Block 3, 2007-2008

Welcome to the second block of a two-block sequence in classical physics.  We hope, with this sequence, to give you an idea of how a physicist approaches the world, and of the power of the analytical techniques of physics.  We assume that you have had high school algebra or the equivalent.

The active verb in the educational process is not "teach" but "learn."  We are here to help you, and will do so in any way we can--through class discussion and labs, through informal discussions outside of class, and (even) through problem sets and tests.  But we can do nothing if you sit passively in class and expect to be "taught" – you must do the learning yourself.  You must read the assignments carefully, with pencil in hand.  Pay special attention to the conceptual examples, which can help you test your understanding as you read.  You must work through and understand the problems yourself.  You must listen carefully in class, think about the topics under discussion, and contribute your own comments and questions.  We don't expect this to be an easy course, but if you work hard you will be rewarded with a better understanding of the natural world, and a deeper appreciation for one of our more successful efforts to make sense of that world.

The subject of this block will be electricity and magnetism, one of the major theories of classical physics.  This material is less familiar than the kinematics and dynamics of the first block, but is relevant to everything to the transmission of nerve impulses to the great machines that powered the industrial revolution to the workings of your IPOD. 

Instructors

Text

The required textbook for the course is  Physics: Principles with Applications (6th Edition) by Douglas C. Giancoli.

Online Course Information

All documents related to the course are on the course web page at http://faculty1.coloradocollege.edu/~kmlang/07-08/PC142/Index.html.   Check this page for assignments, the lab schedule, handouts, and solutions.

Class Schedule

We’ll spend every morning from 9 am to about noon in class.  This time will be spent in a mixture of activities, including lecture/demonstrations, discussion of problems, and group problem solving.  We’ll have a review Monday morning before the quiz.  To a large extent, what we do in class will be determined by what you are wondering about.  So come prepared with questions about the previous night’s assignment.

Homework

You’ll be assigned reading and problems to work every night. These are due before the beginning of class on the day they are listed in the assignment sheet. Working problems is a major part of the course; we believe that it is the second best way to understand physical concepts (more about the best in a minute). Working problems gives you practice in applying the principles of physics, which helps you learn them in a way that memorization will not. It will teach you how to approach problems, and show you where your understanding is incomplete. One problem will be graded each day, to reward you for keeping up. You’ll get at least half credit just for trying, so be sure to write something on each problem.

Labs

Lab will meet according to the course schedule.  You will be required to complete two labs per week during these times.  You are required to complete six labs in order to pass the course.

A science lab can have two major purposes: to help you learn and practice standard techniques in the discipline, or to help you understand the concepts you are studying in the course.  In the first case, you are guided carefully through an exercise using a particular machine or standard method.  In the second case you will receive little guidance, since you will need to explore the problem on your own and explain your experience in a way that is useful to you. The laboratory in Physics 141 is of the second type. You will receive no elaborate instructions, just some apparatus and a card with some suggestions. It is up to you to figure out something interesting to do with the equipment and try it out. Completing an experiment includes: figuring out what to do, performing the experiment, collecting systematic information, interpreting your results in terms of physical principles (this might include pictures, graphs, equations, or anything else you find helpful), understanding what you have done, analyzing and explaining any errors, and reporting to the instructor.

There are no written lab reports. When you feel ready to discuss your experiment, go to the instructor for an oral checkout. We'll talk over the experiment and, if I am satisfied with the depth of your understanding, you will be given a quiz. Satisfactory completion of the quiz will complete the lab. If, as often happens, you need some additional work, you may discuss the quiz with the instructor and then retake the quiz until you pass.

Science is a social activity, and you can learn much from other people's thoughts, and from explaining your own thoughts to someone else. For that reason, you should work in pairs (no more if possible), and feel free to discuss your experiment with others in the class, the instructor or the paraprof. Choose a lab partner whose schedule and working style are compatible with yours. Both lab partners should participate equally in all phases of the lab, and should understand what you have done.

Exams and Quizzes

There will be tests in the afternoon (approximately 1-4 p.m.) on Monday, November 5 and Monday November 12, and a final exam (approximately 8 am-12 noon) on Wednesday, November 21. Each test will cover material from that week, while the final is comprehensive. We will give you credit for learning on the tests; your final exam grade will replace any test grade that is lower. All tests will be closed book, taken in the classroom or lab. Calculators will be permitted, and one sheet of the test will contain many equations, constants, conversion factors, and other (perhaps) useful information. There will be no makeup tests. If you miss a test, your final grade will replace it. Except under dire circumstances, IF YOU MISS THE FINAL YOU WILL FAIL THE COURSE.

Course Grade

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

Your grade on the final will replace any test grade that is lower, as explained above.

Honor System

Science is a social enterprise, and we encourage you to work with your peers on homework, labs, studying for quizzes, etc. You should, however, be certain that you have your own understanding of every problem assignment. Lab checkouts may be done with your partner, but the lab instructor will make sure both partners understand the lab. Don’t let your lab partner take over--be sure you understand what you are both doing. Of course, your work on quizzes and exams should be your own: we’ll ask you to sign the honor pledge to that effect.

Extra Help

A junior or senior physics major is available to answer questions or give help solving the assigned problems Sunday through Thursday evening in the physics lounge Barnes 213.  There is no charge for this service so do not hesitate to use it.  You may also come by your instructor's office to ask questions whenever the door is open.   The quantitative learning center located in the Learning Center in the library also provides tutoring services and can help with a refresher on math skills that may have become a little rusty.  The director of the center is Mark Morgenstern (mmorgenstern@coloradocollege.edu, 227-8289).  The quantitative reasoning center drop in hours for Fall 2007 are Monday - Thursday 2:30 - 4:30, Friday 2-4, Sunday -Thursday 7 -9 PM.