Physics, 9th Edition (EHEP001985) cover imagePhys 202     General Physics  II       Spring 2014

Text Book: Physiscs 9th  Edition (Wiley, 2012)

Phys 202 meets in Sims 209 Tuesday and Thursdays  12:30-1:45 PM

Professor: Dr. Mesgun Sebhatu, Sims 203.  Office hrs: 1:00-2:00 PM Wednesdays and 11-12 Thursdays . Available at other times by appointment

Brief description of the course and some advice: The PHYS 201-202 sequence covers the major branches of classical physics: PHYS 201 deals with mostly mechanics while PHYS 202 covers thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and optics. The course emphasizes understanding of fundamental physics concepts and principles as well as the development of conceptual and analytical problem solving skills by using physics concepts, principles and mathematics in the solution of various interesting and challenging real world problems. This course should also help you review and master your algebra, trigonometry, and enable you to appreciate your calculus by putting it to work in physics. In this course, rote memorization is discouraged. Formulas and constants will be provided even during a test. Use of calculators is encouraged. In fact, it would be difficult to survive the course without a good scientific calculator and the skill needed to use it to solve problems. PHYS 201-202 is primarily intended for students in the life and health sciences.  PHYS 201 is the first semester of a one-year general physics (PHYS 201-202) course that utilizes algebra and trigonometry. PHYS201 and 202 have the lab components PHYS 201L and 202L respectively. One must take PHYS 201 and 201L concurrently to get the 4-hour credit for PHYS 201.

PHYS201 and 202 have the lab components PHYS 201L and 202L respectively. One must take PHYS 201 and 201L concurrently to get the 4-hour credit for PHYS 201.

The major objectives and expected outcomes of PHYS 201-202 are:

·        Develop an understanding of basic concepts and principles in physics that are the foundation for all science and technology

·        Develop conceptual and analytical problem solving skills that are indispensable for any professional in the life and health sciences

·        Develop an understanding of the role physics plays in everyday life and in technology

·        Develop the ability to express scientific ideas clearly and concisely both quantitatively and in words 

In the labs (Phys 201L-202L) the major objective is for students to practice the scientific method hands on. 

Given a purpose, they test a hypothesis or a principle of physics. They are expected to learn how:

·        To perform a series of experiments and acquire sets of data using a computer and/or direct observation every week for three hours.

·        To statically analyze their data using a spreadsheet or other software for calculations and curve fitting.

·        To compare their experimental values with expected values and calculate % errors.

·        To arrive at a conclusion that relates to a hypothesis (or purpose) and writes a concise and clear conclusion.

·        To learn how collaborate. i.e., suggest ideas, agree and disagree with their peers and even their instructor.

You will use WileyPlus to practice as well to submit homework that will be graded.

(Please click on the link <WileyPlus>and register immediately)    

 Study Tips for Introductory Physics Students                                                                                                                                

Tentative Course Outline and Test Schedule

The course is divided into four convenient parts (I to IV). For each part, detailed study guides will be available on this website prior to each test. The study guides will be updated as needed from time to time. Please revisit the course website to have a current study guide and test date.  Changes in the tentative schedule will be announced in class or via e-mail  at least a day in advance  

Tentative Course Outline and Test Schedule

The course is divided into four convenient units. There will be a test on each unit. Study guides will be posted for each unit.

Unit I: Thermodynamics

Ch. 12 Temperature, and Heat

Ch. 13. The Transfer of Heat

Ch. 14. The Ideal Gas Law and Kinetic Theory

Ch.15 . Thermodynamics

Study Guide I

Test 1: Tuesday , Feb.25

 

 

Unit II: Electrostatics

h 22 & 23.Electric Charges and Electric Fields
Ch. 18 Electric Forces and Fields

 

Ch. 19 Electric Potential and       Electric Potential Energy

 

 Study Guide II

Test 2  Thursday , March   27

 

Unit III: Electric Circuits

 Ch. 20   Electric Circuits

This Chapter covers DC and AC circuits

 

  

  

Study Guide III

Test 3: Thursday,  April  17

 

Unit IV: Electromagnetism & Optics 

Ch. 21  Magnetic Forces and Fields

Ch. 22. Electromagnetic Induction.

