PHYS 252 SYLLABUS

Dr. Johnny B. Holmes

Spring, 2008

Note for Spring 2008 only:  due to the renovation of the Science building, the last regular class day for this course will be on Friday, April 18 rather than Monday, April 28.  The final exam will be scheduled during the regular final exam times.  To make up for four lost classes, class time will run from 11:00-11:55 AM on MWF.

Basics (course description, goals, topics, grading, etc.)

Collected (written) Homework (introduction, format, assignments, example)

Computer Homework (introduction, assignments, download programs)

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Basics

Description, goals, topics

Grading

Tentative Test Schedule

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Description, goals, topics

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: PHYS 252 Physics III
A third course in physics covering geometrical optics, interference, diffraction, quantum theory, waves and particles, atomic physics, special relativity, radioactivity, and nuclear physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 251.

TEXT: PHYSICS for Scientists and Engineers / with Modern Physics, any edition, by Serway & Jewett

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Johnny B. Holmes, Professor of Physics; office: S113; phone 321-3448

GOALS: The course is designed to:

  1. Teach the fundamental aspects of light and radiation
    1. since light is a very important tool in learning about our world;
    2. since light and radiations are important components in our technological civilization;
    3. for use in future courses;
    4. to provide a fund of concepts, images, and metaphors that can be utilized to imagine how other things in the world might work; and
    5. to give you an idea of the size of some quantities (e.g., size of atom, size of nucleus, energy of one photon).
    6. to aid you in your attempt to find your place in the natural world as well as to aid you in your attempt to become an intelligent and responsible citizen.
  2. Demonstrate how physical phenomena can be organized and described both qualitatively and quantitatively by theory.
  3. Reinforce the application of analytical reasoning.

PREREQUISITES BY TOPIC:

  1. Basic algebra and trigonometry
  2. Definition of the derivative and basic rules of differentiation
  3. Definition of the integral and basic rules of integration
  4. Newton's laws of motion and gravity
  5. Concepts of kinetic and potential energy, and law of conservation of energy.
  6. Basic laws of electricity & magnetism.
  7. Basic idea of waves.

TOPICS:

  1. Geometrical optics: reflection, refraction, thin lenses. (6 classes)
  2. Physical optics: interference, diffraction, polarization. (6 classes)
  3. Quantum theory: blackbody radiation, photoelectric effect, Bohr theory, Schroedinger's equation, particles & waves (7 classes)
  4. Special relativity: time dilation, length contraction, mass and energy relations. (7 classes)
  5. Nuclear physics: radioactive decays, half life, activity, radiation doses; fission, fusion, nuclear reactors. (8 classes)

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GRADING: grades (each based on 100 points) description

A: 93 to 100; B: 82 to ­93; C: 70 to ­82; D: 65 to­70; F: 0­ to 65.

(note: a 81.9 is in the C range, not in the B!)


The tests will come essentially from the homework (both collected and uncollected - see the study guide), the computer assignments, and material covered in class. The final exam will come essentially from the five previous tests.

The course emphasizes problem solving rather than memorization. You will be permitted to bring in one 81/2" x 11" sheet of paper with whatever you wish on one side for each test. You may bring in two sheets (or one sheet both sides) for the final exam. However, the information on it must be in your own handwriting. No duplicated material will be permitted. Calculators are permitted, and even recommended.

ABSENCES:
You are expected to attend class since important concepts will be discussed in ways the text will complement but not duplicate. If you have more than three absences I will not drop your lowest test score as mentioned above. If you miss a test, then you may request a make-up test. If I grant the request, a 10% penalty will be imposed. (If you have less than five absences you may drop this test from your average.) However, if you know you will miss a test, you may arrange to take the test early with no penalty. I do need at least 24 hours notice so that I have time to prepare the test.

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TENTATIVE TEST DATES:

Jan. 23

Wed.

Geometrical optics

Feb. 8

Fri.

Physical optics

Feb. 27

Wed.

Quantum Theory

Mar. 28

Fri.

Special Relativity

Apr. 18

Fri.

Radioactivity & Nuclear Physics

TBA

 

Final Exam (comprehensive)

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COLLECTED HOMEWORK

Introduction

Format

Assignments

An Example

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Introduction

The purpose of the collected homework is two­fold: (1) to enhance your problem solving skills; and (2) to enhance your communication skills.

You must get at least a 65% on the collected homework to pass the course!

The collected homework (which counts as one of your nine [or ten] grades) consists of a set of 9 problems of which one problem will be due most every Wednesday (see schedule below). Each problem will be worth 11 points giving a total of 9 x 11 = 99 points. If you get the required 64 points (or more), I will add a point to your grade to make the homework grade be based on 100 (like all the others).

