Introduction to PhysicsPhysics 102, Section 001

Instructor: Prof. Steve KochTA: Mr. Zhang Jiang

Essential web page for course: http://vista.unm.edu

Let’s register iClickers

My background

U. Michigan B.S. PhysicsCornell Ph.D., Physics / Biophsysics

Experimental biophysics researchDo a google search for koch lab tweezers

Make sure you write down this information!!!

Main website for class: vista.unm.eduThe website will have most updated syllabus, along with contact information and other course materials.

Instructor contact: sjkoch@unm.eduemail is the best way to contact me.

Also we have a facebook page:UNM Physics 102 with Koch

(I am not sure what we’ll do with this page,WebCT is the official and essential website!)

Phys. 102 is general physics with minimal mathematics

Targeted tonon-science students in all colleges students planning to major in the sciences who want a

general introduction to the concepts of physics.

Styleprimarily descriptivepractical demos and a minimum of elementary

mathematicsno previous physics preparation is assumed

Possible Topicsmatter, energy, waves, sound, light,

atomic and nuclear physics, mechanics, electromagnetism and relativity, thermodynamics

The goal is to learn physics concepts

NOT a course in applied mathematics!

NOT a course in physics trivia and factoids!

YES a course in understanding physics conceptsHow does the moon control the tides?Why does sunlight turn red during sunsets?How does a nuclear reactor work?What forces does a protein encounter inside a

cell?

Success in learning the physics concepts will enrich your life!

Heightened enjoyment of natural wondersRainbows, ocean waves, sunsets, blue skies…

Improved ability to understand technologyCell phones, ipods, nuclear power, energy

shortages

Deeper understanding of future science materialBiology, psychology, chemistry, medicine, physicsEven non-science subjects like law, politics, …

Example: guess what this video is…mitose en contraste Nomarski, http://www-esbs.u-strasbg.fr/notesdecours/2eme-annee/BioCell_De_Mey_2003/main.htm

Also search for“mitosis” on youtube

There is another P102 section and also a 102 Lab

Other section taught by Prof. Saul, possibly quite different. (MW 4 pm)

102 Lab sections share students between two lecture sections and different from our lecture material.

What is Physics? … Let’s brainstorm(this is an activity we’ll do in most lectures)

Behavior of matter; How bodies interact; how stuff works; the law of motion; understanding chemistry; natural and unnatural force (manmade);

What is Physics?

Physics is about the nature of basic things such as motion, forces, energy, matter, heat, sound, light, and the structure of atoms.

Our Textbook

Wikipedia 8/2006

Physics attempts to describe the natural world by the application of the scientific method.

Richard Feynman…

Wikipedia January 2008Physics is the science of matter and its motion, as well as space and time— the science that deals with concepts such as force, energy, mass, and charge. Physics is an experimental science, and it is the objective of physicists to understand how the natural world works.

Behavior of matter; How bodies interact; how stuff works; the law of motion; understanding chemistry; natural and unnatural force (manmade);

Experiments are crucial to science

“The principle of science, the definition, almost, is the following: The test of all knowledge is experiment.”

Richard Feynman

“But also needed is imagination…to guess at the wonderful, simple, but very strange patterns beneath [the experiments], and then to experiment to check again whether we have made the right guess.”

“Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts”

See wikiquote andFeynman.com

This is one of the reasons we will do interactive lecture

demos

Let’s get an introduction to iClickers and group workby “learning about learning”

Group work, let’s teach each other!!!Form groups of about 5 peoplePick a leader to:

write down FULL names + physical clue (e.g. hair style)write down answers

Wikipedia User:Ripounet

Rule: if a card shows an even number on one face, then its opposite face shows a primary color (red, blue, or green)

Which cards must you turn over to see if this is true?

A) 8 & BrownB) 3 & BrownC) 8 & RedD) All of themE) Red & Brown

Let’s get an introduction to iClickers and group workby “learning about learning”

Wikipedia User:Ripounet

Rule: If you are drinking alcohol then you must be over 21

The cards have age on one side and beverage on the other?Which cards must you turn over to catch people breaking the rule?

A) 17 & BeerB) 22 & BeerC) 17 & CokeD) All of themE) Coke & Beer

2217 Bee

r

Coke

Let’s get an introduction to iClickers and group workby “learning about learning”

Rule: If you are drinking alcohol then you must be over 21

The cards have age on one side and beverage on the other?Which cards must you turn over to catch people breaking the rule?

A) 17 & BeerB) 22 & BeerC) 17 & CokeD) All of themE) Coke & Beer

2217 Bee

r

Coke

A) 8 & BrownB) 3 & BrownC) 8 & RedD) All of themE) Red & BrownRule: if a card shows an even number on one face, then its opposite face shows a primary color

(red, blue, or green)

Which cards must you turn over to see if this is true?

OK: Back to some administrative details

Course grade will reflect how well you understand the concepts

“Exam pressure” is very highFour exams determine almost all of course gradeNo opportunity for “extra credit”

The final course grade will be as follows:90% Exams10% Clicker questions, participation only:

credit from correct or incorrect answers

Exams will challenge understanding of concepts

ContentMultiple choiceNo surprises if you do all of the work (attend class,

quizzes, homework)Challenge understanding of conceptSpan range of difficulty

Exam Dates To be determinedOne in Feb., March, April, and May (during final exam

time)

Homework and quizzes will reinforce and assess learning of concepts…but are not graded

Homework AssignmentsPosted and “collected” on WebCTTextbook reading, problems and exercises

QuizzesOnline quizzes with due datesMultiple choice questions similar to exam

questions

First homework assignment due before Thursday’s class

Read syllabus on WebCT Vistahttp://vista.unm.edu

Purchase TextbookConceptual Physics, 10th edition, Paul Hewitt, at

bookstore

Purchase iClicker

ReadingReading assignment will be posted on WebCT, Due ThursdayCheck WebCT tomorrow (Wednesday)!!!

Technical Support and Teaching Assistant

Ms. Cathy Webster can help with technical supportsee: http://panda.unm.edu/Courses/StudentHelp/index.html

Office Hours

My office hours are on demand

Please send me an email to set up an appointment!!!