Course Teaching Assistant:
Ankita Sarkar
2323 New Physics Building
Office Hour: 2 p.m. Monday and 2 p.m. Thursday |
asarkar1989 at ufl.edu
Course Professor:
Prof. John Yelton
yelton at phys.ufl.edu
2031 New Physics Building
392-8475
Please note that the Professor looks over the smooth running of the course, but does not guarantee
to be involved on a day-to-day basis. He is happy to answer questions and to talk to students as his timetable permits.
If in doubt, send e-mail to both!
We want you to be able to get whatever help you need. You are encouraged to use
the on-line forums (discussions) to pose questions
which will then be answered in a timely manner.
You are also free to e-mail the TAs to book a time for face-to-face help, or help by phone or
internet.
Text:
Douglas Giancoli, "The Ideas of Physics", 3rd edition, published by Brooks/Cole.
The textbook is advised, but not obligatory. Note that this is an old book. There are many
copies available second hand in auction sites and online booksellers. We have deliberately
chosen a book that should not cost you a lot of money - $20 should buy a decent copy. There
is also a great online resource called "The Mechanical Universe" that has a link on the left-hand
side of the course page. Like the book, it covers more than the course, but gives another independent
explanation of the information.
Preparation:
High school math (basic algebra, geometry and trignometry) is expected.
Outline:
The course is divided into topics and sub-topics
thus:
Introduction to Physics
Course Introduction, Scientific Notation, Units of Measurement
Math Review
Vectors, Right Angle Geometry, Vector Components
Description of Motion and Falling Bodies
Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration, 2D motion
Newton's Laws
Newtons 1st Law, Newton's 2nd Law, Newton's 3rd Law, Weight as a Force, Application of Newtons Laws
Circular Motion and Newtonian Gravity
Circular Motion and Centripetal Acceleration, Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation, Applications of the Universal Law
Work and Energy
Work, Potential energy, Energy Conservation,Power
Momentum
Momentum, Collision Types, Impulse
Rotational Motion and Equilibrium
Radians, Angular Speed and Velocity, Angular Acceleration, Torque, Center of Mass, Stability, Statics, Rotational Inertia, Rotational
Kinematic Energy, Angular Momentum
Structure of Matter
The Atom, Phases of Matter, Scaling Laws
Fluids and Archimedes Principle
Pressure, Pascal's Principle, Archimedes Principle, Applications of Pressure, Bernoulli's Principle, Terminal Velocity
Temperature and Heat
Temperature, Temperature and Gases, Heat Transfer, Phase Change
Waves and Sound
Springs, Energy in Springs, Wave Mathematics, Sound Waves, Doppler Effect
Electrostatics
Electric Charge, Electric Force, Electric Potential
Electric Current
Electric Current, Electric Circuits, Alternating Power
Magnets and Magnetism
Magnets, Magnetic Fields, Applications of Magnets
Light Rays
Ray Optics, Refraction, Lenses, Interference, Polarization, Color Mixing
Grading policy.
Maximum total possible 100 points
The 100% consists of 4 components:
Online, quizzes after each section: 10 points
Exam 1: 30 points
Exam 2: 30 points
Exam 3(final): 30 points
Tests:
The tests are generally "fill-in-the-blank" rather than multiple choice. They are closed book and
closed note, but essential formulae are given. Answers are considered
"right" or "wrong".
The following is the guaranteed grading scale.
75% A
70% A-
65% B+
60% B
55% B-
50% C+
45% C
40% C-
35% D+
30% D
We note that the grading scale, at first sight, may seem "generous". This is because the scores on tests that
are "fill-in-the-blank" are typically lower than multiple-choice.
Philosophy of the course:
This course is designed for people who do not necessarily have a background in physics.
xIt should be taken by people who want a one semester overview of physics. It counts
as a Physical Science for "P" credits. It may be useful for students, especially those
who have not taken a physics course in high school, as extra preparation for Physics I
courses such as PHY 2053 and PHY 2048.
Students are expected to listen to and watch the online lectures (which are interspersed
with demonstrations), and work through the problems themselves before looking at the video
solutions. Sample tests are available for a last stage of preparation.
"Real" office hours, as well as forums, are available.
Online quizzes are given at the end of every module to help students stay on-track.
Calender of Events
Note that quizzes are due on specific days, but they are open for submissions weeks in advance. You are
encouraged to NOT wait till the last day! Note that you can enter the quiz, print the questions, then exit
and work out at your leisure how to do them before re-entering and submitting.