If you do not turn in the problem by the due date, you may turn it in before the last day of class but there will be a late penalty of 2 points.

If minor errors (e.g., dumb algebra mistake, incomplete units, occasional grammar error) are detected, points will be subtracted. If major errors are detected (e.g., few if any units, unclear diagram, start with specialized equations rather than basic equations), the problem will be marked REDO and no credit will be awarded unless it is redone in an acceptable manner and resubmitted by the last class (on May 4). Problems will normally be returned to you at the next class so that you have time to correct the major errors. If you get any grade less than 9 on any problem, you may re-submit that problem before the last class for up to 9 points credit.

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Format for regular collected homework:


The collected homework must be done according to the following format: [BE SURE TO NUMBER EACH OF THE SEVEN STEPS FOR EACH PROBLEM.]

1) I want to and I can: State this at the beginning of the problem. Questions you should ask yourself to confirm this attitude include: Do I want to pass the course? Do I want to learn something? Do I want to see how well I know something and understand the concepts? Have I read the chapter? Have I reviewed my notes from class? Am I willing to seek help?

2) Define the situation:

  1. State what you are given (for each piece of information define a symbol and then set that symbol equal to the value you are given).
  2. Draw a diagram and put your knowns and unknowns on the diagram. I consider this VERY IMPORTANT!

3) State the objective:

  1. State what you are looking for (use a symbol or symbols that will be found in the equations you will use and define those symbols).
  2. State what units the quantity or quantities should have.

4) Explore the options:

  1. State the basic equations or principles (by name only) that could be used. Note: only definitions or equations on the study guide are allowed.
  2. State any other way you might accomplish the objective.

5) Plan your method of attack: Outline the procedure you intend to follow. Write down only the major equations to be used. Do not include all the individual steps that it will take.

6) Show the algebra (or trig or calculus) work to solve the problem. Be sure to show units in your calculations!

7) Look back:

  1. State your answer with the appropriate units.
  2. Check your units to see if they match those you listed in part 3b above.
  3. Compare your answer to known benchmarks whenever possible.

If there is more than one part to the problem, do the above for each part. Sometimes the problem will have parts a,b,c that actually involve finding different quantities in the same problem, and sometimes the parts a,b,c will actually be different problems. It is up to you to distinguish the two cases!

Be sure your homework is neat and legible. Points may be taken off or the homework may not even be accepted if the work is not neat and easily legible!

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The Assignments:

NUM

day

date

problem

*

NUM

day

date

problem

1

Fri

Jan. 11

S-03

*

6

Wed

Mar. 12

S-52

2

Wed

Jan. 16

S-10

*

7

Wed

Mar. 19

S-64

 

Wed

Jan. 23

none

*

 

Wed

Mar. 26

none

3

Wed

Jan. 30

S-23

*

8

Wed

Apr. 02

S-73

 

Wed

Feb. 06

none

*

9

Wed

Apr. 09

S-80

4

Wed

Feb. 13

S-35

*

 

Wed

Apr. 16

none

5

Wed

Feb. 20

S-41

*

 

 

 

 

 

Wed

Feb. 27

none

*

 

 

 

 

[S­ indicates a letter problem from the study guides.] Alternative problems may be assigned in class if the pace of the class does not match the one anticipated.

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SAMPLE COLLECTED HOMEWORK PROBLEM

1) I want to and I can.

2) Define the situation:

  1. Given: length of person, yperson = 6 ft; mirror.
  2. Diagram:

diagram

3) State the Objective:

  1. Looking for useful length of mirror, yuseful
  2. Units: length should have units of feet.

4) Explore the Options:

  1. Equations: qincident = qreflected (law of reflection) Eq. (1)
    tan q = opposite/adjacent (trig def.) Eq. (2)
    yfloor + ytop = yperson (def. from diagram) Eq. (3)
  2. Other ways: obtain a long mirror and have someone mark on the mirror where you see your shoes and where on the mirror you see the top of your head.

5) Plan the method of attack:
Draw lines from eyes to mirror and back to shoes such that qincident = qreflected. Find position on mirror where ray of light from shoes (on the floor) strikes on way to eye; repeat procedure for top of head. Measure distance between these two points. (Any portion of mirror below the first point or above the second point is not useful for present purposes.)

6) Take action:

  1. draw lines from eye to mirror and from mirror to shoes;
  2. identify qincident and qreflected; note that qincident = qreflected;
  3. extend normal line used to specify q's to create two triangles;
  4. from diagram, note that since qincident = qreflected (Eq. 1) that
    tan qincident = tan qreflected ; therefore y1 /x = y2 /x (using Eq. 2);
  5. therefore, y1 = y2; and since y1 + y2 = yfloor , y2 = 1/2 yfloor;
  6. the same procedure can be used for the distance needed for the top of the head;
  7. therefore, yuseful = 1/2 yperson = 1/2 6 ft = 3 ft.

