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INTRODUCTION The Fundamental Questions Questions are crucial to learning. It’s through the process of inquiry that we construct our knowledge of the natural world. We will address the following three fundamental questions in our study of classical mechanics: 1. How do we describe motion? 2. What are the causes of changes in motion? 3. What properties of a system of particles do not change as the particles interact? The Goals The goals of this course are for you to become familiar with kinematics, dynamics, and conservation laws - the conceptual framework of classical mechanics - and to develop the robust problem-solving skills required by professional engineers and scientists. Our study of physics will emphasize thinking and reasoning. We will stress the use of qualitative reasoning, pictorial and graphical reasoning, and reasoning by analogy; we will also make use of mathematics to help us understand and describe patterns and relationships that exist in nature. The Instructional Philosophy The basic instructional philosophy of Physics 2100 can be summarized as follows: 1. Read about it (textbook) 2. Untangle it (interactive lectures) 3. Practice with it (student workbook and end-of-chapter homework) 4. Challenge yourself (web-based graded exercises/problems and exams) The order of the above items is very important. Your first exposure to any material will be when you read about it in the textbook (1) prior to lecture. The purpose of the textbook is to provide background for lectures, to be a resource for detailed explanations, to be a reference and a study guide, to offer practice problems, and to teach a robust problem-solving strategy. The interactive lectures (2) will not simply regurgitate what you have read; rather, the purpose of the lectures is to be inspiring and stimulating, to clarify the textbook, to explain confusing issues, to urge you to think critically, to give you lots to think about, and to spark further interest in the material. This is not a traditional approach. Your participation is needed both prior to and during each lecture! Lots of practice is required to become a proficient problem-solver. Roughly one day each week will be set aside to allow us to practice solving end-of-chapter problems (3). The problem-solving strategy used in class will be the same as that used in every example exercise in the textbook. To cap things off, you will demonstrate what you have learned by
completing web-based graded exercises and problems (4) and ultimately exams.
Web-based activities will include skill builders, self tutoring problems, and
end-of-chapter problems. BACKGROUND We expect students to have a good grasp of trigonometry and to be able to differentiate and integrate simple functions such as polynomials, sines and cosines. This requires knowledge of calculus at the level of MA1150, MA1151, MA1160, or MA1161. The study of physics can help to solidify your understanding of calculus. No prior study of physics is assumed, but students enter Physics 2100
with a broad array of backgrounds, many having studied physics in high
school. The pace of our course will be sufficiently deliberate so as to allow
the novice to learn the material. If this is your first course in physics,
you may find that initially you need to devote more time to your studies than
your more-experienced friends, but the workload tends to become more uniform
as the semester progresses. COURSE SUPPLIES · Textbook: Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Volume 1, Randall D. Knight (bundled with a Student Workbook, a Student Access Kit to MasteringPhysics, and a $20 mail-in rebate for the purchase of the PRS transmitter) · Personal Response System (interwrite PRS) transmitter (required) · scientific calculator ·
straight edge COURSE STRUCTURE Your grade for Physics 2100 will be based on the total number of points that you accumulate on the various graded activities. The total possible score (without bonuses) is 1024 points, broken down as follows:
Letter grades for the course will be determined by total points earned in the following manner:
It's possible to earn more than 200 points on the graded homework.
