SFSU Physics and Astronomy Department

( P & A Dept. |SFSU |RWB )

8/23/2004 7:24 AM

Physics 240 Syllabus, Fall 2004

http://www.physics.sfsu.edu/~bland/courses/240/

( Course Schedule | Mastering Physics | online homework )

( Lab Schedule | Lab Sections, Instructors, Hours | Enrollment | Back to Ph 240 page)

Phys 240: General Physics with Calculus III (14613); MWF 9:10-10:00, TH 329. This is the third semester of a three-semester survey course in physics, covering waves, optics, thermodynamics, and modern physics.

Prerequisites: Phys 220 and Math 227, both with grade of C or better; Math 228 recommended.  Must be taken concurrently with Phys 242.

 

Instructor: Roger Bland - office Th 316, phone 338-2433; lab Th 208, phone 338-1969; home phone 664-3982; cell phone 415-269-8773; HELP session for Ph 240, Friday 11:10, TH 118; office hours M 14:10, W 11:10 and 13:10, in TH 316, or by email (bland at stars.sfsu.edu).

 

Texts: Physics: The Nature of Things, by Susan M. Lea and John Robert Burke (Brooks/Cole, 1997; ISBN # 0-314-05273-9) (REQUIRED)
 Preparation for Introductory College Physics, by John Celesia (Brooks/Cole, 1999, ISBN 0-314-20933-6) (OPTIONAL)
The Portable TA: a Physics Problem Solving Guide, Volume I, by Andrew Elby (Prentice-Hall, 1998, ISBN 0-13-231713-3) (OPTIONAL)

Lab Texts: General Physics III With Calculus Laboratory, manual sold in the lab (about $15.00) (REQUIRED)
Web site for problem tutorial: http://www.physics.sfsu.edu/~lea/tutor/tutorial.html

Mastering Physics:  http://www.masteringphysics.com/  (online homework - see http://www.physics.sfsu.edu/~bland/lock/ph240/onlinehomework.html for instructions).

 

Course Objectives: The student will

  • learn basic concepts of fluids, waves, thermodynamics and quantum physics.
  • relate visual and graphical description of physical phenomena to a description in terms of equations and mathematical models.
  • apply physical laws and principles to current technological problems and issues.
  • learn the scientific process of testing theory by confrontation with experiment (lab)
  • measure basic physical quantities and analyze data using computer-based tools, working in small groups (lab)

Topical Outline

Fluids

Ch. 13

Waves

Ch. 15,16

Light

Ch. 17,18

Thermodynamics

Ch. 19-22

Quantum Physics

Ch. 35

Nuclear Physics

Ch. 36

Particle Physics

Ch. 37

Homework: There will be homework assigned each week, to be done at the Mastering Physics web site. The password for the protected course web page will be given out in class.  The homework is very important. It counts as part of the grade, and it will be hard to do well on the tests without having done the homework. Solutions to homework problems will be posted on line after the due date, and the problems can be completed late for partial credit.  It is a good idea when working problems on the web to write out an informal solution to the problem as you go.  Make a diagram, and explain the approach you are taking in works.  Note that diagrams and explanations will be required on exams.

 

HELP Sessions: There will be three one-hour problem-working sessions scheduled for this course. The help-session schedule will be posted outside the Department office when it is finalized.

Exams: There will be five 10-minute quizzes, three midterms, and a final exam. (See the course schedule for dates.) Please note that during exams each student must work completely independently. Students are not expected to help each other on exams or to look at other people's papers. All instances of cheating on exams will be reported to the Dean of Students, and a zero grade will be given on the test.

Lab: The lab must be taken concurrently with the lecture course. Be sure and go to the first meeting of your section. For the first meeting of the lab you should bring:

  • A hard-bound quad-ruled lab book to write in; Roaring Springs #77475 ($2.95 at the bookstore) is fine.
  • The lab manual, sold by the Physics and Astronomy Club in room Th 115; you can buy the lab manual during the first meeting of the lab. Please be prepared to pay in cash (about $10.00).
  • You will also need a calculator with statistical functions. Bring the calculator's instruction manual to the first lab meeting.

Grading: The grade for the lecture course (Ph 240) will be based on the homework and exam grades as indicated below. 

 
        Final Exam             30%
        Midterms               30%
        Quizzes (best 4 of 5)  20%
        Homework (drop 2)      20%

The grade for the lab (Ph 242) is separate from the lecture-course grade.

Comprehensive Final Exam: Wednesday December 15, 8:00-10:30