WORKSHOP PHYSICS (PHY201, PHY202) Summer Session C 2007
INSTRUCTOR: Elwyn Bellis
PHONE: 304-696-2754
e-MAIL bellis@marshall.edu
OFFICE: Science 257, the WP Lab or Room 280/281
OFFICE HOURS: After class each day or by appointment.
TEXTS: College Physics, Serway and Faughn
DESCRIPTION OF WORKSHOP PHYSICS:
I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.
Workshop Physics is a laboratory-centered approach that abandons the traditional instructional format of separate lecture and lab sessions in favor of an activity based, computer-enhanced workshop in introductory physics where all instruction and work is done in the lab. The reason for adopting this method of teaching introductory physics is my belief that it is more important for you to learn the skills of scientific inquiry through a study of physics than simply memorizing a series of equations and facts. The role of the instructor in this course is to help you learn. It is not to simply supply you with information. In fact I prefer to help you figure out the answer to a problem rather than give you the answer. At the end of the semester I hope you will have sufficient mastery of basic concepts and skills to successfully apply them to other areas of physics and to other scientific disciplines. The course works a lot better if you develop an interest in the way things work. It is easy to write down the ideas of others without developing your own analytical skills. The course will give you proficiency in the use of computers for collecting and analyzing data, in the use of spreadsheets, graphs and modeling, and in the use of other contemporary laboratory tools such as force and motion sensors and video capture and analysis. Last, but not least, I hope you become interested in the processes of doing science, and that this will encourage you to continue your academic career in the sciences.
SPECIFIC GOALS:
The specific goals of this course are that you develop your ability to:
1. Describe both verbally, and in writing with appropriate diagrams, observed physical events or phenomena, such as the motion of dice hanging from the rear view mirror of your car (you do have these?) as you stop or speed up, or the forces acting on you as you ride up in an elevator.
2. Explain both verbally and in writing, the cause of an event or phenomenon, using established relationships (equations) between the important variables, such as why smaller objects, maybe a mouse, falls more slowly than larger object, a human. (Does it?) Or why a cell divides.
3. Carry out an investigation. Take and organize data in tables and graphs using spreadsheets, and present an analysis of that data in either written or oral form and find a mathematical expression that describes the data.
4. Predict what might happen in a given physical situation before it is demonstrated or observed, using your understanding of the principles of physics. Use the same principles to explain what you observe.
5. Discuss and write about physical phenomena, events and issues commonly encountered in our daily lives (e.g., automobile accidents and the use of air bags) using your knowledge of the principles and laws of physics.
6. Solve standard problems such as those in your textbook and other more involved problems using the principles of physics and a series of logical statements in written English and mathematics.
GRADING:
Your grade for the course will be determined by your scores on the activities and demonstrations, homework and tests, and in the following manner:
Lab notebook 10%
Lab work evaluation-Peer and instructor 5%
Quizzes and demonstrations 20%
Homework 15%
First Test 15%
Second Test 15%
Final 20%
Total 100%
LAB ACTIVITIES:
Much of your time in the lab will be spent working on group activities. As a group you will keep an experiment folder on your computer, in which you will maintain a record of all your experimental results, spreadsheets graphs etc. You may want to keep a ring binder with all the pages from the activity guide with all graphs or tables, and include any predictions and explanations of demonstrations or other class activities. At the end of each class period have your instructor initial and date the last entry of the day. If you miss a day of class you must make up the work or leave that section blank. In doing this work you should collaborate closely with your lab partners. There is much to be learned from a discussion of ideas and concepts. Since the emphasis is on gaining an understanding of concepts, you should make sure you understand the reasoning involved in a prediction or a conclusion. Do not adopt the role of a passive bystander, and do not be afraid to ask “why?” or “how do you know?” Discuss the reasoning with your lab partners until it is clear to all. If you have not had a lot of experience with computers, this course will give you the opportunity to feel comfortable using them. Do not allow a lab partner with more computer experience take over. Switch seats and mousers each class period. No one should take the mouse out of your hands. If you are the lab partner with more experience, resist the temptation to take over. We all learn more by doing than by observing, so your lab partner will learn nothing by watching you demonstrate your computer skills. However your lab partners will quickly gain the skills needed in this lab if they are given the opportunity to practice.
