Physics in the 21st century is a vital and active field of study in its own right, leading us to new ways of thinking about the history of the universe, the structure of matter and space at high energies, new classes of materials at the nanoscale and the collective motion of everything from atoms and molecules to microorganisms and robots. Our understanding of the physical world has enabled entirely novel approaches to biology and chemistry, computing, utilization of energy resources, and medical imaging. Let's spend this year not only learning the tools we need to start our studies in physics (here in Physics 105, mechanics and thermal properties of matter), but also seeing how they go to work in these exciting contexts.
This course is primarily about the mechanical world – the world of motion and acceleration, of spinning windmills and orbiting asteroids, of energy and momentum, of car crashes and exploding nuclei. It is also about the vibrations and waves that surround us, from sound to surf, from car suspensions to the oscillating cantilevers used for nanometer-scale imaging; we will meet these last topics here briefly, then return to them in physics 213a. We will also study thermal properties of materials, and elementary thermodynamics, including ideas of heat transfer, entropy, and maximal efficiency of engines: the foundations required to understand energy generation and conservation, including wind power, hydroelectric power, solar power, geothermal power, and others.
You should expect this course to be very challenging. However, if you are willing to put in the required effort, you will find it immensely satisfying. You will learn from your fellow students, and you will teach them. You will have multiple opportunities to show me how much you understand through many assessment routes. We will work hard together, and we will have fun together. Let the physics adventure begin!
Instructors
Stephon Alexander(lecture) KINSC L102 (610) 896-2973 salexand@haverford.edu |
Scott Shelley (lab) KINSC L207 (610) 896-1310 sshelley@haverford.edu |
Walter Smith (lab) KINSC L110 (610) 896-1332 wsmith@haverford.edu |
Feedback, getting & staying in touch
Electronic mail is always welcome. I will occasionally send you email and announcements. As a participant in this course, you are required to check your e-mail daily for corrections about problem sets, etc.
A good way to get together is to arrange (after class) a mutually agreeable time. Please do not hesitate to contact me; no question or topic is too small.
If you have concerns about the course or ideas about how to make it better, you should let me know immediately, either in person or by e-mail. Don't wait!
• Physics for Scientists & Engineers, 3rd Ed., by Wolfson & Pasachoff (We still like this book best as a core text on this topic. While this book just went out of print, we have stockpiled copies in the book store and you can find additional copies online, and probably for less than new ones!)
• Written work will be assigned weekly, and is due at the start of class on the assigned date, ordinarily the Friday of the week. There will be a physics “clinic” staffed with helpful physics majors on the evening before the assignment is due. However, you are expected to make a serious attempt at each of the problems on your own before coming to the clinic. There will also be assigned reading to prepare you for class discussion.
• There will be two midterm exams plus a cumulative self-scheduled final exam.
| Midterm 1 | 15% |
| Midterm 2 | 15% |
| Final | 20% |
| Homework | 25% |
| Laboratory | 25% |
• The following late penalties will be in effect for
homework. You are permitted two
1-week extensions without any penalty during the semester when you are
stressed out with work. Just email me (SAK) or turn in a
sheet of paper indicating that you are giving yourself a "free
extension." The two extensions must
be used for separate problem sets; they cannot be combined to get a two-week
extension on one problem set. Save them
for when you really need them. Other
than these extensions, work turned in late will be reduced by 15% (for up to one week late) and 30% (for over one week late) work, unless an
extension is granted via a Dean's permission.
As in most physics classes, these
weekly assignments are one of the central learning experiences of the course,
and so your performance on these receives a heavy weight in the overall course
grade. Please be diligent about starting
on the homework early each week, and getting it in on time.
• Exams must be turned in not later than the stated times,
except by a Dean's permission.
We value Haverford's honor code for the integrity it fosters
and the pedagogical flexibility it affords.
The important guiding principle of academic honesty is that you must
never represent the work of others as your own.
The following guidelines should govern your behavior in the course;
please request clarification if you find yourself in any doubtful situations.
• You may seek assistance from the instructor or from your fellow students in doing the weekly assigned exercises and preparing for class discussions. You may also work together with other members of the class on these assignments and this is often quite beneficial. For your own good, avoid situations in which you are either contributing either too much or too little to such collaborations. Just copying someone else's work is clearly a representation of another student's work as your own and is a violation of the Code. Some “individual problems” will be assigned on each problem set; you may consult with the instructor as needed for these, but you may not consult anyone else.
• Solutions to the written exercises will be made available on
the due date. (If you are using one of your free extensions, you should not consult
the solutions until after you have turned in your assignment.)
• All exams must be entirely your own work. Detailed instructions will be given on the exams themselves and discussed in advance. No collaboration of any sort is allowed once you start an exam. The allowed time (a single contiguous block) must be strictly observed.
• Honor code guidelines for the lab are contained in the lab manual.
The following suggestions are based on the experience of previous students:
Review your class notes between lectures, and come prepared to ask questions. Annotate your class notes as you read them.
Stay up to date on the reading; preferably read the assigned material twice; for example, once before the relevant lecture, and once after.
Read with pen in hand to work out things described only briefly in the text or lecture. Ask yourself "what is the main point of each section", and answer the question.
When you take notes in class, don't just write down equations! Qualitative information is often essential!
You need to allocate about 7 hours for study and homework per week, plus the time you need for class, labs, and writing lab reports.
When you’re studying for an exam, review the solutions to problems and previous exams. Rather than simply re-reading all of the assigned chapters, first work some additional problems (the answers for the odd ones in the back of the book). This will give you guidance about the sections you really need to re-read.
Remember that if the material is a new or unfamiliar for you, learning will take time, just as learning a new language takes time Try not to become discouraged if the going is rough at times, and don't prejudge your ability to master the material.