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 University Physics, by Young and Freedman, Twelfth Edition, (Addison Wesley, 2007.) You may use either the expanded edition or Volume 1 only. Reading assignments are keyed to this textbook. At the bookstore, the textbook should come packaged with Mastering Physics. Mastering Physics is required. If you buy a used textbook, then you must buy Mastering Physics separately at the bookstore or online at the Mastering Physics 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 5/06 Spring 2010 Keys Now Available
Course Format and Policies
Homework and Reading Schedule
Lecture Schedule
Turning Point Information
Mastering Physics Information
Recitations
Answers to Homework Problems
Test Rules
Derivations: Parallel Axis Theorem<>System Kinetic Energy
Hint for Yo-Yo Problem:Push the Trike
Math Summary:Vector Cross Product


PLACES TO GET HELP
My Office Hours Physics Festivals!
TA Office Hours
Physics Dept Tutor List Updated
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 5/11
                Final Written HW Grades Updated 5/12
                         Final MP Grades Updated 5/11
                    Final Exercise Grades Now Posted
                        Final Quiz Grades Now Posted
                       Final Exam Grades Now Posted
                     Final Overall Grades Now Posted
                       Final Histogram Now Available

Note that grades are not listed in alphabetical order

HW <> Quiz <> Exercises <> TP <> MP <> Test <> Overall

Class Average Final Overall Average Now Available
HOW TO FIGURE YOUR FINAL GRADE.


TA's
Sourabh Sinha
Lu Ouyang