DEMONSTRATIONS:
Class demonstrations are done so that you can observe physical phenomena directly, as well as for your enjoyment. It is important that you observe them carefully, and through group discussion, figure out the physical principles that explain what you observed. To develop your ability to observe and explain, you will be asked to write a description and an explanation. Not all explanations will be collected for grading. The grade for demos will be part of your quiz grade.
HOMEWORK:
Homework will consist of analyzing and graphing data collected in class, reading, problem solving and a variety of other assignments. Homework will be posted on the WP web page with day’s assignment and the due date. Homework will be assigned twice a week. Homework assigned Monday will be due the beginning of class Wednesday and homework assigned Wednesday will be due the beginning of class following Monday. That will give you time to work on it the first day it is assigned and ask questions the following day. There will be points (20%) deducted each day it is late and it will not be accepted for grading if it is more than a 2 days late. Do not work on homework during class. You will need all of your class time to keep up with working through experiments and activities in the WP manual. However you can ask questions on the homework at the beginning of class. If you are absent, points will be deducted for late homework unless you have an excused absence. You can of course see me about difficulties after class. Asking questions before class on the due day is not a good time as I am usually busy checking on equipment etc needed for class. If you need to use the computers in the WP lab for a homework assignment, you may do so any time the lab is not in use. I encourage you to use the lab for working on homework or study anytime it is not in use.
TESTS:
There will be two one-hour tests and a final. Each test will be curved. For your final grade 90% or more is an "A", 80% or more a "B" etc.
Make-up policy. A make-up test will be given only under quite exceptional circumstances. If it is possible to notify me ahead of time, and you fail to do so, you will not be given a make-up test. If you miss a test, the available points will be applied to the final. For example, if you miss the first test, the final will count for 35% of your grade.
Students missing a test usually do poorly in the course.
e-MAIL:
Please use e-mail so that we can maintain good communication between you and your instructor and other students in the class. I will check my e-mail frequently and try to answer any questions and give some assistance with difficult homework questions or other assignments. If an assignment this is not clear, e-mail will provide a way of getting clarification or additional information to everyone, so you should check it before starting your homework. I will establish an e-mail list so my response to anyone’s questions will be available to you all.
ATTENDANCE:
If you are in the habit of skipping class occasionally, you should think carefully about taking this type of course. Absences create real difficulties, since practically all of the work done in the class require the participation of two or more partners, and specific pieces of equipment. Check the university excused absence policy in the online catalog, p121, at http://www.marshall.edu/ucomm/catalog/interim.htm. Six absences will reduce your grade by one letter grade, ten by two, fourteen by three, and eighteen will mean an automatic failing grade. You will have to discuss any make-up work with me since there is a good chance that the equipment needed for that activity will have been stored away. Under no circumstances should you copy data, graphs or anything else if you were not in class to do the work. If there is a good reason you cannot attend class, and you know about it ahead of time, please let me know before that class meeting. I appreciate a short e-mail to let me know what is going on. The nature of this class is such that you will do poorly if you skip class, because your grade depends to great extent on what you do in class. It is not possible to skip class and “do the reading” to make up for your absence. I will check on absences by signing your lab book at the end of each class meeting. This will also permit me to follow the progress of your group as you work through the activities. Some groups work more slowly than others do either because they work more carefully or because they waste more time. In either case those groups may have to spend additional time working in the lab beyond regular class meetings. I will work with those groups and set up a schedule so that I can be "around" when the slower groups put in the extra hours.
DIFFICULTIES:
If you have difficulty with concepts or problems ask questions in class or come and see me during my office hours. You can also ask questions by e-mail. Do not delay working on concepts that you do not understand. It will make it more difficult to grasp the concepts that follow.
If you have any questions or comments please e-mail bellis@marshall.edu