Thus, the total number of possible points will exceed 1024. Reading Quizzes Beginning the second week of class, each lecture session will begin with a single-question multiple-choice reading quiz. It is important that you arrive in class on time in order to take the reading quiz. The personal response system described below will be used to record your answer to the quiz question. The quiz is intended to encourage you to read the relevant assignment prior to attending lecture. The reading assignments are located on the Assignment Schedule. Twenty 3-point reading quizzes will be given for a total of 60 points; however, to accommodate unavoidable absences, you can earn a maximum of 51 points. Reading technical material is a skill that can be developed with practice. Read actively with questions in mind. A passive approach to reading physics wastes your time. Read with a pencil and paper beside your book and jot down questions and notes. Read to learn, not merely to cover material. Be sure to answer the Stop to Think questions that are sprinkled throughout each chapter - the answers with full explanations are located at the very end of each chapter. Test your comprehension of a reading assignment by completing the related exercises in the Student Workbook. After completing the workbook exercises, you can approach the end-of-chapter exercises and problems with confidence. Participation There are two components of your participation grade: participation during lecture and attendance during problem-solving sessions. During each interactive lecture, beginning January 19, you will respond to several questions using the Personal Response System (PRS). Questions will be cast in a multiple-choice format, and you will answer by pressing a number on your pocket-size wireless transmitter. Your response will be collected by an overhead receiver and routed to the presentation computer from which it will be sent to the central display. Your assigned cell in the class array will confirm receipt of your response by changing color. Your actual answer will be hidden from view. A random question will be selected for grading during each of the nineteen interactive lectures. You will receive 2 points for responding, independent of whether your answer is right or wrong. Attendance will be taken during each of the 14 problem-solving sessions with the PRS system. You will receive 2 points for each session that you attend. Two participation points are available for each of 34 class sessions for a total of 68 available points; however, to accommodate unavoidable absences, you can earn a maximum of 58 participation points. Here are some details about the PRS
system: Powering the PRS Transmitter: Each transmitter requires two 1.5 V AAA alkaline-type batteries. Batteries should last at least a semester under normal usage. They need replacement if the LED light is dim or if it does not light up when clicked on. Using the Transmitter: When the power button is depressed, the LED turns green and the unit is ready for use. Aim the narrow end of the transmitter at the nearest receiver to send an answer. A signal is sent when one of the numeric keys is pressed. This signal information includes the number pressed and your transmitter ID (located on the back of your transmitter). The red LED on the receiver will blink when it receives a signal. To prevent traffic jams at the receiver, the pushbuttons are deactivated for a brief duration following each send action, as indicated by the blinking LED. Attaching a Confidence Level to Your Answer: By first pressing H or L before pressing the numeric key, you can indicate your level of confidence in your answer: H for High confidence and L for Low confidence. The LED turns red after pressing H and yellow after pressing L. By default, pressing neither H nor L signals medium confidence and the LED remains green. The confidence level will revert to the default value of medium after a transmission or after 15 seconds without a transmission. Confirming Receipt of Your Response: Using either your name or your transmitter number, you can identify your cell in the electronic "seating chart" that will be displayed on the central screen. Your cell is initially colored blue. Receipt of your response is confirmed when the cell color changes to pink. Your may change your response one time, that is, you may send a total of two responses. It is your final response that is recorded. The cell color turns to red after receipt of the second response, indicating that additional responses will be rejected. If you respond with a choice that is out of range (for example, you press number 7 for a 5-part multiple-choice question), your cell will turn yellow. Your cell color gives no indication of either your answer or of the confidence level, if any, that you have attached to your answer. PRS REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS: In order to receive credit for both the reading quizzes and participation exercises, you must provide me with the six digit identification number located on the back of your transmitter. To do so, complete the PRS Registration form at WebCT (see ACCESSING WEBCT below). Entering your PRS transmitter number will be done using WebCT's quiz
tool. Once you log on to WebCT, enter the PH2100 course and click on the
"PRS Registration" icon and follow the instructions. If you find
that you entered the transmitter number incorrectly, or if later in the
course you need to change your transmitter number, please send email to your
