College Physics I Syllabus for 2013-2014
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

PHYS-1401-001 College Physics I

Prerequisites

Math 1316

Course Description

Fundamental principles of physics, using algebra and trigonometry; the principles and applications of classical mechanics and thermodynamics, including harmonic motion, mechanical waves and sound, physical systems, Newton’s Laws of Motion, and gravitation and other fundamental forces; with emphasis on problem solving. Laboratory activities will reinforce lecture content.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ 1.Text Book: PHYSICS By Cutnell & Johnson - 9 th Edition - Wiley

\

\

\

\ 2. Class Notes on College Physics I by Rathna Prabhakar

\

\

\

\ 3. Lab Manual by Rathna Prabhakar

\

\  

Supplies

\ Scientific calculator
\ Homework folder with pockets (5)
\ Class work notebook
\ Pen and pencils (including colored pencils)
\ Ruler, protractor and compass sets
\ Graph paper
\

Student Performance

\ After completing this course, the student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the following topics:

\

\ 1.  Describe and solve one dimensional kinematic problems, especially uniformly accelerated motion problems.

\

\ 2.  Understand the definition of vector and use it to discuss projectile motion, relative motion, and uniform circular motion in two dimensions.

\

\ 3.  Be familiar with three Newton's laws and use them to solve dynamic problems.

\

\ 4.  Understand the definitions of kinetic energy, potential energy, and mechanical energy. Use conservation of mechanical energy or work-energy theorem to solve problems for conservative systems and non-conservative systems.

\

\ 5.  Understand the definitions of linear momentum, impulse, and center of mass. Use linear momentum conservation to solve collision problems in one dimension and two dimensions.

\

\ 6.  Understand the definitions of angular quantities, moment of inertia, torque, and angular momentum. Solve simple kinematic and dynamic problems in rotation about a fixed axis.

\

\ 7.  Understand static equilibrium conditions and use them to solve static equilibrium problems.

\

\ 8.  Understand Pascal's principle, Achimedes' principle, and Bernoulli's equation including the applications to real-world problems.

\

\ 9.  Understand the definitions of temperature, heat, specific heat, and other concepts in thermal physics. Be able to solve thermal expansion problems and calorimetry problems.

\

\ 10. Understand the first and second laws of thermodynamics, ideal gas law, and the kinetic theory of gases. Be able to solve ideal gas problems and simple thermodynamic problems.

\

\ 11.Describe simple harmonic motion, damped oscillation, forced vibration, and resonance.

\

\ 12.Understand pulse wave, harmonic wave, and standing wave in one dimension.

\

\ After completing the lab part of the course, the student will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

\

\ 1.  Conduct basic laboratory experiments involving classical mechanics.

\

\ 2.  Prepare laboratory reports that clearly communicate experimental information in a logical and scientific manner.

\

\ 3.  Relate physical observations and measurements involving classical mechanics to theoretical principles.

\

\ 4.  Evaluate the accuracy of physical measurements and the potential sources of error in the measurements.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

\ As expected in any college or university, every 1 hour of lecture needs at least 2 hours of out of class study to get good grades in the subject, which implies at least 3 hours of outside work for every day of class. Attendance in the Recitation Period is mandatory. Students can leave the class only after getting their work corrected and signed by the instructor. Recitation classes and Lab Periods can be interchanged at the discretion of the Instructor.

\

\ Tests and Quizzes: Each test including Final Exam is 12% of the final grades. One test grade (the lowest one ) will be eliminated for the averaging. NO MAKE UP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN. If a student is absent for any of the major tests, the final test (comprehensive) grade will be substituted. The test dates will be announced at least one week in advance. One and only one cheat card (3*5) will be allowed for each test and 3 of them will be allowed on the finals. A number of quizzes will be assigned - some for homework and some in class. Each major test will have some problems from the quizzes. Reviews are very important, since tests will be based on these problems and the quizzes. The review must be given for correction one week before each test, so that you get a chance for correcting the wrong ones and learning how to do the problems. All problems must be done with all the necessary steps including the proper labeled diagrams for a credit. This applies to homework, quizzes and tests. No credits for answers alone. Each review will be graded on the corresponding test days - NO exceptions will be made. The third Test will be the week before the Finals (Wednesday).

