PHY184:
Physics for Scientists and Engineers 2
Spring 2012
Department of Physics and Astronomy
College of Natural Science
Michigan State University
COURSE
SYLLABUS
Course Website
MSUÕs LON-CAPA (http://loncapa.msu.edu/)
will be used for homework assignments, syllabus, lecture notes, course
communication, etc.
In addition we will maintain a course website http://www.nscl.msu.edu/~schatz/phy184_12.html
Instructor Information
Hendrik Schatz - Section 001 (Office: W211, Cyclotron)
Phone: 517-908-7397
Email:schatz@nscl.msu.edu
Artemis Spyrou
- Section 002 (Office: W205, Cyclotron)
Phone: 517-908-7141
Email: spyrou@nscl.msu.edu
Course Description
Electricity and magnetism are everywhere.
They are at the center of modern technology (e.g., computers, fiber optic
communication, magnetic resonance imaging), chemistry (molecules form and
undergo chemical reactions on account of electronic interactions), and
physiology (our nervous system operates via generation and transmission of
electrical impulses, and as with liquids and solids, we are held together by
electronic forces). Light itself is just electromagnetic waves. Physics 184
covers the fundamentals of electricity and magnetism. This includes the
interactions between electric charges and between magnetic objects; the
representation of those interactions by electric and magnetic fields;
alternating- and direct-current circuits; time varying fields (electromagnetic
waves); geometrical and physical optics, including interference and
diffraction; and special relativity. This is an introductory course, so the
focus will be on developing a conceptual understanding of physical phenomena
and translating that conceptual understanding into a mathematical language that
allows us to address practical problems such as how electrical circuits work.
While a familiarity with the basic elements of vector calculus, i.e., basic
integrals and derivatives, is a prerequisite, the emphasis is not on rigorous
mathematical proofs or advanced mathematical methods. Similarly, the emphasis
is not on hunting for formulae into which to plug numbers but on understanding
the concepts embodied by formulae.
Prerequisites
1. Introductory Mechanics PHY 183, PHY 183B, PHY 193H, PHY
233B, or LB 271
2. MTH 133, MTH 153H,
or LB 119
You must be familiar with NewtonÕs Laws, linear and angular
motion, conservation laws (energy, momentum, and angular momentum), and the
distinction between kinetic and potential energy. Mathematically, you should be
comfortable with Euclidian geometry, vector addition and multiplication,
differentiation, integration, and Taylor series expansions.
Class Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
BPS 1410
Section 1: 8:00 - 8:50 am
Section 2: 9:10 - 10:00 am
Office Hours
Prof. Schatz: by appointment (e-mail any time with
a few proposed time slots) or after each lecture (just get in touch at the end
of the lecture).
Prof. Spyrou: by
appointment (e-mail any time with a few proposed time slots) or after each
lecture (just get in touch at the end of the lecture).
Physics Learning Center in BPS
1248
The Strosacker
Physics Learning Center (PLC) is a place where students can work together on
resolving difficulties in understanding the course material. In addition,
teaching assistants are present during certain hours that can help student
groups who are stuck. The PLC is open when the BPS building is open and you are
welcome to use it. In addition there are certain hours where PHY184 TAs will be
present – these will be announced in class during the first week.
Textbook and Lecture Slides
University
Physics, 1st
Edition, 2011, by Wolfgang Bauer
and Gary Westfall (McGraw-Hill).
This textbook has been chosen because it presents a large number of
example problems worked out in step-by-step detail and illustrates many
conceptual details behind everyday technology. This textbook is required for
the course. We will cover Chapters 21-35, which are contained in the complete
version of the textbook and in Volume 2 of the two-volume version of the
textbook. We will not refer to Chapters, page numbers, or problem numbers from
previous versions of the textbook; earlier versions will put you at a
disadvantage.
Copies
of many of the PowerPoint slides used in our presentation will be posted on
LON-CAPA before the relevant chapter is covered. In this way it is hoped that
you can focus on discussions rather than transcribing lectures without
understanding.
Homework Information
During
the semester, 14 weekly homework assignments will be posted on LON-CAPA and
must be submitted on their associated due date. Homework assignments will be
due on Sunday night at 11:59,
the system will not accept late submissions.