instructor. Graded Homework (MasteringPhysics) MasteringPhysics is a state-of-the-art online tutorial and homework system. We will use three types of exercises within MasteringPhysics: skill builders, self-tutoring problems, and end-of-chapter problems. The skill builders and self-tutoring problems have extensive hints that you may request if you get stuck. The end-of-chapter problems are derived from problems in the textbook; however, your individual problems will be unique due to the use of random numbers for some of the numerical parameters. For all types of problems, once you submit your answers, your work will be graded instantly. You will be permitted five responses for each problem part, thereby allowing you to change your incorrect answers to improve your score. A list of weekly assignments for grading has been set up in the Mastering Physics web site, where you can see the list of assignments and their due dates. There will be a total of 13 graded homework assignments. The first graded homework is due on Monday, January 17 by 11:00 p.m. This initial assignment takes about 30 minutes to complete and consists of simple exercises to help you become familiar with the use of MasteringPhysics. All subsequent assignments must be completed by 8:00 a.m. every Thursday (beginning January 20). Please plan on submitting your answers well in advance of the due date to avoid problems with the web - no late homework will be accepted. There will be no MasteringPhysics assignment due during the week of Winter Carnival. The first assignment is worth 8 points, ten of the assignments are worth 16 points, and two assignments are worth 17 points. The point total for all assignments is 200. By not making use of hints, it's possible to score more than 100% on many of the problems. A description of the grading algorithm will be posted to the class email list after you have some experience using MasteringPhysics. MASTERINGPHYSICS REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS: To use MasteringPhysics, you must register at the MasteringPhysics website located at http://www.masteringphysics.com. Click on MasteringPhysics for Knight Physics for Scientists and Engineers 1e, and, as a first time user, click register on the page that follows. Here you’ll be prompted for the access code that came bundled with your textbook. As you continue with the registration process, you'll be prompted for your Student ID and the course ID: Student ID: your Social Security number (without the dashes) or your M-number Course ID: MTUPH2100SP05 Exams and Final Exam The three exams and final exam are scheduled as follows: Exam I Tuesday, February 1, 2005 Exam II Tuesday, March 1, 2005 Exam III Tuesday, April 5, 2005 Final Exam: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 The exams will be 90 minutes long, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The final exam will be a comprehensive two-hour examination. All exams will be closed book and closed notes. You may use the PH2100 formula sheet that will be included with the exam booklet. You will need a scientific calculator for the exams; however, equations may not be stored in calculators, nor may calculators be exchanged. The doors to the exam rooms will open at 5:55 p.m. and everyone should be seated in an assigned seat and ready to begin work by 6:00 p.m. Exam answer sheets will be collected 90 minutes later. The exams will consist of a total of 25 to 30 conceptual questions and traditional problems; the final exam will consist of a total of 45 conceptual questions and problems. Both the questions and problems will be multiple-choice. The questions and problems will be similar to the Stop to Think questions and worked examples found in the textbook, the assigned end-of-chapter exercises and problems, the graded homework problems (MasteringPhysics), and questions and problems posed and answered during lecture. There will be no scaling, redemption, or any other adjustment of exam scores. It is your responsibility to appear at the scheduled times to take the exams. Conflicts should be avoided by changing the conflicting event. No late exams will be given, and an unexcused absence from any exam will result in a grade of zero. Grade Tracking Your reading quiz and participation scores will be updated at the end of each week and the results will be available to you in the gradebook maintained in WebCT. This is where your exam scores and ultimately your course grade may be found as well. In addition to grades, I will use WebCT to list your PRS transmitter number so that you can verify that I have your correct number. It’s your responsibility to examine the gradebook periodically for accuracy and to report any discrepancies to me. ACCESSING WebCT: WebCT is located at https://courses.mtu.edu . Your User ID is
your campus email address without the @mtu.edu and, by default, your Password
is the same as your user ID. If you previously used WebCT and changed your
password, your updated password is needed. If you have forgotten your
password, take your ID to Customer Service in room B24 of the EERC and
request a new password. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Formula Sheet The formula sheet, found at http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~jaszczak/Ph2100/sp05/formulasheet.pdf, will be provided during all exams - no other formula sheet or table is allowed. Keep the formula sheet by your side as you solve problems. Excused Absences Events beyond your control may cause you to miss a homework due date or an exam. Whenever possible, contact your instructor prior to your absence to arrange to make-up missed work. If you are unable to notify me concerning an absence or if you need to notify several instructors on short notice, contact the Office of Student Affairs for assistance. The Dean of Students will then inform all your instructors that you face a situation that requires that you miss class, and you are granted an excused absence. It's then your responsibility to contact each of your instructors after you recover from your illness or return to campus. An absence is excused under the following conditions: - If you participate in off-campus University-sponsored activities, such as field trips, fine arts performances, intercollegiate athletics, job fairs, etc. you are granted an excused absence if your activity conflicts with an exam. Furthermore, we consider plant trips, job interviews requiring travel, and professional society meetings as excusable. It is imperative that for an absence of this type, for which a conflict with an exam is known well ahead of time, that you arrange with your instructor to take the exam earlier than its normally scheduled time. - If you encounter circumstances beyond your control such as illness,
