Conceptual Physics
Spring semester 2001
tue/thu 10:30am - 11:45am
Instructor: Dr. Bernhard Laurich
office: PB1-9
phone: 974-7452
e-mail: [email protected]
consultation hours: mo/we 11:00 am - 11:50 am
thu 1:00 pm - 2:45 pm
tu 12 noon- 2:45 pm (Learning Center)
Required Material: Conceptual Physics, 8th ed
Paul G. Hewitt
Harper Collins College Publishers
workbook for notes
ringbinder/paper for homework and tests
pocket calculator (optional)
Grading: The performance will be graded by
45% Final Examination
20% Final Assignment
consisting of term paper and oral presentation
15% Quizzes, unanounced
10% Homework
10% Assignments
Grades: A 90 %
B 80 %
C 70 %
D 60 %
There will be: unannounced quizzes,
homework,
lecture w. questions and answer sessions
groupwork
written and oral assignments
Take advantage of everything which is offered and chose your most effective learning style. Do not hesitate to come by during my office hours!
This course will in general follow the book by Paul G. Hewitt. This book has been written for non-science majors. It is comprehensive in the selection of topics. However, it lacks some depth in some areas, which has to be added in the lecture. Therefore, and in order to provide guidance through the wealth of topics covered in the book, taking personal notes is very important.
In order to facilitate learning in an organized and directed way, creating a portfolio, containing classroom notes, homework quizzes, assignments, evaluations and handouts is very helpful.
As this is a college level course, a high level of personal responsibility is expected to make this course a success for each individual. This includes regular attendance and active participation in class as well as keeping up with the material covered, using the book or other sources, e.g. classmates, and the consultation hours which are provided.
The course will be divided in 4 blocks:
Introduction to Physics (2) (class hours)
Block 1: Newtonian Mechanics
Motion (2)
Force and Newton's Laws (2)
Energy (2)
Rotation (1)
Gravity (2)
Harmonic Oscillations (1)
Waves (2)
Assignment 1 (1)
(chapters 1, 2-7, 8-9, 18-20)
(4 1/2 weeks)
Block 2: Matter and Thermodynamics
States of Matter (.5)
Atoms (1)
Solids (.5
Liquids (1)
Gases (1)
Temperature and Heat (1)
Specific Heat and Latent Heat (1)
Heat Transport (1)
Laws of Thermodynamics (2)
Assignment 2 (1)
(chapters 14-17, 10-13)
(3 weeks)
Block 3: Electromagnetism and Light
Electrostatics (2)
Electric Current (1)
Magnetism (1)
Electromagnetism (1)
Electromagnetic Waves (1)
Light (3)
Reflection and Refraction (2)
(chapters 21-24, 25-28)
(3 weeks)
Block 4: Modern Physics
(selections of topics) (6)
Quantum Mechanics
Special Relativity
(selection of chapt. 29-31, 32, 34)
(2 weeks)
Final Assignment (2)
Review (2)
(1.5 weeks)
Final
