SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE Midcoast Campus, Brunswick, Maine 04011 Title: College Physics I Catalog Number: PHYS 150 BN Credit Hours: 4 with required lab Total Contact Hours: 45/30 Instructor: Chance Stevens-Griffeth Email: cstevensgriffeth@smccme.edu Office: 243 MATEC, Midcoast Campus Office Hours: Before Class or by Appt Phone: (207) 837-7746 Course Syllabus College Physics I Course Description: The first in a two semester series, this course represents a non-calculus, but rigorously algebraic approach to analysis of the concepts and mathematical relationships of Newtonian mechanics. Conceptual questions and activities along with algebraic and trigonometric based mathematical problems are designed to emphasize physical concepts as applied to the industrial/technical fields and everyday life experiences. Topics include Measurement and Problem Solving, Kinematics in one and two dimensions, Dynamics and Newton s Laws, Work and Energy, Linear Momentum and Collisions, Circular Motion and Gravitation, Rotational Motion and Equilibrium. Emphasis will be placed on understanding natural phenomena and solving numerical problems in both Metric (SI) and British Engineering (US) systems of units. Weekly laboratory experiments assist the student develop a feel for realistic measurements and meaningful calculations in applied problem solving. Prerequisite: MATH 140 or MATH 145 Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: 1. Apply both the US Customary (English) and SI (Metric) systems for measurements. 2. Convert measurements using dimensional analysis. 3. Solve problems with measurements and express the results with the correct significant digits and units. 4. Analyze problems using the problem-solving and scientific-method. 5. Distinguish between a vector and scalar quantity. 6. Differentiate between distance and displacement, speed and velocity, and acceleration. 7. Add vectors both graphically and with right-triangle trigonometry. 8. Solve kinematics problems in both one and two-dimensions. 9. State Newton s Laws of Motion and apply to everyday situations. 10. Solve concurrent force problems using force/free body diagrams. 11. Distinguish between weight, mass, and g forces. 12. Examine the common and technical definitions of work, power, and energy. 13. Solve problems using the law of conservation of mechanical energy. 14. Calculate the efficiency and mechanical advantage of simple machines. 15. Use impulse and momentum in describing motion. 16. State the law of conservation of momentum and apply to collision/explosion problems. 17. Distinguish between rectilinear, uniform circular and accelerated rotational motion. 18. Express the conditions of equilibrium using net force and torque concepts. 19. Solve non concurrent force problems using moment of inertia and angular acceleration. 20. Compare and contrast translational energy/momentum to rotational energy/momentum.
Learning Outcome Competences: Critical Thinking: Upon completion of this course a student will be able to evaluate information to make educated decisions based on the fusion of experience, reason and training. 1. A student can interpret information logically by selecting and organizing relevant facts and opinions and identifying the relationships among them. 2. A student can analyze an issue or problem by separating it into it component parts and investigating the relationship of the parts to the whole. 3. A student can synthesize information by combining ideas from multiple sources to come to an independent conclusion. 4. A student can evaluate information by making informed judgments as to whether the information is accurate, reliable or useful. 5. A student can apply theory to practice. Quantitative Methods: Upon completion of this course a student will be able to logically analyze and solve quantitative problems. 1. Recognize problems that can be solved by quantitative methods. 2. Identify the quantitative components of a problem. 3. Select an appropriate mathematical method to solve a problem 4. Demonstrate accurate computational and/or algebraic skills to solve a problem. 5. Estimate reasonableness of answers to problems. 6. Record data accurately using appropriate methods, tools, and technology. 7. Interpret information presented in charts and graphs 8. Use measurement concepts and correct labels to solve problems 9. Convert between English and Metric units. Science and Technology: Upon completion of this course a student will be able to apply the Scientific Method and employ the technological skills necessary to function effectively in an increasingly complex world.
