121 Syllabus
PHY-121 is the first part of a three-semester sequence in introductory physics
offered to engineering and other science and pre-professional majors.
The prerequisite for PHY-121 is MAT-270. A working
familiarity with basic differential and integral calculus will be assumed.
PHY-121 covers the subject of Newtonian mechanics including kinematics (the
description of motion), and dynamics (the relation of motion to force and mass).
Among the most important topics are Newton's Laws of Motion and the
conservation of momentum and energy. Other topics are rotational kinematics
and dynamics, Newtonian gravitation, and simple harmonic motion. A detailed
list of topics can be found on the
lecture schedule which accompanies this syllabus.
The textbook is Physics for Scientists and Engineers, by Serway and Jewett,
Eighth Edition, (Brooks/Cole, 2010.) You may use either the etext, the hybrid edition, the expanded edition, or volume 1 only.
Reading assignments are keyed
to this textbook. At the bookstore, the textbook should come packaged with
WebAssign. Enhanced WebAssign is required.
If you buy a used textbook, then you must buy Enhanced WebAssign separately at
the bookstore or online at the WebAssign web site. Also
required is a Turning Point
transmitter (available at the bookstore) or Turning Point ResponseWare software.
The text of the syllabus is also available as a
pdf file.
Course Updates 12/04 Notes on Old Test 4
Course Format and Policies
Homework and Reading Schedule
Lecture Schedule
Turning Point Information
WebAssign Information Tips
Recitations
Answers to Homework Problems Coming Soon
Test Rules
Equation Sheet
Text: Newton's Third Law<>Linear Momentum<>Gravity
Derivations:
Parallel Axis Theorem<>System Kinetic Energy
Hint for Yo-Yo Problem:Push the Trike
Links Used in Lecture
Math Summary:Dot Product and Cross Product of Vectors
Taylor Expansion
PLACES TO GET HELP
My Office Hours Physics Festivals!
TA Office Hours
Physics Dept Tutor List
Help Study Schedule
Engineering Tutor Center
Student Success Center
ActivPhysics Y&F's Interactive Web Site
Textbook Sites - practice tests and more
Online Tutorials - interactive instruction
GRADES: Final TP Grades Updated 12/15
Final Quiz Grades Now Posted
Final Exercise Grades Updated 12/15
Final Exam Grades Now Posted
Final Overall Average Now Posted
Final Histogram Now Available
Note that grades are not listed in alphabetical order
Quiz <>
Exercises <>
TP <>
Test <>
Overall
Class Average Final Overall Average Now Posted
HOW TO FIGURE YOUR FINAL GRADE.