Physics 218, Mechanics
Spring 2009, Dr. Ross
Sections 505-508, MWF 9:10 lecture (regular labs)
Sections 518-522, MWF 11:30 lecture (visual physics labs)
General course information:
For sections 505-508, the syllabus can be found here, and the lab schedule here.
For sections 518-522, the syllabus can be found here, while the lab schedule can be
found at the Visual Physics
site.
The text for this course is Young and Freedman University Physics, 12th
edition. Also the regular lab sections (505-508)
require the Lab Manual from the bookstores. On the other
hand the Visual Physics sections (518-522) require no lab manual, instead
using an online resource.
The 12th edition Young and Freedman text is the same as was used in the Fall semester. You need Vol. 1 of the
text, which is sold by the local bookstores. Another possibility is to buy the
non-customized Vol. 1, with a few extra chapters, or the
"complete"
hardcover edition. In the latter case the Phys 218 material is
contained
in the first half, and Phys 208 material in the second half. Note that the
specially adapted versions of the book in the local bookstores will be fine
for this course, however in case your curriculum
calls for Phys 221, or additional physics courses, you might prefer to
obtain one of the regular editions of the book -- see the note on the Fall
08
Phys 221 website.
If you plan to save the text for reference, probably a good idea for
technical majors, the non-customized versions are more durable in my
experience.
Online homework: We will use
elearning for online homework and other course
features, as detailed in the syllabus.
The elearning system is already set up. You will be required to
take the warm-up, force concept inventory, and math quizzes
before beginning the required homework, so you should log in as soon as
possible to
complete these. We will not use Mastering Physics, the online system that comes
bundled with the textbook. Thus you can purchase a
version of the text without it, or a used one, without needing to buy the
online access separately.
Homework list: See a list of the reqired homework, including problems in
elearning and the additional assigned problems, at this link.
Formula Sheet: A formula sheet will be attached to the exam. You
will not be permitted to use your own sheet or other materials on
the exam. Use the formula sheet posted here when studying for the exam so
that you are prepared to start with these equations when solving exam
problems. Here are the exam 1 formula
sheet, the exam 2 formula
sheet, the exam 3 formula
sheet, and the final exam formula sheet.
Labs and recitation: Note that the labs differ
depending upon whether you are in a regular or visual physics section--see
the links provided above.
For the regular sections (505-508), the first lab meeting will be Tuesday
Jan. 27, in the second week of classes. You should purchase the Lab Manual
before that date. For Visual Physics sections (518-522), the first lab meeting will
also
be in the second week of class. (The first week meetings originally planned
have been cancelled.) You do not need to purchase a lab manual for
Visual Physics since
it is online.
Help Desk: The physics department offers a help desk in Heldenfels room
211.
Hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 to 4, and Friday 9 to 12. The help
desk is staffed by graduate physics students knowledgeable in mechanics who
can help if you are stuck solving the homework or on a particular concept.
Other links:
The general physics 218 web-site.
Note that this site is not up to date, although it does have
a few useful links. In particular, note that the listed homework
assignments and syllabus policies are not the same as those for this
class.
Roger Freedman's web-site
(The text co-author).
Demos and interesting sites:
Exploratorium. See the
Sports Science and other exhibits.
"How Stuff
Works" pages.
Molecular expressions microscopy gallery.
Richard Feynman
lectures page.
Other science news and physics links:
PhysLINK news and reference.
Science News.
PhysicsWorld.
The Net
Advance of Physics has many links.
A Nanotechnology page.
The Amercan Physical Society
homepage.
Dr. Ross' home page.
Go to Physics department page.
TAMU college of Science,
Texas A&M University page.
All exams and lecture materials posted on this site are copright ©
1990-2009, Joseph Ross