Topical Outline of Instruction Week 1 Measurement and Problem Solving Chapter 1 Lab: Measurements and Formulas Week 2 Distance vs Displacement, Speed vs Velocity, Acceleration Chapter 2.1-2.3 Lab: Velocity and Acceleration on the Racetrack Week 3 Kinematic Equations and Free Fall Chapter 2.4-2.5 Lab: Acceleration of Gravity Week 4 Vector Analysis and 2-Dimensional Motion Chapter 3.1-3.2 Lab: Vector Resultants with Force Table Week 5 Projectile Motion Chapter 3.3 Lab: Mini Launchers with Horizontal and Angle Launch Week 6 More Projectiles and Review Lab: EXAM 1 Chapters 1, 2, and 3 Week 7 Newton s Laws of Motion Chapter 4.1 4.4 Lab: Newton Laws of Motion Week 8 Free body diagrams, translation equilibrium, and friction Chapter 4.5-4.6 Lab: Measuring Coefficients of Friction Week 9 Work and Energy Chapter 5.1,5.3-4 Lab: Simple Machines Week 10 Conservation of Energy; Power; Mech. Advantage & Efficiency Chapter 5.5, 5.6 Lab: Conservation of Energy Week 11 Impulse and Momentum Chapter 6.1 6.3 Lab: 1 and 2 Dimensional Collisions Week 12 Center of Mass; Elastic and Inelastic Collisions Chapter 6.4 6.6 Lab: EXAM 2 Chapters 4,5 and 6 Week 13 Angular speed, velocity, and acceleration Chapter 7.1 7.4 Lab: Centripetal and Centrifugal Forces Week 14 Torque and Rotational Equilibrium Chapter 8.1, 8.2 Lab: Torque and Equilibrium Week 15 Rotational Dynamics, Energy, Momentum Chapter 8.3 8.5 Lab: Rotational Motion Week 16 Wrap up Rotation and Review Lab: EXAM 3 Selected sections of Chapters 7 and 8
Course Requirements This course meets for three 1 hour or two 1.5 hour lecture/demonstration/problems solving sessions and one 2 hour laboratory session each week. Attendance is expected and required at all sessions unless a valid reason, satisfactory to the instructor, is provided. Individual instructors will state their particular specification beyond school policy which may mean providing supporting documentation for the absence. It is always the students responsibility to make up and complete missed coursework on their own time and due upon their return. Excessive absences will result at the instructor s discretion in an administrative failure. Both class and lab work will require a reasonable facility in the use of basic algebra and right triangle trigonometry. Students not proficient in mathematics should plan to seek out additional assistance beyond class time through the Academic Achievement Center, Math Dept. and Physical Science Dept. help sessions, instructor s office hours or a private tutor. Student Evaluation and Grading Homework in the form of reading, questions, and problems is assigned weekly and reasonable effort is expected prior to the next class. A notebook check or pop quiz can happen at any time. Laboratory reports are due at the beginning of the next lab period following the previous week s experiments. Late reports will have points deducted. There will be 3 major exams over the course of the semester, usually after completion of two or three text chapters. All exams are announced well in advance and consist of multiple choice concept questions and mathematical problem solving. The final course grade will be computed as follows: Exam Average 60% Laboratory 20% Attendance, Homework, Quizzes and Effort 20% Text, Tools, and/or Supplies: COLLEGE PHYSICS by Wilson, Buffa, and Lou, 7 th edition, Pearson / Prentice-Hall, 2010 with Student Study Guide (required) Notebook (required, preferably loose leaf or spiral and dedicated to physics) Scientific calculator (required) End-of-Course Evaluation In order to gain access to final course grades, students must complete evaluations for each course attended at SMCC. Evaluations are submitted online and can be accessed through the student portal site. Students can access the course evaluation report beginning two weeks before the end of classes. The deadline for submission of evaluations occurs 24 hours after the last day of classes each semester. Instructors will announce when the online course evaluation is available.
ADA Syllabus Statement Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer. For more information, please call 207-741-5798. If you have a disabling condition and wish to request accommodations in order to have reasonable access to the programs and services offered by SMCC, you must register with the Disability Services Coordinator, Sandra Lynham, who can be reached at 741-5923. Further information about services for students with disabilities and the accommodation process is available upon request at this number. Course policies about online testing are modified to suit each individual s accommodations. SMCC Pay-for-Print Policy Students can print 150 pages per semester free of charge. If you print over 150 pages, you will be charged 10 cents per page to your student billing account for tuition and fees. Leftover pages from each semester will not be rolled over to the following semester. The College s pay-for-print system monitors printing on all public printers (i.e. those in general access labs, library printers, the Academic Achievement Center, Noisy Lounge and technology labs). Each time you log-in to the system, the print station displays the remaining print quota. Once the printing quota has been exceeded, users will be charged $ 0.10 per page or $.05 per side if the printer prints on both sides on their student accounts on a monthly basis. Color printouts will be charged at 11 page units. This means each color printout will count as 11 pages toward the quota and will cost $1.10. Add-Drop Policy Students who drop a course during the one-week add/drop period in the fall and spring semesters and the first three days of summer sessions receive a 100% refund of the tuition and associated fees for that course. Please note any course that meets for less than the traditional semester length, i.e., 15 weeks, has a pro-rated add/drop period. There is no refund for non-attendance. Withdrawal Policy A student may withdraw from a course only during the semester in which s/he is registered for that course. The withdrawal period is the second through twelfth week of the fall and spring semesters and the second through ninth week of twelve-week summer courses. This period is pro-rated for shorter-length courses. To withdraw from a course, a student must complete and submit the appropriate course withdrawal form, available at the Enrollment Service Center (no phone calls, please). The designation W will appear on the transcript after a student has officially withdrawn. A course withdrawal is an uncompleted course and may adversely affect financial aid eligibility. Failure to attend or ceasing to attend class does not constitute withdrawal from the course. There is no refund associated with a withdrawal. Plagiarism Statement If an instructor suspects that a student has knowingly committed a violation defined in the Maine Community College System Policy on Student Grade Appeals and Academic Misconduct, the instructor has the authority to review the alleged misconduct and determine the grade that the student should receive for the assignment and the course. The instructor may assign a failing grade for the assignment or course and may require the student to complete additional work for the course. The instructor may consult with the department chair and/or the College s chief academic officer prior to making such decisions. If a student seeks to challenge an instructor s determination, the student should submit a grade appeal. Grade appeal forms are available in the Advising Office on the South Portland Campus or in the administrative offices in the Learning Commons on the Midcoast Campus. An instructor may also refer the matter to the College s disciplinary officer for review under the procedures of the MCCS Student Code of Conduct.