Physics
102
General Physics II
Spring Semester
Textbooks and supplies:
Andrew Elby, Portable TA Problem Solving Guide, Vol. 2 (Prentice-Hall), on reserve in CNS room C005
A pocket calculator will be useful for problem sets and tests and in the laboratory. (It might not hurt in class either.)
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Gabe
Spalding C006B CNS
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Course Overview:
The spring semester, 102, covers the science and technology of Thomas Edison, James Clerk Maxwell, Max Planck, and Marie Curie (as well as some more from Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, and TIME magazine's "Person of the Century," Albert Einstein). First we will define and discuss electricity and magnetism (E&M) and explore the rather interesting connections between the two. Next we will branch off from E&M and discuss the wave nature of light and geometrical optics (light is actually related to E&M, as well see in early March). At the end of the semester, we will discuss basic quantum theory and radioactivity, touching on some of the more beautiful and enigmatic (as well as useful, in the case of radioactivity) topics in modern science.
Physics 101 and 102 offer language and some exercises that, at base level, are generic to the scientific enterprise. It is our intent to begin each topic with simple, illustrative problems, but we then go on to add what we consider to be an essential step: we move on to problems which the student must break down into simpler parts. In Phys 101/102 these multi-part problems contain no more than three parts; still, this basic exercise (breaking a problem down into simpler parts) is important enough to "doing science" that we think all science students should recognize its value. This act of breaking a problem down into simpler parts is common to each discipline present in this building. Our courses simply act as an additional venue -- another way we, as a faculty, seek to help students with this sort of exercise. In this way, these courses really are a simple extension of the other science programs, complementing -- in positive ways -- the variety of experiences we offer to new scientists.
In Physics 102 more of the assignments will come from the "General Problems" section ending each chapter; identifying the sort of approach required is an essential part of these homework problems. In our view, the exams involve the same sort of exercises as these homework sets.
Through this course, you will develop strong problem solving skills, necessary to apply common scientific concepts in a wide variety of situations. You will begin to understand technical concepts, some intuitive and some counter-intuitive, on a deep level. You will hone all of these skills through experiences in the classroom and in the laboratory, where you will have first-hand experience with some of the phenomena underlying natural processes. You will gain further experience in reasoning deductively and mathematically, using algebra, trigonometry, and geometry in order to understand scientific descriptions of reality.
Calculus is NOT a requirement (although calculus-based approaches may sometimes be presented alongside non-calculus methods, only non-calculus problem-solving techniques appear on homework or exams). Students contemplating a major in physics should take (the calculus-based) Physics 106 (which meets at the same time as this class in C101), and students interested in our 3:2 pre-engineering program are generally required to take calculus-based physics. Those intending to become Chemists are also advised to take Physics 106, while pre-medical students (even if they are Chemistry majors) typically take Physics 102.
Course Policies
Attendance:
It is important that you attend all classes and lab meetings in order to benefit from this course and fulfill your responsibilities as a participant.
The laboratory will not meet every week (see the attached schedule). There will be a 20% penalty for any unexcused absence from the regularly scheduled laboratory period.
Assignments and Tests:
Written work will be due at the start of class on every Wednesday. This syllabus also contains reading assignments that are necessary to prepare you for class discussion.
There will be a final, comprehensive exam at 10:15 AM on Monday, 5/1.
Lab reports will be due one week after your lab section, as described in the lab manual.
Grading procedures:
Written exercises: the following simple scheme emphasizing understanding over details will be applied to each problem or substantial part thereof: 4 points will be awarded for a correct numerical answer, 3 points for correct application of concepts, 2 points for a significant attempt with conceptual errors, and 1 point for any attempt.
Exams: understanding concepts is key. On the problem-solving exams, partial credit will be awarded for sensible efforts even without completely correct answers. No partial credit will be given for the multiple-choice questions.
Laboratory: to be discussed separately at first lab session.
Final course grades will be computed using the following weighting
Lateness policies:
Labs must be completed and turned in on the due dates unless cleared in advance by the lab instructor. Individual experiments will be set up until 3:00 PM Friday each week.
Homework: You are permitted a single one week extension without any penalty during the semester when you are stressed out with work; however, in order to receive the extension you must, at the time the homework is due, turn in a dated sheet of paper indicating that you are giving yourself a "free extension." Save it for when you really need it.
Otherwise, work turned in by the start of class following the due date will be assessed a modest 15% penalty. Work handed in anytime after that, but before the end of the semester deadline, will not be graded but will be given about 1/3 credit for a reasonable effort. Please do not split up the assignments.
Exams must be taken at the stated times, except by prior agreement.
Advice
The following suggestions are based on the experience of previous students:
Stay up to date on the reading; preferably read the assigned material twice; for example, once before the relevant lecture, and once after.
