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PHYSICS 0110
INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS
TERM 00-1 (Fall 2000)
Lecturer: Dr. Chandralekha Singh
Office: 218 A Allen Hall
Office hours: Mon, wed and Fri, 10.50 - 11.50 pm or by appointment (If you find me in my office, please feel free to come in anytime)
Phone: 624-9045
E-mail: BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME singh@bondi.phyast.pitt.edu
Lectures: MWF 12-12.50pm (104Thaw Hall)
Text: J. D. Cutnell and K. W. Johnson, Physics, 4th edition, Wiley, 1995
Teaching Assistant: Valan Wood (ph: 624-1826/office: 306 OEH)
Eugene Shishkin's E-Mail: valan+@phyast.pitt.edu
Goals and Objectives
Goals and Objectives
The major goal of this physics course is to enable you to develop logical reasoning skills to explain or predict diverse phenomena in everyday experience, and to become good problem solvers and independent learners. I encourage you to participate fully in class discussions. Physics knowledge is hierarchical: new concepts rely heavily on solid understanding of prior material. I strongly encourage you to ask questions to clarify your doubts. Remember that all questions are good questions, and there is a good chance that if you are having trouble understanding a concept, others are also struggling with the same concept. "Plug-and-chug" approaches to physics are neither useful for developing problem solving, reasoning and higher order thinking skills that I hope you will develop nor likely to produce satisfactory results on examinations. I also want you to remember that struggling is a very natural part of learning. Do not get discouraged.
The major goal of this physics course is to enable you to develop logical reasoning skills to explain or predict diverse phenomena in everyday experience, and to become good problem solvers and independent learners. I encourage you to participate fully in class discussions. Physics knowledge is hierarchical: new concepts rely heavily on solid understanding of prior material. I strongly encourage you to ask questions to clarify your doubts. Remember that all questions are good questions, and there is a good chance that if you are having trouble understanding a concept, others are also struggling with the same concept. "Plug-and-chug" approaches to physics are neither useful for developing problem solving, reasoning and higher order thinking skills that I hope you will develop nor likely to produce satisfactory results on examinations. I also want you to remember that struggling is a very natural part of learning. Do not get discouraged.
Course Description
Course Description
The lecture material will follow the text fairly closely, and many of the assignments will be drawn from the text. Hence, it is a good idea for you to purchase the text or have regular access to it. There will be a copy (or copies) on reserve in the Physics Library in OEH. In this course we will cover most of Chapters 1-15, which includes material on Kinematics, Dynamics, Fluids, Heat and Thermodynamics. It is highly recommended that you read the relevant chapter ahead of time. Occasionally there may be material covered in lecture which is not in the textbook; I will give you hand-outs for these materials.
The lecture material will follow the text fairly closely, and many of the assignments will be drawn from the text. Hence, it is a good idea for you to purchase the text or have regular access to it. There will be a copy (or copies) on reserve in the Physics Library in OEH. In this course we will cover most of Chapters 1-15, which includes material on Kinematics, Dynamics, Fluids, Heat and Thermodynamics. It is highly recommended that you read the relevant chapter ahead of time. Occasionally there may be material covered in lecture which is not in the textbook; I will give you hand-outs for these materials.
Prerequisites: Mathematics
Prerequisites: Mathematics
Mathematics is the language of physics. While this course will not require knowledge of calculus, it will require some skills in algebra, trigonometry and simple geometry. Since all of you don't have uniform backgrounds, and some might be out of practice, there will be a short review in the first lecture. A practice worksheet will be passed out. In addition, Appendices B through E of the text will help you brush up on some techniques and definitions. There will be a short math quiz in the second recitation class, which will contribute to your recitation grade.
Mathematics is the language of physics. While this course will not require knowledge of calculus, it will require some skills in algebra, trigonometry and simple geometry. Since all of you don't have uniform backgrounds, and some might be out of practice, there will be a short review in the first lecture. A practice worksheet will be passed out. In addition, Appendices B through E of the text will help you brush up on some techniques and definitions. There will be a short math quiz in the second recitation class, which will contribute to your recitation grade.
