General College Physics 102A

Fall 2010         Porterville College

 

Professor:  Jon D. Satko

Office: SM 211-K                   Phone: 791-2345         E-mail:  jsatko@pc.cc.ca.us

 

Please refer to my website www.portervillecollege.edu/satko for information on homework assignments, office hours and class cancellations.

 

Class meetings:

MW 9:35 am – 11:00 am                    Room SM 210

F 8:00 am – 11:10 am

 

Materials required:

            Text:  Giancoli’s Physics, 6th ed.

            Notebook

            Scientific calculator

Access to a computer with word processing / graphing capability (I will be using

                        Microsoft Word and Excel in class for laboratory instruction.)

           

Contacting the professor:

The best way to reach me, especially if you want a response, is by email (jsatko@pc.cc.ca.us).

 

Attendance:

Attendance at all scheduled sessions, including lectures, labs and exam, is highly recommended.  If you miss a session, you will not be allowed to make up the work (this includes tests!).

 

Course content:

Physics can be defined as the study of the entire natural or physical world.  To simplify this task, the study of physics is usually divided into the following categories:

 

I.                   Classical Physics

A.    Mechanics

B.     Wave Motion

C.     Heat

D.    Electricity and Magnetism

E.     Light

 

II.                Modern Physics

A.    Relativity

B.     Quantum Mechanics

C.     Atomic and Nuclear Physics

D.    Condensed Matter Physics

E.     Elementary Particle and High-Energy Physics

 

The first semester of this course (102A) is devoted to Mechanics and Wave Motion, with an introduction to Thermodynamics.  In the second semester (102B), you will continue to study Classical Physics, i.e., Heat, Electricity and Magnetism, Light and Nuclear Physics.  As time permits, we will explore topics in Modern Physics such as Relativity and Elementary Particle Physics.

 

Although there are other sciences of nature besides physics, physics is the foundation of these other sciences.  For example, astronomy is the application of physics to the study of all matter beyond the earth.  Chemistry is the study of the properties of matter and the transformation of that matter.  Geology is the application of physics to the study of the earth.  Meteorology is the application of physics to the study of the atmosphere.  Engineering is the application of physics to the solution of practical problems.  The health sciences use so many new techniques and equipment based on physical principles that they require an understanding of physics.

 

Whatever your career aspirations, I hope that this course will lead you to a richer understanding of, and curiosity about, the physical universe.

 

The following chapters of Giancoli’s Physics (6th ed.) will be covered:

 

Chp. 1                         Introduction

Chp. 2             Describing Motion: Kinematics in One Dimension

Chp. 3             Kinematics in Two Dimensions; Vectors

Chp. 4             Motion and Force; Dynamics

Chp. 5             Circular Motion; Gravitation

Chp. 6             Work and Energy

Chp. 7             Linear Momentum

Chp. 8             Rotational Motion

Chp 9              Bodies in Equilibrium

Chp. 10           Fluids

Chp. 11           Vibrations and Waves

Chp. 12           Sound

Chp. 13           Temperature and Kinetic Theory

 

 

Lectures will be an important source of information in the course, but the lectures may not cover everything.  You are responsible for reading and understanding the book as well.  If there is a concept in the reading that you do not understand, please ask in class or during my office hours. 

 


 

 

Student Learning Objectives:

            By the completion of this course the student should be able to:

 

1.      Analyze and solve kinematic problems relating to motion in one or two dimensions.

2.      Analyze and solve dynamic problems relating to motion in one or two dimensions.

3.      Analyze and solve kinematic and dynamic problems relating to rotational and circular motion.

4.      Analyze and solve problems relating to work, energy and power.

5.      Analyze and solve problems relating to fluid statics and dynamics.

6.      Analyze and solve problems relating to waves, vibrations and sound.

7.      Analyze and solve problems relating to thermodynamics.

 

 

Disability resources at Porterville College:

Students with verified disabilities may qualify for alternate media, extended time testing, and other various accommodations provided by the Disability Resource Center.  Contact the DRC in AC 115 (791-2215) for further information

 

 

Expectations for personal conduct in class:

In this classroom is a group of adults who are devoting valuable time and money in pursuit of their education.  Specifically, they are in this classroom to learn the principles of physics.

 

I expect that you will respect the time and money of your classmates by contributing to a healthy learning environment. 

 

(1)   Please be on-time to class, both at the beginning of class, and when returning from scheduled breaks.  If you do come to class while it is already in session, please enter through the rear door (if possible), and do your best not to disturb your classmates.

(2)   Please do not disrupt class with conversations/noise.

(3)   If you have a cell-phone, please silence it before coming to class. 

 

 

Grade Reports:

 

You can access your grade report at any time on www.mygradebook.com.   To log on to the website, type physfall2010 for Username. You will receive your individual password from me.

 

Policy on cheating / plagiarism:

Consult the course catalog for the College’s definitions of cheating and plagiarism.  If at any time I suspect that a student has cheated / plagiarized on an assignment, he/she will receive a zero grade for that assignment, and will be referred to the Dean’s office for probationary action.

Class cancellation:

If I need to cancel a class meeting, I will do my best to contact you via your Porterville College email address.

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS

 

Tests:              100 points each

There will be approximately four tests.

 

Homework:    0 points

The purpose of the homework is to help you to learn and understand the concepts presented in the book and in my lecture, and to help you prepare for each test. 

 

Quizzes:          between 10 and 20 points each

There may be periodic quizzes in class; this will encourage you to stay up to date with the course material. 

 

Labs:              20 points each

Most weeks, you will do an activity that relates to what you are learning in the lecture.  Sometimes you will be required to write your own lab report, while other times you will fill in the blanks of a pre-printed assignment.  Lab reports are due at 8:00 am on the Friday of the following week; you may turn your reports in to me directly, or under my office door.  

 

Final Exam:   150 points

The final exam will be an open-notes, open-book, cumulative exam, covering all material from the semester. 

 

No credit will be earned for late work, and there will be no make-up test, except in cases of emergency.