Announcements:

WELCOME to the Spring 10 semester!!



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PHYS1402 - GENERAL PHYSICS II - Syllabus Summary

Office: WN 206B Phone: 281.618.5795


TEXT: Young & Geller. College Physics (8th ed.) San Francisco: Addison Wesley
ISBN 0-8053-7823-5

Calculator: non-graphing!!

COURSE DESCRIPTION: (See LSC System catalog.)

CREDIT: 4 semester hours


COURSE GOALS: There are four broad goals of the course:

1) Comprehend basic physics knowledge (including theories, methods, and pinciples).

2) Develop effective problem-solving strategies (qualitative and quantitative).

3) Relate physics to other disciplines and to societal issues.

4) Appreciate contributions to the discipline of physics arising from curiosity, investigation, and creativity.



ROLES and RESPONSIBILITIES: Understanding concepts and solving problems are both essential toward success in learning physics.  The two are inseparable and support each other.  In this course, I will present concepts in a variety of ways to help you understand the science of physics and your responsibility is to actively engage in your own learning.  Each class period includes mini-lectures, interactive learning tasks, problem-solving practice, and assessment strategies.  The laboratory component is implemented where appropriate to the related topic.

ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED.  Regular attendance and participation in class activities are absolutely essential to your success in this course!  It is also important to be punctual.  Classes begin with handouts, quizzes, and/or announcements.  You are responsible for all information and instructions discussed in class. It is, therefore, a good idea to get a few names and phone numbers of others in the class so that you might reach them if you miss a class.  In case of a prolonged absence (2 or more
class meetings), please notify me. 

MONITORING OF YOUR LEARNING.  In an effort to help you monitor your understanding and for me to assess progress, both graded and ungraded quizzes will be given.  Understanding physics is challenging, yet, attainable!

ONLINE HOMEWORK.  I will make sure that you are registered with the online homework service (provided by the University of Texas).  Details will be provided the first day of class.  You are responsible for submitting answers by the due dates-
no exceptions. Advantages of the service include: flexibility, an online discussion board, immediate feedback related to correctness, and partial credit. 

How do you feel you are doing?  Please discuss your concerns with me!


COURSE GRADE: Exams (3) 40%
                          Final (comprehensive) 20%
                          Homework/quizzes 20%
                          Labs 20%

Please make note of the scheduled exam days (which also include laecture or lab!). NO MAKE-UP EXAMS ARE GIVEN; however, you may replace the lowest exam grade with a prorated final exam score (exception: a zero for cheating cannot be replaced.) Only NON-GRAPHING calculators may be used during exams and the Final.


GRADING SCALE: The following scale is used for semester grades:

     A: 89.5-100 Excellent Performance
     B: 79.5-89.4 Good Performance
     C: 69.5-79.4 Acceptable Performance
     D: 59.5-69.4 Passing
     F: below 59.5 Failing



ACADEMIC DISHONESTY and DISABILITIES STATEMENT:  (See syllabus for 1401 at Schoolnotes site!)

Schedule: Tentative and subject to change.

Week          TOPIC                                         Reading Assignment

1             Electrostatic forces                          Chapt. 17:1-3
               Electrostatic labs

2             Coulomb's Law; electric fields           Chapt. 17:4-7
                 Lab A & p.572

3             Electric potential energy;                  Chapt. 18:1-4
               electric potential
                 Lab B

4            Capacitors; energy consservation      Chapt. 18.5-8
              Ohm's Law; current,resistors             Chapt. 19.1-4
                 Lab C

                                    EXAM I: Feb. 17

5            Circuits; capacitors                           Chapt. 19:5-7
                 Lab D

6            Magnetic force;magnetic field             Chapt. 20:1-4
              Applications                                      Chapt. 20:5-9

7            EM Induction                                     Chapt. 21:1-4
              Electromagnetic waves                      Chapt. 23:1-6

8            Reflection; Exploration                       Chapt. 23.7
              Plane/spherical mirrors                      Chapt. 24:1

                                    EXAM II: Mar. 10

9            Refraction; Snell's Law                       Chapt. 23:7
              Thin-Lens equation                            Chapt. 24:5
              Lens Lab

10          Polarization                                       Chapt. 23:9-12
              Dispersion; scattering

11          Human eye; lens applications              Chapt. 25:3-4
             Optics Lab

12          Interference; lab                                Chapt. 26:1-3
              Diffraction                                         Chapt. 26:4,6,9
              Lab

                                  EXAM III: Apr. 14

13          Einstein; intro to relativity                   Chapt. 27:1-4
             Photoelectric effect;nuclear atom         Chapt. 28:1-6

14          Models of the atom                             Chapt. 29
             Nuclear physics                                   Chapt. 30:1-5

15          Nuclear reactions                                Chapt. 30:6-7
             Fundamental particles                                        8-10


                          FINAL EXAM: May 10      8:00am-9:50am