Note that computer or
network problems on Sunday and other last minute problems will not constitute a
valid excuse. You are responsible for making sure you make the deadline by
taking such possibilities into account and entering answers well ahead of the
deadline.
Group
work is encouraged to discuss physics problems and how to solve them but each student must do her/his own
calculation, including the derivation of problem specific equations.
Copying the final solution, or the final problem specific equation used to
calculate the solution, from a fellow student, website, or discussion board is
considered academic dishonesty.
See
below for policy on missed assignments.
Exam Information
In order to provide
you and us with frequent feedback on your understanding of the material, to further
encourage you to keep up in the course, and to diminish the impact of one bad
day on your final grade, there will be five Monday exams during the course of
the semester and a final exam. Your lowest score from the first five exams will
be dropped. The final exam is cumulative.
All exams are Òopen
textbook.Ó You may only use your textbook. You may not use other notes. You may
use a calculator.
Exams will be
multiple-choice and will include both problems of an exclusively conceptual
nature (i.e., no explicit math beyond perhaps simple arithmetic) and problems
requiring math through calculus. Clicker questions are often good examples of
the types of conceptual questions we might ask.
The
final exam will be held on Wednesday, May 2
– 8:00-10:00 p.m.
You must take the exam in your section. See below
for policy on missed assignments.
Clicker Quiz Information
In class clicker quizzes/questions will be used as
an integral element of the course to enhance learning, to encourage student
discussions, and to provide instant feedback on learning progress. You must
therefore have a registered I-Clicker. Your clicker must be registered on your
student ID including the ÒAÓ. You can register your clicker at http://www.iclicker.com/support/registeryourclicker/
Clicker quizzes will begin in the first week. For
most lectures there will be at least one clicker quiz, the number of quizzes
per lecture may vary. Clicker scores will count towards extra credit starting
on Wednesday, January 11.
Clicker quiz scores will typically be 1 for a wrong
answer and 3 for a correct answer though this might vary. To account for all
valid excuses for missed classes, clicker malfunctions and any other reason one
might have missed a clicker quiz, the clicker score is determined out of the
80% best quizzes.
You must use the clicker in the section you are
registered in to obtain extra credit. Using a clicker registered to another
student in class is considered academic dishonesty.
See below for policy on missed assignments
Grading Information
The final grade in this course will be based on
homework, midterm exams, and the final exam. Each of these items will count as
follows:
The final grade in the course will be assigned on a
fixed scale as follows:
Grade > 92% --- 4.0
84% < Grade < 92% --- 3.5
76% < Grade < 84% --- 3.0
68% < Grade < 76% --- 2.5
60% < Grade < 68% --- 2.0
52% < Grade < 60% --- 1.5
44% < Grade < 52% --- 1.0
Grade < 44% --- 0.0
Policy on missed assignments
and excuses
Contact
your instructor by e-mail as soon as possible if you miss an assignment
for a valid excuse, or if you know you will miss an assignment for a valid
excuse. The earlier you contact your instructor the more likely it is that the
impact on your grade can be minimized. Valid excuses are for example sickness,
major family emergencies, religious or important MSU team sports activities.
Documentation such as a doctorÕs note will be required and must be provided in
class as soon as possible.
Missed homework: If you miss a homework assignment for a
valid excuse, contact the instructor immediately, ideally ahead of the
homework deadline. Typically arrangements for making up the missed
assignment will be made. Note that computer or network problems on Sunday and
other last minute problems will not constitute a valid excuse. You are
responsible for making sure you make the deadline by taking such possibilities
into account and entering answers well ahead of the deadline.
Missed exams: Contact your instructor immediately, ideally
before the exam, for arrangements. Sometimes makeup exams are arranged. They
can only be attended with prior approval from the instructor. They are
typically scheduled ahead of the regular exam.
Missed clicker quizzes: The fact that the extra credit score is determined out of 80% of the
maximum possible score takes care of ALL reasons, including valid excuses, for
missing a clicker quiz. Clicker quizzes therefore cannot be made up for any
reason. If you feel that your case is special (for example, if due to
extended illness you miss more than 20% of the lectures) donÕt hesitate to
contact your instructor.