\

\ FOOD/DRINK: It is the policy of the Division of Sciences and Engineering and the Physical Sciences Department that food and drink be allowed in the classroom setting, at the instructors discretion, but food and drink are not allowed in the Labs.

\

\ PHONE/PAGERS: It is the policy of the Division of Sciences and Engineering and the Physical Sciences Department that cell phones and pagers must be turned off or in silent mode in the classrooms and the Labs.

\

\  

Grading Criteria

\ Grading Scale:
\ The final grades of A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), and F below 60) will be computed as the average of the earned grades from:

\

\
\ Three major exams (12% each)                                           36 %
\ Quizzes -                                                                                   10 %

\

\ Homework ( Problems at the end of each chapter)         7 %
\ Reviews (4-2.5% each) -                                                        10 %
\ Final Exam (comprehensive) -                                             12 %
\ Discretionary points (attendance, participation) -             5 %

\

\ Lab                                                                                                20  %

\

\
\ TOTAL -                                                                                     100%

\

\ Extra Credit for Theoretical Homework                                5 %

\

\ There will be 3 Major tests and 1 Finals. Test dates will be announced at least 1 week in advance. More over before each of the major tests and finals, a Review sheet will be given with about 15 - 20 problems. The test will be modeled on these review questions and the quizzes.

\

\ There will be no more extra credits except the above mentioned Theoretical questions at the end of each chapter.

\

\  

\

\  

\

\  

Attendance

 

The class consists of 3 hours of lecture, 1 hour of recitation and 2 1/2 hours of lab every week. The Physical concepts and principles will be discussed during the lecture time. Problems will be solved with all the 7 steps and student participation is very much encouraged. Homework and quizzes will be assigned. Some work in the library or the Internet is required to answer some of the homework questions. All quizzes will be solved in the class also.

Recitation period is for the students to do their review problems, Group work is encouraged and help can be obtained either from the instructor or peers to get the doubts cleared. The lab period is to do the assigned lab in groups. Experiments will be based on the theory of the chapter being studied during that week.

Class attendance is mandatory. A student cannot pass the course without attending the classes and handing in all the properly worked out assignments and reviews on their own. About 5% of the final grade is assigned to attending all the classes and participating in a positive manner (including going to the board and solving problems) in the class. The chapters may not be done in the order as given in the book. The order will be determined as deem appropriate by the instructor. If a student is absent for any reason, it is his/her responsibility to find out the various announcements, work done, assignments and everything else that was done in the class period. Attendance in the Recitation period is mandatory. Students can leave the class only after getting their work corrected and signed by the instructor.

The student is responsible for dropping the course. If you stop attending classes and do not officially drop by November 20, 2013, you will receive a grade of "F" for the course.

Calendar

Additional Information

\ Pre-requisite : Trigonometry

\

\ Course Content:

\

\ Introduction: Chapter 1 - History, Basic Units of measurement, Dimensional analysis

\

\ Mechanics:Chapters 2-11 - Kinematics, Dynamics, Work, Momentum, RotationalMotion, SHM, Solids and Fluid dynamics

\

\ Thermodynamics:Chapters 12-15 (time permitting) , Thermal Physics, Heat,

\

\ Laws of Thermodynamics

\

\ Experiments will be based on the theory of the chapter being studied.

\

\  

\

\ Questions: I will be available to help you as much as possible. Please consult my office hours pasted on my office door (Durrett Hall 209A). I am always in the class or in the lab by 4.30 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays. If you have problems or if you are unclear about anything, please feel free to consult with me as soon as possible. If you wait until the end of the semester, it may be too late to improve your situation and you may not understand the following classes. I am always delighted to help you.

\

\