Elementary Physics (101N)  Syllabus Fall 2005 
(modified 8/23/05)

Lecturer: Prof L. Weinstein
Office: OCNPS 217 or Nuclear Facility, 1021 W 47th St, Room 104, 683--5803
Email: weinstei(deletethisjunk)@physics.odu.edu
Office Hours: Friday 10:00--11:00 in the Learning Center, 11:00-12:00 in OCNPS 217, and by appointment
Web Page:  http://www.physics.odu.edu/~weinstei/101f05.html

If you are confused or don't understand something, get help immediately.  You can avoid large problems by getting help early.

Textbooks:
Lecture: Conceptual Physics, 10th ed, by P. Hewitt, Addison Wesley, 2005. Note: new edition!
Optional Text: The Cartoon Guide to Physics,  by L. Gonick
Lab Manual (required): Physics 101 Lab Manual, 8th Ed
Last Year's Lecture Notes:  (highly recommended) Coursepack in Monarch Copy Center
Transmitter: PRS Interwrite transmitter (at the bookstore).  Needed for the in-class participation grade.  New textbooks should include a coupon to save money on this item.   You will also need to activate your clicker at via LEO Online. To activate your clicker:

• Log in to LEO Online Secure Area
• Click on the Student Link (Admissions, Registration, etc.)
• Click Registration
• Click Activate/Change Clicker Number
• Click Add/Change Clicker Number
• Enter Clicker Number
• Click Submit

Grading:  This course is uncurved. Everyone can get an A.
20% -- Homework 
5%  --  In class participation (eg: clicker responses, helping with demos, asking questions)
30% -- 2 Exams, 15% each
30% -- Final Exam
15% -- Laboratory
Yes, I give more weight to the homework than to the lab.  If you can do the homework then you will be able to ace the tests.

Exams:
Tentative dates: Oct 7 and Nov 11
No make-up exams will be given.  If you have to miss a test, contact me as soon as possible.
Closed book exams.  Bring a calculator and a one page crib sheet (no xeroxes).
Final Exam: 8:30--11:30 AM, Friday Dec 16, 2005, Room 200 OCNPS

Homework:

• Homework is assigned by Friday on the web and due the following Friday by 12:00 noon in the homework mailbox outside OCNPS 124. Late homework will not be accepted.
• The lowest homework score will be dropped.
• Homework is not a test.  You are encouraged to work together.  However, all explanations must be in your own words.  You must show your work on all numerical problems. One word answers are never sufficient.
• Homework is to be submitted on 8.5x11 paper.  Place a box around your answer to each problem.  Fold your  paper once along the long side.  On the outside of your homework put the following information: your printed name, 'Physics 101', Homework Assignment Number, and the date.
• Privacy Concern: If you do NOT want other people to be able to see your homework grade when it is returned, let me know. I will assign you an ID number to use on your homework instead of your name.
• Solutions will be posted on the web.  Check the solutions to make sure that a) you understand the problem and the solution, b) the grader did not make a mistake, and c) you received all the points you deserve. I will be happy to adjust your score upwards if you deserve it. I will never reduce your homework grade.
• Graded homework is returned in the cubbyholes opposite the elevator on the second floor of OCNPS.
• Use of published homework solutions is considered cheating.

Laboratory:

• Oceanography and Physics, Room 140.  See Laboratory Schedule for details.  Labs start the first week of class.
• Students who fail the laboratory will fail the entire course.
• Attendance is mandatory. You will be allowed one (1) unexcused absence during the semester.  If you have two or more unexcused absences, you will fail the entire course.  It is your responsibility to inform your instructor of any absence and to arrange to make up the missed work.
• Read the assigned experiment before the lab begins and bring the lab manual and graph paper.
• Laboratory reports should be prepared according to the instructions in the Physics 101 Laboratory Manual.  Your lab instructor will also discuss the format for your lab reports and the grading procedure.

1. The Virginia Children's Festival, October 1, 9-4, Town Point Park, Norfolk.  The Physics Department will bring a lot of our favorite demonstrations and explain them to children and their parents.  Come help for two hours and earn one point for the semester course grade (equivalent to 6 points on a midterm exam).
2. The Pumpkin Drop, October 25 or 27, 12:30-1:30, BAL.  The Society of Physics students will drop pumpkins from the top of BAL.  Build a device to catch a pumpkin without damaging it.  Answer some questions explaining the physics of the drop and the catcher.  One to two points extra credit (depending on the quality of the pumpkin catcher and how well you answer the questions).  Teams of up to four can participate.  
3. "Einstein and Beyond - The Magic Show", by Robert Friedhoffer. Two shows: Oct 25, 7:00 PM, Jefferson Lab, 12000 Jefferson Ave, Newport News and Oct 26, 7:00 PM, MGB 102. 20 percentage points added to the homework assignment of your choice for attending either of them.

Course syllabus (subject to change):

Week	Chap	Comment	HW Assigned	HW Due	Lab
Aug 29	1-2		1	none	Lab Intro
Sep 5	2	No class Monday	2	1	Math Review
Sep 12	3		3	2	Linear Velocity
Sep 19	4		4	3	Free Fall Acceleration
Sep 26	5		Practice Test	4	Newton's 2nd Law
Oct 3	6	Review and Test	5	none	Friction
Oct 10	7	No class Monday	6	5	Composition of Forces
Oct 17	8		7	6	Linear Momentum
Oct 24	9,10		8	7	Projectile Motion
Oct 31	22		Practice Test	8	Torque
Nov 7		Review and Test	9	none	Rotation
Nov 14	23		10	9	Potential, Current and Resistance I
Nov 21		Thanksgiving	none	none	No lab - Thanksgiving
Nov 28	24		11	10	Potential, Current and Resistance I
Dec 5	25	Review Friday	none	11	Magnetic Force

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