able to recognize and use pertinent formulae to solve specific problems

3.         Students will be able to relate equations to physical everyday physical phenomena

 PROCEDURE - In order to understand physics, you must acquire a new set of habits. Solving problems has long been regarded by physics instructors as a key to learning physics. To assist you in overcoming the difficulty in developing good problem-solving skills and habits, there will be tutoring between the hours of 10 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.  MWF in  Hazel Hall Room 3072.   

The class meets three times a week, and you will have exercises to do at home on a regular basis. The initial presentation of lesson material will be on the chalk board or overhead projection. Worked examples will then be given to be followed (on a time permitting basis), by problems which you will be required to solve applying the principles just covered. You must concentrate and work diligently in class so that you will have a clear idea of what you must do at home in order to clinch the lesson presented in class.

 DEVELOPING PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS -     Each exercise should be done first carefully, following each step. Then redo the exercise from memory.  Bear in mind that if you master each lesson as you proceed, the following ones will be easier; because each new lesson makes use of material introduced in earlier ones. If on the other hand, you fail to master each lesson, the course will become increasingly difficult, and, eventually, quite frustrating. As physics is a science of understanding your solutions to every problem must be based on fundamental principles and logic. If you do not understand what you have written, you should not expect the reader to understand it either.

 

IF YOU WANT TO DO WELL IN PHYSICS-           Never miss a class or a lab. Make a real effort to give complete attention to the work throughout the class or lab period. Master completely every detail of each lesson as you go along. Try to solve as many as possible the problems at the end of each chapter at home. Remember that the teacher, the book and the tutors will help you learn, but that, in the last analysis, you yourself will have to do the actual learning.

 

Homework:  Homework will be assigned regularly.  You must complete the assignment and submit on due date to receive full credit.  Homework assignments will be available at least one week in advance.  Homework due dates will be indicated on the assignment.  Typically, homework will be due at 5PM Friday.  There will be approximately 10 homework assignments, and the lowest three homework grades will be dropped.  Because the solution will be made available on the due date, no late homework will be accepted.  If you miss an assignment for a medical reason, you will need a signed medical excuse to have that grade dropped from your total.

 

Doing the homework is an essential part of learning physics.  For this reason, homework is a significant portion of your grade.  You are encouraged to work together with other students in small groups to complete the homework.  However, you must make sure you are learning the exercises, and not simply copying the answers or formulas.  Cheating will ultimately lead to your downfall on the exams – just do the homework, so you’ll learn to do the problems on the exams.  Attempt the homework early by yourself – then you’ll know what you do and don’t understand.  Then discuss the problems with the Tutors or your study group.

Quizzes:   Quizzes will also occasionally be given at the beginning or end of lecture.  This serves both as a tool to check your current state of knowledge as well as an encouragement for your attendance.  The quizzes will test material that has been covered in class. There will be approximately 10 quizzes, and the lowest three quiz grades will be dropped.  

 

 

Exams:  Exams will be closed book. However, from time to time a formula sheet will be supplied with the exam (see below).  The exams will consist of a number of short problems (some multiple choice, some true/false, and some two-line numerical problems), followed by 2-3 longer problems. 

 

The exams will focus on the concepts taught in the course, not on memorizing formulas.  The problems on the exam will be different than the homework; they will require less mathematics, and will rely more on understanding.  Because of the difference between the homework problems and the exam problems, you must prepare differently for the exams.  A practice exam will be available online before the real exam.  Quizzes given during lecture will introduce you to the type of problems that will appear on the exams.  The conceptual questions in the back of each chapter are also a good study aid for the exams.  A formula sheet will be   attached to the exam itself for your use during the exam. 

 

If you have a reason why you cannot attend an exam (religious holiday, official University business), see the instructor before the exam!  Only medical emergencies will be considered as excuses after the exams.  You must take all the exams, if you miss an exam with a valid excuse, a makeup exam will be given.

 

Grading:

 

 

Homework

(may drop 3)

10%

 

Lecture Quizzes

(may drop 3)

20%

 

Exams (3)

 

30% 

 

Final

 

40%

 

Letter Grade

 

 A 90  - 100

 

B

80 - 89.9

 

C

60 - 79.9

 

D

40 - 59.9

 

F

< 40

 

Required Textbook:    College Physics, Serway/Faughn; Publishers; Thomson, Brooks/Cole

 

Additional  Reading.

                Physics- The Easy Way - Barron's Educational Series Inc; Physics Today, Pub. American Institute of Physics, (monthly); PHYSICS - James S. Walker, Prentice Hall

               

Resources:     Interactive Physics - Available on all computers in DNS Computer Lab in Hazel Hall and all computers in Walters Building.    The software is self instructive and should be used

 

 Attendance Requirement

You are responsible for attending all lectures at all times during the semester. If you miss any class period without prior excuse you will be responsible for any missed topics. If your absence was on a day when a quiz or exam was given you should have no expectation of a makeup. Students attending department or campus sponsored activity have legitimate excuse and are not affected by this rule.

 

Attention:    

UMES Policy on Class Attendance

 

All students are expected to attend all classes.  Excessive unexcused absences for any reason may result in either a low grade or course failure.  All students will be considered excessively absent from a class if they miss a class more hours during the semester or term than the class meets each week.