Test 4:  will include the last three lab experiments on Optics and Hydrogen Spectra. 

 April 24 -29. The test maybe given on WileyPlus if we run out of time.

    .Study Guide IV

A Comprehensive Final Exam on units I. to IV. 

 For PHYS 202  001:  Tursday  May 1,  11:30AM -1:30pm             (in Sims 209)

 

Computation of Final Grades : The best three test grades will contribute 12 % each (total from tests = 36%). Homework via  Problems   ( 14%). The weekly lab grades will be averaged and contribute 25%. The comprehensive final will contribute 25%.

36 % (Best 3 Tests) +14%(Home Work) + 25% (Lab) + 25%(final) = 100 %

Even though class grade distribution may affect the assignment of the letter grades will be as follows:

Above 90% is an "A", 80% - 84% is a "B", 85%-89% is a "B+",70% - 74% is a "C",

75%-79% is a "C+" 60% - 64% is a "D", 65%-69% is a "D+" and below 60% is an "F".

 Makeup Tests: If a student misses one monthly test, he obtains a "0" for it and loses the opportunity to have his worst test score dropped. It will be dangerous to miss more than one test. There are no provisions for makeup tests under normal circumstances.

Class Attendance Policy: The attendance policy followed in this course is the same as that which appears in the current Winthrop University Catalog. Briefly, "If a student's absences in a course total 25% or more of the class meetings for the course, the student will receive a grade of N, F, or U, which ever is appropriate." Please read your catalog for details. The professor will determine when taking attendance is appropriate. If all the members of the class are present, there is no need to take attendance. Students who leave early or come excessively late for reasons that are not clear to the instructor may be marked absent. Class participation is a major requirement. The course will use a Personal Response System that records the participation of each student.

Student code of Conduct in this course:

In addition to the simple rules listed above you may to to the Winthrop Policy on Student Academic Misconduct. The policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online Student Handbook (http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf). 

General Education Requirements: Phys 202 and the co-requisite Phys202l fulfill four hours of general education requirement for a natural science course with a laboratory component. Listed below are the seven fundamental student learning outcomes for natural science courses as well as examples of how they will be fulfilled in this course.

Students should be:

1.  Conversant with a few fundamental concepts from among the three main areas of natural science, including earth, life, and physical sciences. (e.g., The applications of the laws of thermodynamics in transfer of energy in our environment, in machines and living organisms. The consequences of electromagnetic gadgets in our everyday life. )

2. Able to apply the scientific methodologies of inquiry. (e.g., Phys 202l laboratory exercises and experiments.)

3. Able to discuss the strengths and limitations of science. (e.g., discussion of how science is cumulative, ongoing and tentative—always subject to refinement.)

4. Able to demonstrate an understanding of the history of scientific discovery. (e.g. the development of the laws of thermodynamics. Maxwell’s laws of Electromagnetism, as well as optics. All these took over 300 years to be established. Heat was a caloric fluid and now it is thermal energy. Electricity and magnetism were believed to be distinct now they are unified and affect our everyday life )

5. Able to discuss the social and ethical contexts within which science operates. (Realize that science is a search for knowledge that may or may not be beneficial to society. It solves problems and sometimes it creates problems. Ultimately society decides how scientific knowledge should be used.)

6. Able to communicate about scientific subjects including (lab courses only) the defense of conclusions based on one’s own observations. (e.g., Phys 202l laboratory reports)

7. Able to discuss the application of scientific knowledge to the social sciences and to non-scientific disciplines. (The entire course does this by letting students develop critical thinking skills in solving problems both analytically and conceptually using basic principles.)

 

Some Helpful Physics Links

PheT =Physics Education Technology from U of Colorado

Multimedia Physics

hyperphysics

Favorite Physics Links

Study Tips for Introductory Physics Students