Class Participation
Class Participation
I encourage you to participate fully in class discussions. Physics is heirarchical and later materials build up from the previous ones. I strongly encourage you to ask questions to clarify your doubts. Remember that all questions are good questions, and there is a good chance that if you are having trouble understanding a concept, others are also struggling with the same concept.
I encourage you to participate fully in class discussions. Physics is heirarchical and later materials build up from the previous ones. I strongly encourage you to ask questions to clarify your doubts. Remember that all questions are good questions, and there is a good chance that if you are having trouble understanding a concept, others are also struggling with the same concept.
Peer Instruction
Peer Instruction
To ensure that you are understanding the underlying concepts covered during the lectures, I will interrupt the class several times during each lecture to pose a conceptual question. You will be asked first to think about the question by yourself, and later discuss it with your neighbor. Then, I will poll the class to see how many of you obtained the correct answer. Your serious participation in this activity will help you organize your knowledge coherently and will also help you monitor your understanding.
To ensure that you are understanding the underlying concepts covered during the lectures, I will interrupt the class several times during each lecture to pose a conceptual question. You will be asked first to think about the question by yourself, and later discuss it with your neighbor. Then, I will poll the class to see how many of you obtained the correct answer. Your serious participation in this activity will help you organize your knowledge coherently and will also help you monitor your understanding.
Homework
Homework
Confucius has summarized the learning process well: ``I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand". Homework is an integral part of learning the material of this course. You should take the regular reading assignments questions, exercises, and numerical problems assigned very seriously. The assigned questions/problems are due in class every monday. Every Monday, I will also assign a few "concept rich" problems pertaining to real life. They will be similar to the group problems. You should turn them in together with the other problems. Answers for some problems are provided in the text; nonetheless you should prepare a clear explanation in your own words as appropriate. Articulating clear responses is good practice for the examinations. Your homework will be collected every week and graded by your recitation instructor. Recitation performance will count approximately 20% (homework 10% and quizzes 10%) in determining the final grade. Due to the importance of the homework in helping you learn and apply the conceptual matter under discussion, and to prepare for examinations, you are highly encouraged to try as many of the assigned problems/questions as possible before they are discussed and solutions presented (solutions will be put in the physics library after the homework is due). The mid-term examinations will involve problem solving to demonstrate mastery of the material, and the best preparation will be a thorough understanding of the assigned problems and questions. I expect to schedule some review time during the term (certainly before each exam).
Confucius has summarized the learning process well: ``I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand". Homework is an integral part of learning the material of this course. You should take the regular reading assignments questions, exercises, and numerical problems assigned very seriously. The assigned questions/problems are due in class every monday. Every Monday, I will also assign a few "concept rich" problems pertaining to real life. They will be similar to the group problems. You should turn them in together with the other problems. Answers for some problems are provided in the text; nonetheless you should prepare a clear explanation in your own words as appropriate. Articulating clear responses is good practice for the examinations. Your homework will be collected every week and graded by your recitation instructor. Recitation performance will count approximately 20% (homework 10% and quizzes 10%) in determining the final grade. Due to the importance of the homework in helping you learn and apply the conceptual matter under discussion, and to prepare for examinations, you are highly encouraged to try as many of the assigned problems/questions as possible before they are discussed and solutions presented (solutions will be put in the physics library after the homework is due). The mid-term examinations will involve problem solving to demonstrate mastery of the material, and the best preparation will be a thorough understanding of the assigned problems and questions. I expect to schedule some review time during the term (certainly before each exam).
Recitation and Group Problem Solving
Recitation and Group Problem Solving
Every week in the recitation there will be a quiz which will be based upon the material covered in the homework. The quiz and the homework turned in that week will count equally towards your recitation grade. Almost every alternate week in the recitation, the quiz will involve group problem solving. The group problems will pertain to some real life situation related to the homework for that week. These concept rich problems will be more challenging and stimulating than the textbook problems and will help you appeciate how physics applies in everyday situations. They will also teach you good problem solving strategy which includes planning, implementation, and evaluation. We will announce the groups of three after the second week of classes for the first half of the semester and after the second midterm for the second half of the semester. We will discuss and give you handouts to help you learn how to work effectively in a group. To ensure that there is individual accountability in addition to positive interdependence, a particular member of the group will be randomly picked and asked to present the solution to the rest of the class. The group work will count as a quiz and will be graded exactly as an individual quiz (all the group members present will receive the same score for the group work).