Monday, June 30th - First day of "class"
Thursday, July 3rd - Quiz 1 due: "Introduction to PHY2020"
Monday, July 7th - Quiz 2 due: "Math Review: Vectors and Geometry"
Monday, July 7th - Quiz 3 due: "Description of Motion and Falling Bodies"
Wednesday, July 9th - Quiz 4 due: "Newton's Laws"
Friday, July 10th - Quiz 5 due: "Circular Motion and Gravity"
Monday, July 14th - Quiz 6 due: "Work and Energy"
Wednesday, July 16th Exam#1 all sections up to the end of "Work and Energy" Starting times 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. 2 hours duration
Friday, July 18rd - Quiz 7 due: "Momentum"
Monday, July 21st - Quiz 8 due: "Rotational Motion and Equilibrium"
Wednesday, July 23rd - Quiz 9 due: "Structure of Matter"
Friday, July 25th - Quiz 10 due: on "Fluids and Archimedes Principle"
Monday July 28th Exam#2 sections from "Momentum" through "Fluids" Starting times 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. 2 hours duration
Wednesday, July 30th - Quiz 11 due: "Temperature and Heat"
Friday, August 1st - Quiz 12 due: "Waves and Sounds"
Friday, August 1st - Quiz 13 due: "Electrostatics"
Monday, August 4th - Quiz 14 due: "Electric Current"
Monday, August 4th - Quiz 15 due: "Magnets and Magnetism"
Wednesday, August 6th - Quiz 16 due: "Light Rays"
Thursday, August 7th Final Exam - mostly "Temperature and Heat" through "Light Rays", Starting times 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
2 hours duration
Hints on how to do well:
Listen to every lecture. The course is based on the lectures
(which are not full 50 minutes, but rather snippets of a 5-10 minutes at a time).
Remember, the syllabus is defined
by what is covered in lectures. You will not be tested on material not
presented on the web, whereas the book also covers other material which
you are NOT expected to know.
All material is accessed through E-learning, Canvas by clicking
here
and then choosing the option for "canvas". It will ask you for your gatorlink username and
password.
Alternatively, go straight away to the canvas interface which is
here.
Either way you should see this course on the drop-down menu labeled "Courses & Groups".
Click
here for a video explanation of the course, which serves as a sample video.
It is important that you have an internet connection good enough to watch and listen
to the above introduction comfortably, or you will find this course frustrating!
.
Do not leave it too late:. The material is quite concentrated. If you leave it all
to the last minute you will probably not understand it well and will not have a chance
to get it clarified.
Please make sure from the beginning that you are available for the exams. Make-ups
will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the instructor.
Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of
Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student
who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accomodation.
Information on current UF grading policies for assigning grade points can be
found in the undergraduate catalog
https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx
This is a University of Florida General Education course, for which credit may be obtained
in the "P" (Physical Sciences) category.
Here is the relevant "area objective":
The physical and biological sciences provide instruction in the basic concepts, theories and
terms of the scientific method. Courses focus on major scientific developments and their
impacts on society, science and the environment, and the relevant processes
that govern biological and/or physical systems. You will formulate empirically-testable
hypotheses derived from the study of physical processes and living things,
apply logical reasoning skills through scientific criticism and argument, and apply
techniques of discovery and critical thinking to evaluate the outcomes of experiments.
To achieve these goals, students will be expected to:
a) analyze particular physical situations, and thus identify the fundamental
principles pertinent to the situations
b) apply principles to particular situations
c) solve any equations arising from the application of identified principles of physics
d) communicate results unambiguously
Student Learning Outcomes
This course will also assess Student Learning Outcomes which can be defined as:
Student Learning Outcomes: Content and Skills
Content: Students demonstrate competence in the terminology, concepts, theories and
methodologies used within the discipline.
Communication: Students communicate knowledge, ideas and reasoning clearly effectively in
written and oral forms appropriate to the discipline.
Critical Thinking: Students analyze information carefully and logically from multiple
perspectives, using discipline-specific methods, and develop reasoned solutions to problems.
The Student Learning Outcomes will be assessed through 16 graded quizzes and 3 graded and
proctored examinations.
Quiz and exam questions will cover all subjects listed in the syllabus. Typical questions will
require students to complete successfully all four steps outlined in the area objectives above.
Obtaining the correct result to the question posed in the form requested in the question
will be taken as evidence that all four of the
steps have been correctly and successfully completed.
In some questions students will be expected to choose between a series of possible explanations
of physical outcomes; such explanations may be presented as graphs, numerically or in words.
Although knowledge of the fundamental principles of physics is necessary for success in the course,
the stress is on understanding how to apply the principles to a variety of situations; rote
memorization is minimal.
Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course based on 10 criteria. These evaluations are conducted online at https://evaluations.ufl.edu. Evaluations will be open towards the end of the semester and students will be informed at that time. Summary results of these assessments are available to students at https://evaluations.ufl.edu/results
Students requesting special accommodations must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of
Students Office will provide documentaion to the student who must then provide this documentation to the instructor when requesting accomodation.
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