Physics 101: Major Concepts of Physics  Fall 2006

Instructor: Prof. Peter Saulson, saulson@physics.syr.edu, 3-5994, Physics Bldg. Rm. 263-4.

Co-Instructor: Prof. Jen Schwarz, jschwarz@physics.syr.edu, 3-3887, Physics Bldg. Rm. 215

Course Secretary: Ms. Arlene Johnston, Physics Bldg. Rm. 111, 3-1915

Course Description

   PHY 101 is an introductory course in physics. The course is a survey of introductory physics and its application to other sciences, organized around the theme of energy.
   Energy is important because there is a law of nature (sometimes called the 1st Law of Thermodynamics) that states that the energy of any isolated system always remains the same, neither increasing nor decreasing. This is an astonishingly powerful idea. Energy is perhaps the single most important unifying idea in physics, and it is the reason that physics is applicable throughout chemistry, biology, engineering, economics, geography, nutrition, and exercise science. By exploring the concept of energy, we can follow this chain of connections from physics out into the world at large.
   No prior knowledge of physics is required, although previous knowledge may help you to see certain concepts in a richer context.
   PHY 101 is on the Basic List in Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the Liberal Arts Core, and satisfies the requirement for a course with laboratory.
 

Course Fee Rationale

   To support the laboratory, you have been charged a course fee of $25. This fee helps pay for (i) handouts and lab manuals which are distributed to you, and (ii) supplies, small pieces of apparatus, and maintenance for the laboratory equipment..
 

Course Objectives

      Our goal in PHY 101 is for you to learn something essential about how the world works. More specifically, you should expect to learn the following:
  1. What are the basic objects out of which the world is made, what rules govern their behavior, and how are the parts related to one another? This will take us through some high points of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, chemical energetics,  thermodynamics, ecology, physiology, earth science, and power engineering.
  2. What are the key numbers that describe the scale of important processes in the world? By the end of the course, you should know how much electricity you use each day, how much it costs, and why; you should also be able to express (in the same units of measurement) how much you eat and why.
  3. How does the concept of energy enable a unified understanding of such a wide range of subjects?
  4. What does it mean to have a scientific understanding of the world? Are there limits to scientific thinking?
   Numbers carry a lot of the meaning of the concept of energy. We won't do complicated mathematics, but we will speak the language of numbers. You will need to be fluent in the use and interpretation of graphs, and also will need to memorize and use a few simple formulas.

Textbook

   The text for PHY 101 is Energy: Physical, Environmental, and Social Impact, by Gordon J. Aubrecht.

Course Work

   Lectures will meet in Stolkin Auditorium in the Physics Building on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:00 a.m. until 9:20 a.m. Most of the lectures will be given by Prof. Saulson, and the rest will be given by Prof. Schwarz.
   Most weeks, your studio section will meet. In PHY 101, studios serve the function of a combined laboratory and recitation. This is a key time to go over difficult concepts, work hands-on with the key ideas of the course, and discuss the homework. In other words, studio time is designed to solidify your understanding.
   Each week there will be a homework assignment. Working the homework problems is one of the most important activities of PHY 101, since that is where you clarify concepts and test your understanding. The homework sets will be due each week at your studio, and your work will be graded. Exams will be drawn to a very large extent from the homework problems, so doing the homework each week is also the best way to prepare for exams.
   At the end of each week's studio, you will also hand in answers to a few questions based on the lab activity of that week's meeting. This is the other most important learning activity of the course. It will be graded as well.

Mid-term and Final Examinations

   There will be two short mid-term exams, held in lecture on the days given in the Course Calendar. No make up exams will be given. If you have to miss a mid-term exam for a legitimate reason, you will need to take an oral examination with Prof. Saulson.
   The Final Exam will be held on Thursday December 14 from 12:30 to 2:30  p.m. No make-up Final Exam of any form will be offered for any reason.

Office Hours

   Every member of the staff of PHY 101 is committed to giving you every opportunity to succeed in the course. If you need help, please speak to one of us. We would also be happy to discuss any course topic in more detail.

   Prof. Saulson will hold weekly office hours on Tuesdays from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. in Room 263-4, Physics Building. If those regular office hours turn out to be inconvenient for you, please send an e-mail message to saulson@physics.syr.edu or call 3-5994 for an appointment.

   Prof. Schwarz will offer weekly Problem Sessions on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., at a location to be announced soon.

   The other members of the course staff will announce their Physics Clinic hours shortly.

   Ms. Arlene Johnston is available in Room 111, Physics Building, from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. weekdays. She is the person to see for signatures on add/drop forms, or for other administrative matters. If she is ever unavailable, please go to the Physics Department Main Office, Room 201 Physics Building, for assistance.

Grading

   Grades will be calculated based on your scores on various course activities, in the following proportions:
Mid-term exam #1: 15%; mid-term exam #2: 25%; Final Exam 35%; homework 10%; lab reports 15%.
   Your course grade will be determined from your total score at the end of the semester. The grade limits will not be stricter than the following: 60% for a C-, 80% for a B-, and 90% for an A-. More detailed breakdowns will be determined at the end of the semester.

A note about working with friends

   Working with friends can be very helpful in learning a difficult subject like physics. We encourage you to find other classmates with whom to study. However, when it comes time to write up your homework, you must work on your own. You should never copy anybody else's work, or even paraphrase it. We will be strict about enforcing this rule.