Every week in the recitation there will be a quiz which will be based upon the material covered in the homework. The quiz and the homework turned in that week will count equally towards your recitation grade. Almost every alternate week in the recitation, the quiz will involve group problem solving. The group problems will pertain to some real life situation related to the homework for that week. These concept rich problems will be more challenging and stimulating than the textbook problems and will help you appeciate how physics applies in everyday situations. They will also teach you good problem solving strategy which includes planning, implementation, and evaluation. We will announce the groups of three after the second week of classes for the first half of the semester and after the second midterm for the second half of the semester. We will discuss and give you handouts to help you learn how to work effectively in a group. To ensure that there is individual accountability in addition to positive interdependence, a particular member of the group will be randomly picked and asked to present the solution to the rest of the class. The group work will count as a quiz and will be graded exactly as an individual quiz (all the group members present will receive the same score for the group work).
Physics Exploration Center
Physics Exploration Center
For a good understanding of physics concepts learned during the lectures, you will be assigned a few hands-on problems each week which involve the use of the Physics Exploration Center (PEC). PEC is a learning center (entrance through Physics Resource Room, OEH 223)where lecture demonstrations have been modified and turned into small experiments for you to explore. Concrete experiences provided by the hands-on activities are very important for conceptual understanding of physical phenomena. The exploration problems will count for one third of the homework grade for that week.
For a good understanding of physics concepts learned during the lectures, you will be assigned a few hands-on problems each week which involve the use of the Physics Exploration Center (PEC). PEC is a learning center (entrance through Physics Resource Room, OEH 223)where lecture demonstrations have been modified and turned into small experiments for you to explore. Concrete experiences provided by the hands-on activities are very important for conceptual understanding of physical phenomena. The exploration problems will count for one third of the homework grade for that week.
Study Resources
Study Resources
A Resource Room will be available throughout the semester for help in understanding physics concepts and completing homework assignments. The room is available from 9am to 6pm, Monday through Friday, in room 223 Old Engineering Hall (OEH). Help is also available through the Physics Help Desk, located on the first floor of the Cathedral of Learning. Hours are 11-5, Monday - Friday.
A Resource Room will be available throughout the semester for help in understanding physics concepts and completing homework assignments. The room is available from 9am to 6pm, Monday through Friday, in room 223 Old Engineering Hall (OEH). Help is also available through the Physics Help Desk, located on the first floor of the Cathedral of Learning. Hours are 11-5, Monday - Friday.
Grading Policy
Grading Policy
There will be three mid-term exams and a 1.50 hour cumulative final examination. The final examination is already scheduled by the University; it is in the Spring Term course schedule. The mid-term exams are expected to fall on:
Exam #1 M, Sept. 27
Exam #2 M, Nov. 1
Exam #3 M, Nov. 22
The lowest performance of the three in-term exams will be dropped. The course grade is expected to be determined by two mid-term
exam grades (25% each), the final exam (30%), and the recitation grade (20%). In practice, class participation and the recitation performance often determines which side of a borderline (e.g., A to B or C- to D) the final grade will fall on. There will be no make-up
midterm examinations.
Bonus Projects
Bonus Projects
To help you see the close connection between physics concepts and everyday experience, you can do bonus projects (upto 5 bonus points) for which you must go in the world and measure something using the concepts learned in this course. Later in the term, I will provide you some examples as a guide. You are strongly encouraged to discuss your projects with me and to choose projects that you will enjoy discussing with your friends/relatives.
To help you see the close connection between physics concepts and everyday experience, you can do bonus projects (upto 5 bonus points) for which you must go in the world and measure something using the concepts learned in this course. Later in the term, I will provide you some examples as a guide. You are strongly encouraged to discuss your projects with me and to choose projects that you will enjoy discussing with your friends/relatives.
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction
There is supplemental instruction available for this course. Jackie Kellie will be your supplemental instruction (SI) leader. It is recommended that you attend the SI sessions.
There is supplemental instruction available for this course. Jackie Kellie will be your supplemental instruction (SI) leader. It is recommended that you attend the SI sessions.
If you have any questions, please contact me at: singh@bondi.phyast.pitt.edu
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