the funeral of any relative or close friend, or other personal emergency, you
are granted an excused absence. You must provide verification of the special
circumstances that led to your absence to the Dean of Students. In the event
of a missed exam due to an excused absence, you are not required to make-up
the exam. Instead, your course grade will be determined from the remaining
six components of the course. If the final exam is missed as a result of an
excused absence, you will be awarded the letter grade of I (incomplete) and
must take the PH2100 final exam at the end of any one of the next three
semesters that you're in residence. Two or more exams missed as a result of
excused absences will be handled on an individual basis. If a homework due date is missed as a result of an excused absence, the due date will be extended after you notify your instructor. Getting
Help: Office
Hours In order to encourage you to ask questions, we've set aside office hours as shown in the instructor information table above. If these times are inconvenient, please let us know so that we might find a mutually agreeable meeting time. Supplemental Instruction Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a learning tool that utilizes peer-assisted study sessions. SI sessions are regularly-scheduled, informal review sessions in which you can compare notes with other students, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, practice problem-solving skills, and predict test items. You can learn how to integrate course content and study skills while working together. Each SI session is conducted by a leader who attends all classes, takes notes, reads all assigned materials, and solves all homework problems. The SI leader is the "model student," a facilitator who will help you to integrate course content and learning/study strategies. We are fortunate to have Bijunath Patla (Biju) as our SI leader this semester. Biju has extensive experience teaching introductory physics and has proven to be a very effective instructor. The SI sessions are scheduled as follows: Thursday 7:00 –
8:00 p.m. in 139 Fisher. Extra Supplemental Instruction sessions will be scheduled for the evening before exams I-III. These sessions will also be in Fisher 139 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. If you wish to contact Biju, his office is located in 025 Fisher and his email address is brpatla@mtu.edu . These sessions are entirely optional. You may attend as many or as few of these sessions as you like. You are especially encouraged to attend the SI sessions if you have struggled with calculus. or if you have difficulties with the exercises in the Student Workbook. The first SI session will be held on Thursday, January 20 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. in 139 Fisher. The If approaching me for help seems intimidating and supplemental
instruction doesn’t mesh with your schedule, you may wish to visit the Sunday 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Monday 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Tuesday 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Wednesday 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Thursday 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. The coaches may provide help with the graded homework assignments, but don't expect them to work the problems for you. The coaches will provide hints in the form of questions that should enable you to work the problems yourself. MasteringPhysics Additional practice is available using MasteringPhysics. The
additional practice is so labeled by chapter and is located in the assignment
list below the 13 graded assignments. Most the additional practice
consists of skill builders and
self-tutoring problems with their built-in hints. Drop Dates Drop date with no grade: January 28, 2005 Drop date with W grade: March 3, 2005 Late drop: If after the drop date
circumstances beyond your control prevent you from completing the course, you
may be a candidate for a late drop. The process begins with the Dean
of Students, to whom you confide the details of your situation. Academic Dishonesty New technologies engender new forms of cheating. Some known
types of cheating and the action that will result when cheating is identified
are described below. -Giving someone else your PRS transmitter is just like letting someone
else take a quiz or exam for you. Last semester, one of the things
students liked most about the PRS system was the immediate feedback it
provided about their conceptual understanding of important topics. You lose
this learning opportunity if you give your transmitter to someone else.
-Copying someone else's answers in MasteringPhysics is cheating.
MasteringPhysics includes tools to help instructors identify cheating. In
addition, the support staff at MasteringPhysics, if requested, will assist
instructors to identify cheating. MasteringPhysics will prohibit
students identified as cheaters from using their website. If cheating is suspected, the matter will be referred to the Office of
Student Affairs. The penalty for cheating is not less than an academic
integrity warning and not more than expulsion. MTU MTU complies with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding
discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( |
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