Principles of Physics I Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Course

PHYS-2425-001 Principles of Physics I

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: MATH 2413

Course Description

Fundamental principles of physics, using calculus, for science, computer science and engineering majors; the principles and applications of classical mechanics, including harmonic motion and physical systems; emphasis on problem solving. Basic laboratory experiments supporting theoretical principles presented in lecture involving the principles and applications of classical mechanics, including harmonic motion and physical systems; experimental design, data collection and analysis, and preparation of laboratory reports.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Lecture: Physics for Scientists and Engineers 10th edition, Serway & Jewitt (hardcopy optional, WebAssign includes an ebook copy). 

Lab: Laboratory Manual for PHYS 2425, on Blackboard

Homework: You will need to get a code for WebAssign.net (Cengage), either from the bookstore or directly from the site.  (The codes available from the bookstore work for two semesters, and are a better deal if you expect to take PHYS 2426 here.)  If you are retaking Physics 1 and still have a valid code from 9th Edition, you will need to contact Cengage support to get transferred to 10th edition.

Supplies

Calculator: You will need a calculator that is not your phone that can handle scientific notation, exponents, and trigonometric functions.

Ruler and Protactor: While there are rulers and protractors in the classroom for student use, you may wish to get your own.

Student Performance

After completing the lecture of this course, students should be able to:

1.      Determine the components of linear motion (displacement, velocity, and acceleration), and especially motion under conditions of constant acceleration

2.      Solve problems involving forces and work.

3.      Apply Newton’s laws to physical problems.

4.      Identify the different types of energy.

5.      Solve problems using principles of conservation of energy.

6.      Define the principles of impulse, momentum, and collisions.

7.      Use principles of impulse and momentum to solve problems.

8.      Determine the location of the center of mass and center of rotation for rigid bodies in motion.

9.      Discuss rotational kinematics and dynamics and the relationship between linear and rotational motion.

10.  Solve problems involving rotational and linear motion

11.  Define equilibrium, including the different types of equilibrium.

12.  Discuss simple harmonic motion and its application to real-world problems.

13.  Describe the components of a wave and relate those components to mechanical vibrations, sound, and decibel level.

   After completing the lab part of the course, students should be able to:

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

2.      Conduct basic laboratory experiments involving classical mechanics.

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

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

5.      Design fundamental experiments involving principles of classical mechanics.

6.      Identify appropriate sources of information for conducting laboratory experiments involving classical mechanics.

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

The lecture meetings will include class discussion and some activities, so students will not be expected to sit quietly the entire time.  Students will be expected to exercise good judgement regarding when to speak and when to listen, however, both with Dr. Van Domelen and their fellow students.

Students are expected to remain up-to-date on their own grades, and bring any disputes to the instructor in a timely manner.  Other than disputes regarding the final exam itself, all disputes must be brought up prior to taking the final exam.

To avoid disruption and potential embarrassment, please silence all electronic devices.  Outside of quizzes and exams, portable electronics will be allowed.  However, unless they are part of an assistive system (see Disability Services if in doubt), please remove any earpieces or headphones.

You may record (audio or video) lectures for your personal use or to share with other students currently taking this course.  You do not have permission to post them online for wide distribution or to sell them or otherwise profit by the distribution of the lectures.

Academic dishonesty will at a minimum be punished by a score of zero on the relevant task.  This includes cheating on exams, and turning in lab reports for a lab that was not actually attended.  (The online homework is harder to cheat than to just do honestly, but please do not take this as a challenge.)  Additional sanctions at the College level may be applied if the situation merits.

Grading Criteria

Three hour-long exams will together compose 30% of the class grade, while the final exam will count as 20%.  Homework will count for 20% of the grade, Laboratory writeups count for 15%, and Pre-Lab exercises for 5%. Participation in group work during recitation will make up the remaining 10%.

If it will raise your average, the lowest regular exam grade (unless it is a zero given for cheating) will be replaced by the percentage score of the final exam.

The laboratory grade will use the best 9 reports out of 10 assigned.  A bonus of one full lab's worth of points will be given if all 10 reports are completed (or if any absences are excused, at Dr. Van Domelen’s discretion).

Attendance will be taken at the beginning of lecture.  Good attendance will be rewarded with bonus points on the last homework assignment, with 15 points (1.5 full homework assignments' worth) for perfect attendance, one point less for each lecture missed, to a minimum of zero.  If you arrive late, it is your responsibility to make sure you get marked present.

The harshest grading scale that will be applied will be as follows: 89.5% = A, 79.5% = B, 69.5% = C, 59.5% = D.  Dr. Van Domelen reserves the right to adjust the curve to be more forgiving, but will not make it harsher.  The final analysis will consider the grades of all students: a few very high scores will not prevent a relaxing of the curve if most of the class struggled.  The resulting curve will probably be uneven, meaning the numerical ranges of each letter grade will not be the same.

Attendance

Student attendance in lecture and lab is expected.  Note that the lecture is not just a reading of the textbook, and portions of the tests will be over material not covered in the textbook.

If a student has what Dr. Van Domelen considers to be a reasonable excuse for missing lab, it will not be counted against the "perfect attendance" bonus.

Important note: Students who miss all meetings of the class in the first two weeks will be automatically dropped.

Calendar

Additional Information

If you are going to miss class due to weather, illness, or other issues, please notify Dr. Van Domelen by email as soon as possible.  Non-final Exams can be given later in the week (or during another section’s exam time), and lab absences can be excused by the circumstances.

Should COVID levels result in the school returning to a restricted in-person format, further details will be provided based on the school's decisions, including the possibility of online exams.  A course Discord exists and you are encouraged to join it, as it can be useful even if we stay in-person (e.g. if you are quarantined, you can listen to lectures live and participate in group problems).