7) Look back:

  1. Answer: yuseful = 1/2 yperson = 3 ft.
  2. Units are in feet which corresponds to 3b.
  3. The useful length depends on the height of the person which is reasonable.
  4. Note: the useful length does NOT depend on the distance (x) from the object to the mirror. Is this correct? If this surprises you, check it out for yourself to see if you or the theory is correct!

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COMPUTER ASSIGNMENTS

Introduction (purpose, how to get and use the programs)

Assignments

download programs (this takes you to another site)

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Introduction to Computer Homework Assignments

The purpose of the computer assignments is two­fold: (1) to give you (graded) practice applying the concepts taught in class (with immediate feedback as to whether you are correct or not), and (2) to encourage you to be accurate in your calculations (no partial credit given for wrong answers ­ instead a chance to do the whole set again [but with different numbers]).

The computer homework set, which will count as two of your ten grades, consists of 13 separate computer programs (schedule is on the next page).

To do any of the programs

  1. Go to any pc that has an internet connection, or take a memory device to your instructor.
    1. From an internet connected pc, you may download the programs from the net: download , and do them on your own computer.
    2. If you have obtained a copy of the programs on your own memory device, then place the device in drive d (or e) and press the START button, then choose RUN, and type d:\pv4 and press Enter. (For later volumes, replace the 4 in the pv4 with the appropriate volume number.)
  2. After you start the programs, the computer will ask you to verify the disk and directory that the answers will be written to. For your own device, make sure that destination is d:\ (or e:\ if you put the device into drive e). If you want, you may e-mail the responses by attaching the file: STRES.DAT to an e-mail message. NOTE: You may copy the programs to your hard drive and run them that way rather than from the memory device. You can also choose to store your answer file on your hard drive - simply choose the appropriate directory on that first message when the program begins to run. You will need to either e-mail the response file (called STRES.DAT) to me or you will have to copy that file to your memory device and bring it to me that way, so be sure to keep track of where this file is located.
  3. Enter your course number [PHYS 252, choice e], then your instructor [Dr. Holmes, choice h], then your section [A, choice a], then enter your name: Last First (use no commas). The computer will then ask you to verify your course and name - if it is correct as displayed, simply press return; if not, re-enter in the course or name.
  4. The computer will then display the menu of programs on the volume you have chosen. Simply type in the number of the program you wish to run and then press Enter to confirm your choice. From here on out, simply follow the directions on the screen.
  5. How I read your responses:  You will have to submit the student response file (STRES.DAT) either on a memory device or by e-mail attachment (send e-mail to jholmes@cbu.edu) by the due date so that I can read your responses and give you the appropriate credit. Here is a link to some instructions for e-mailing computer homework response file to me.
  6. I will indicate to you your current computer score on your written homework and on your tests when I hand these back to you. There will be a CH followed by a number on the written homework or test to indicate your computer homework score. If you attach the student response file to an e-mail message, I will send a return e-mail message confirming my receipt and your scores.

Each of the programs asks questions or allows you to do certain things. Your answers or results are recorded on the diskette as you do them. This allows me to grade your computer homework. Each assignment may be performed as often as you like. I will only count your best effort, so feel free to do it over and over until you get it perfect. The due date indicates when it should be completed if you are to remain on schedule and wish full credit. If you do the assignment after the due date, you will get 80% credit.

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Schedule of Computer Assignments

NUM

Program

due date

Vol-Prog

points

1.

Waves & Doppler

W 1/9

4-5

10

2.

Snell's law

M 1/14

5-1

20

3.

Thin Lenses

F 1/18

5-2

20

.

test #1 on W 1/23

.

.

.

4.

Young Double Slit

F 2/1

5-3

10

5.

Resolution

W 2/6

5-4

20

.

test #2 on F 2/8

.

.

.

6.

Photons

F 2/15

5-5

20

 

Total for CH1:

 

 

100

7.

Hydrogen Atom

F 2/22

5-6

20

8.

Laser

M 2/25

5-7

10

.

test #3 on F 2/27

.

.

.

9.

Relativity 1

M 3/17

6-1

20

10.

Relativity 2

W 3/26

6-2

20

.

Test #4 on F 3/28

.

.

.

11.

Statistics

F 4/4

6-3

10

12.

Half Life

F 4/11

6-4

10

13.

Nuclear Decay

W 4/16

6-5

10

.

Test #5 on F 4/18

.

.

.

.

Total for CH2:

.

.

100

NOTE: BONUS - If you get 100/100 on the first and/or the second computer assignments, 10 points will be added to your score giving you 110 points for this grade.

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