physics 1110: mechanics
TRANSCRIPT
1
Physics 1110: Mechanics • Professors:
– Kevin Stenson – Ed Kinney
• Classroom: Duane G1B30 (here) • Essential University Physics
Volume 1 by Richard Wolfson Web page: http://www.colorado.edu/physics/phys1110/phys1110_sp15/
2
Instructors Kevin Stenson
Main lecturer Fields questions related to lectures, exams, administrative issues Office: F317, 303-492-1106, [email protected] Office hours: after lecture or by appointment/email
Ed Kinney Tutorial and CAPA homework coordinator Fields questions related to tutorials, CAPA, exams Office: F227, 303-492-0455, [email protected] Office hours: by appointment/email
3
The class web site contains the syllabus, information on tutorials, lecture notes, and links to homework. Web page: http://www.colorado.edu/physics/phys1110/phys1110_sp15/
Web sites
The D2L site will contain information on grades, old exams, etc.
4
Methodology
• The student is not a blank slate upon which professors write but a person with a life spent building up a model of the world.
• Active engagement of the student and a focus on concepts dramatically improves student learning.
Years of physics education research have shown that traditional lectures are not very effective.
Many aspects of this course are inspired by this and other physics education research.
5
Reading the text The recommended textbook is Richard Wolfson’s Essential University Physics Volume 1. You are not required to buy this book but you should have a similar book.
You are strongly encouraged to do the assigned reading before lecture. The assignments are given in the course calendar.
You will get much more out of lecture if you have read the material first.
6
• iClickers are required: can purchase at bookstore – You should label yours in case of loss or mixup
• When a physics question is asked, discuss with a “study group” of a few people in your vicinity
• Then, everyone in the group should vote the same • If you disagree, you should try to explain to the
group why you think your answer is correct • The group discussion is required!
Classroom response system (clickers)
7
• Register at www.colorado.edu/oit/tutorial/cuclickers-iclicker-remote-registration
• Receive 2 points for an answer plus a point for the correct answer (if there is one)
• Score keeping starts 1/21/15 • Lowest five scores are dropped • Why do we use clickers?
– Breaks up lecture, allows you to think and talk about the concepts, gives me feedback on your understanding of the material
– It has been proven to work: students get a better understanding of physics
More on clickers
8
Tutorials
• Tutorial: One 50 minute session on Thursday (or Friday) in G2B75, G2B77, or G2B60, with groups of four working through workbook questions – credit for participation
• Tutorial homework: Long answer questions due in the following week tutorial – credit for good answers
Goal: An in depth examination of an important concept
9
Traditional homework (CAPA) • CAPA homework will be due every week at
11:59pm on Tuesday – There is an automatic extension until 8am on
Wednesday. • Paper copies of your questions with your CAPA
PIN number are in Duane G2B hallway below the lecture hall. Available by 9:50am on Wednesday each week.
• Answers can be entered into any computer with internet access and a compatible browser.
• You generally have 5 tries per problem. • Additional information and links on the web site.
10
Grades • 67% Exams: 3 midterms count 14% each and one
cumulative final counts 25% • 15% Tutorials: 3% tutorial participation, 12% tutorial
homework (lowest score is dropped) • 15% CAPA homework (lowest score is dropped) • 3% Clicker answers (lowest 5 scores are dropped)
• Letter grades will use the following ranges: – A = 90-100 – B = 80-89 – C = 70-79 – D = 55-69 – F = 0-55
• Possible that ranges are extended (made easier).
11
Getting assistance • The instructors, TA’s, & LA’s are here to help you
– but they aren’t mind readers; you need to ask. • Physics help room in G2B90 contains instructors,
TA’s, & LA’s who can help with physics problems and computers for entering CAPA answers. Schedule is available from web site (best to attend when an 1110 TA/LA is present).
• Instructors are available by appointment (send email). Also, Professor Stenson will be available after each lecture.
12
Lecture etiquette • Please do not use your phone, tablet, or laptop
during lecture. It is distracting for both you and the people around you. 50 minutes without connecting to the internet is completely survivable.
• Please feel free to interrupt whenever you have a question. Questions are wonderful. I love answering questions. If you have a question, it is likely many other people have the same question.
13
Clicker question 1 Q. Do you have a working clicker?
A. Yes B. No C. Don’t know
Set frequency to BA
To set frequency, hold down on/off button until power light starts flashing. Then enter BA and vote light should flash green and power light should be solid blue. Can only set frequency after the first question of the class has started.
Can vote as often as you like during the allowed time; only the last vote counts
14
Physics is an experimental science • Observations or experiments produce data • Physicists construct theories to explain the data
and predict the results of future experiments • As more data are obtained theories will be
discarded, verified, or modified • Theories must be falsifiable – this is why an
appeal to the supernatural is not science
15
Goals for this course • Learn to think like a scientist • Develop good problem solving skills • Gain an understanding of “mechanics” including:
– Linear and rotational motion, momentum, acceleration, and forces
– Energy concepts including work, kinetic energy, and potential energy
16
Things you will learn: • How a rocket works • Why you get thrown
off a fast merry-go-round
• Why a spinning top doesn’t fall over
• Why the Earth doesn’t fall into the Sun
• Why cars have crumple zones