Monkey and the zookeeper animation created by Tom Henderson (used by permission).

COURSE TILE: Principles of Physics

DESCRIPTION: Classical Mechanics, Waves, and Thermodynamics

TEXT: University Physics, Benson (Wiley) Chapters 1-21

LAB MANUAL: Physics 141, Fall 1996 edition

LECTURE ROOM: Physics 1410

LECTURE TIME: 11:00 - 11:50 MWF

INSTRUCTOR:

• Prof. T.J. Rosenberg
• Location: 4241 Computer and Space Sciences Building
• Tel.: 301-405-4895
• Fax: 301-314-9363
• e-mail: rosenberg@uarc.umd.edu

EXAMS: There will be four exams: three hourlies and a final exam.

HOMEWORK: Assignments will be handed out in lecture and posted on assigned bulletin board.

GRADING: Your course grade will be computed on the basis of the following percentages:

• Three Hourlies (best 2 out of 3) 25%
• Final Exam (Monday, December 14, 10:30-12:30 p.m.) 25%
• Laboratory Reports (best 10 of 11) 20%
• Homework (best 10 of 12) 20%
• Quizzes (best 10 of 12) 10%

Appointments with the professor to address any problems arising from the course can be made by phone. The TA's will set office hours for individual tutoring; you will be informed of these arrangements at the first discussion section. The Slawsky Clinic is available to assist students in this and other physics courses. The clinic is described on the attached sheet.

LABORATORY

Eleven experiments are scheduled. The experiments must be completed during the two-hour laboratory session. Therefore, to assure the efficient use of the limited time, it is essential to read the manual beforehand. Lab reports must be turned in to the teaching assistant at or before the next lab period. Labs that are legitimately missed may be made up during their respective make-up weeks. Only one experiment can be made up during each of the two make-up weeks without special permission. TA's and lab techs will be available to assist you at these times. To avoid getting an "F" in the course, you must turn in all lab reports. If you miss your scheduled lab time, arranging with a TA to attend an alternative section that week would avoid the need for a make-up lab.

The course will nominally cover Chapters 1 through 21 of Benson (some chapters may be omitted). It is important to review the material in the text before coming to lecture. You will also be responsible for material presented in lecture that is not in the book. Occasionally we will have a demonstration that may serve as the basis for an exam question. If you miss a lecture do your best to find out what was done in class.

DISCUSSION SECTIONS

Your weekly discussion section will meet just prior to your laboratory session.Each discussion will be presided over by a graduate teaching assistant (TA) who will be available to discuss conceptual problems you may be encountering and to answer questions relating to the solution of assigned homework and other problems. A quiz will be given during each discussion meeting. The quiz will consist of a problem similar to a homework problem or to a problem worked out in the text from the previous week's assignments.

HOMEWORK

The homework consists of problems from Benson. The homework must be clearly written on 8.5" x 11" sheets with name and section number in the upper right hand corner of each sheet. The assignment date and a page number over the total number of pages, written as a fraction, must be shown as well. All sheets should be stapled together. Each assignment will be graded for quantity and quality, in equal proportion. The quantity grade will be based on the number of problems attempted; the quality grade will be based on a detailed checking of one problem, unannounced in advance. Homework will be assigned on Monday and is due at the beginning of class on the second Friday following. Late homework will not be accepted, except for medical or other valid reasons. Assignments and solutions will be posted in one of the glass cases outside the lecture hall on Friday afternoon. Solutions will also be on reserve at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Library. The importance of completing all homework on time cannot be over emphasized. There is no better way to learn the material and prepare for examinations than by practicing with the types of questions and problems in the homework.

EXAMINATIONS

There will be three 50-minute in-class exams (hourlies), the best two of which will count towards your course grade. There will be no make-up exams, so don't miss more than one hourly. If an exam is unexpectedly canceled (due to inclement weather, etc.) it is automatically rescheduled for the next class period. The final exam will be held on Monday, December 14, 10:30-12:30 PM. Please let me know immediately if you absolutely cannot take the final exam on this date. Calculators are permitted in exams. In grading, we are looking closely at the reasoning that you use to solve the questions. It is worthwhile to carefully set up the problem on paper, even if you cannot solve it completely. Crib sheets are prohibited.

All examinations will be conducted according to the following guidelines:

All books, papers, clothing must be placed well back under the seats on the floor. A pencil, a pen, an eraser, and a calculator are the only items allowed on the desk top during the examination. Be sure your copy of the examination is complete, and enter your name and section number on each page. Be prepared to show your student picture ID if so requested. When time is called, stop working and pass your examination to the nearest aisle or to a TA. Know the Code of Student Conduct.

Tips For Doing Well In This Course

Read the book before and after the material is covered in lecture. Freely ask questions both in lecture and in recitation. Work all of the homework questions and problems. You are allowed and encouraged to discuss homework with classmates. However, in order to really learn, don't just copy solutions, rather, work through them in detail yourself. Afterwards, make use of the discussion period, solution sets, your TA's office hours, the Slawsky Clinic and me to make certain you understand all of the solutions. The quizzes and exams will sometimes involve homework problems. Seek help immediately if you do not understand the material or can't solve the problems. Don't wait until just before the exams. Remember that you are responsible for material discussed in class, even though it may not appear in the textbook.