 

 

Tardiness

It is expected that you will be in your seat on time before commencement of lectures. Up to 10 minutes late will be excused if not habitual. If you persistently come to class late, and especially more than 15 minutes into the lecture, you will be asked to leave.

                    

Additional Information

 This class runs concurrently with a laboratory session offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You must register in one of the lab sessions.

 

Cell phones:  No outgoing or incoming calls permitted. TURN YOUR CELL PHONE OFF DURING CLASS.

 

Tutoring sections:                   Hazel Hall 3072

 

Monday - Wednesday - Friday

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Note on tutoring sections:  For the benefit of the Tutors, please come with specific questions, i.e. read the chapter, review the lecture notes and attempt the homework problems. the tutor will then help you with the areas that you have not understood. Remember the tutor is there to help you, not to dole out answers to the home work or worst still do the home work assignment for you.

 

Course Outline:

             

  IMPORTANT      Problem solving will follow every topic on a regular basis  

 Chapter

 Section/Topic Period
   1                  Introduction  

 

 1.1   Standards of Length, Mass and Time Week 1

 

 1.3  Dimensional Analysis Week 1

 

 1.4  Uncertainty in Measurement and Significant Figures Week 1

 

 1.5   Conversion of Units Week 2

 

 1.7   Coordinate systems Week 2
  1.8   Trigonometry Week 2
     
   2                 Motion in One Dimension  
  2.1    Displacement Week 3
  2.2    Velocity Week 3
   001  Test  1             Friday, Sept. 22 Week4
  2.3    Acceleration Week 4
  2.5   One Dimensional Motion with constant Acceleration Week 4
  2.6   Freely falling Objects Week 4
 
    3                  Vectors and Two Dimensional Motion  
   3.1   Vectors and their Properties Week 5
  3.2   Components of a Vector Week 5
  3.3   Displacement, Velocity and Acceleration in 2-dimension Week 5

 

 3.4   Motion in 2-dimension Week 6

 

 3.5  Relative Velocity Week 6
     

    4

                 The Laws of Motion Week 6

 

 4.1    Force Week 6
  002 Test  2      Friday, Oct. 13     Week 7
  4.2 Newton's First Law and Inertial Frames Week 7
  4.3 Newton's Second Law Week 8
4.4  Newton's Third Law Week 8
  4.5 Applications of Newton's Laws Week 8
  4.6 Forces of Friction Week 8
     
   5 Energy Week 8
   5.1  Work Week 8
    5.1 Kinetic Energy and Work-Energy Theorem Week 9
  5.2 Work Done by a Constant Force Week 9
  5.3 Gravitational Potential Energy Week 9
  5.4 Spring Potential Energy Week 9
  5.6 Power Week 10
  5.7 Work done by a Varying Force Week 10
   003 Test  3         Monday, Nov. 13 Week 10
     
     6 Momentum and Collisions Week 11
     6.1  Momentum and Impulse Week 11
  6.2 Conservation of Momentum Week 11
   6.3 Collisions Week 11
  6.4 Glancing Collisions Week 12
     
    10 Thermal Physics Week 12
  10.1 Temperature and the Zeroth Law Week 13
  10.2 Thermometers and Temperature Scales Week 13
    10.3 Thermal Expansion of Solids and Liquids Week 13
     
    11 Energy in Thermal Processes Week 14
  11.1  Heat and Internal Energy Week 14
  11.2  Specific Heat Week 14
  11.3  Calorimetry Week 14
  11.4  Latent Heat and Phase Change Week 14
  11.5  Energy Transfer Week 14
                                                    Final Examination  
  The Final Exam Schedule is posted on the UMES website. Students must  
  consult this schedule and note the date for the class Final examination.  
  NOTICE: All periods are tentative and may be extended or reduced as needed  
  QUIZZES: There will be a total of 10 quizzes at short notice each time.  

 

Precautionary Disclaimer

“The instructor reserves the right to amend the course syllabus during the term.  If changes must be made, students will be notified.  Notice given during class is considered proper notice.  Office hours are subject to change depending on the instructor’s schedule.”

 

Instructions for student athletes:

“Any student athlete enrolled in class must make an appointment within the first week of the semester to meet with the instructor so that game schedules and travel schedules can be discussed and the instructor can clarify for the athlete procedures and policy on make-up work.  Student athletes are reminded that absences (whether excused or unexcused) do not relieve them of their responsibility to complete course assignments.  Instructors must know in advance that absences related to athletic events will occur so that early planning can take place.  (See attached policy on class attendance).”

 

Dress Code:

Students are expected to exercise good judgment concerning appropriate dress for the classroom.  Dressing appropriately in an environment that is conducive to learning requires that clothing not be distracting and is sufficient in quality and quantity to cover and protect the body (particularly in laboratories).  Individual freedom of dress is upheld at UMES, but students should be respectful of sensitivities of others and recognize that dressing professionally is a part of training the university desires to provide.  Attire that is more appropriate for the bedroom or night clubs should not be worn in the classrooms, as such may be distracting or offensive to others.   

 

General Reminders for Students:

 

Ø      Students whose names do not appear on the official class roster will not be allowed to attend the class after the add period ends.

Ø      A grade of “I” will not be given to students who have a failing grade going into the finals.