Read with pen in hand to work through your reading. Ask yourself, "What is the main point of each section?" - and answer the question!
When you take notes in class, don't just write down equations! Qualitative information is often essential.
Review your class notes between lectures, and come prepared to ask questions. Annotate your class notes as you read them.
Use the posted solutions to problems and exams.
If you are interested in more resources, look at the materials on reserve for the course in the library.
Feel free to ask for advice from any students who have taken Phys 102 or 106 before.
Don't prejudge your ability to master the material. Generations of students have done it before you.
There is no magic method of presenting the material that we can use to make it easy.
There are many resources available to assist and guide you. These include two weekly work sessions with the course instructors and a "Discussion Workroom" or help session run by students on Monday through Thursday evenings. In addition to the posted office hours, you may drop in on your instructor or arrange a meeting time at any class or by e-mail.
Please do not hesitate to contact your instructor and ask for help. No question or topic is too small! If you are having a lot of trouble with the homework, please be sure to meet with your instructor as soon as possible. Even if you are not having difficulty with the homework, it may be useful to have others monitor your approach, and to offer generalized feedback.
Feedback: If you have concerns about the course or ideas about how to make it better, please let us know immediately, either in person or by e-mail. We are very happy to implement suggestions, and we have had great success with student suggestions in the past.
Honor code matters:
We value Illinois Wesleyan's honor code for the integrity it fosters and the pedagogical flexibility it affords. The important guiding principle of academic honesty is that you must never represent the work of others as your own. The following guidelines should govern your behavior in the course; please request clarification if you find yourself in any doubtful situations.
You may seek assistance from the instructors, at the Physics clinic or from your fellow students with the weekly assigned exercises and with preparing for class discussions. You may also work together with other members of the class on these assignments, and this is often quite beneficial. However, for your own good, avoid situations in which you contribute either too much or too little to such collaborations. Just copying someone else's work is clearly a representation of another's work as your own and is a violation of the community. [This includes copying the homework solutions when preparing your extension homework.] Your textbook gives the answers for most of the odd-numbered exercises. These are given so that you will know if you have solved problems correctly. It is not sound learning procedure to try to work backwards from given answers, but doing so is not a violation of the honor code.
Solutions to the written exercises will be placed on reserve in the Laboratory. (If you are doing a late set for 1/3 credit, you may consult the solutions, but you may not copy them.)
Exams must be entirely your own work. Detailed instructions will be given on the exams themselves and discussed in advance. You will be allowed to use a page of notes prepared in advance and a calculator, but no other materials will be permitted. No collaboration of any sort is allowed once an exam begins.
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Homework Due Date |
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Ch 16: 11, 14, 37, 44, 45, |
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None |
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Ch 17: 3, 8, 18, 47, 53, 55, |
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Ch 16 HW Wed., 1/19 |
None |
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Ch 18: 3, 10, 15, 19, 57, 63, |
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Ch 17 HW Wed., 1/26 |
Meters, Oscilloscopes, and Other Tools |
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Ch 19: 4, 30, 40, 45, 71, |
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Ch 18 HW due Wed., 2/2 |
Electrostatic Deflection |
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Ch 20a: 7, 8, 9, 17 |
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No HW due |
Ohm's law |
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Ch 20b: 20, |
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Ch 19-20a due Wed., 2/16 |
RC Circuits |
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Ch 21b: 21, 37, 43, |
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Ch 20b HW due Wed., 2/23 |
The Mass of the Electron |
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Ch 22: 7, 13, 17, 20, 25, |
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Ch 21a&b HW due Wed., 3/1 |
Rectification & Filtering Circuits |
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Ch 23: 4, 5, 12, 14, 26, |
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No HW due |
The Current Balance |
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none |
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No! No matter how much you beg, we won't let you do another lab this week. |
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Ch 24a: Q: 9, 12, 15 P: 15, 21, 31, 65, 68, 70, 74, 82 |
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Ch 22-23 HW due Wed., 3/22 |
Reflection & Refraction |
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Ch 24b: Q: 5, 16, 19 P: 8, 22, 32, 38 |
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Ch 24a HW due Wed., 3/29 |
Geometric Optics |
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Ch 27: Q: 8, 22 P: 19, 70, 80, 82 Ch 28: Q: 9, 16 P: 1, 10, 13, 30, 50 |
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Ch 24b HW due Wed., 4/5 |
Single-Slit & Double-Slit Diffraction |
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Q: 5, 10, 13, 17 P: 59, 62, 64, 67, 68, 73 |
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Ch 27-28 HW due Wed., 4/12 |
The Spectrum of Atomic Hydrogen |
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Review |
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Ch 30 HW due Wed., 4/19 |
b-Particle Absorption |
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none |
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FINAL, COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION: Monday, May 1, 10:15 AM