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Essentials of Physics: PHYS 101
Spring, 2007
Instructor: Dr. Dean Livelybrooks E-mail: dlivelyb_at_uoregon; 346-5855 Office: 225 Willamette Hall Office hours: U10:00, H14:00
TAs: Anthony Clark, Xiaokun Shu 216 Will, aclark_at_uoregon, 6-4770 355 Will, xshu_at_uoregon, 6-5192 |
PHYS 101 Web Page can be found at: http://hendrix2.uoregon.edu/~dlivelyb/phys101/home.html
COURSE OVERVIEW
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cientific endeavor comprises our efforts to understand how things work, and to develop a compact and universally portable set of rules that describe all observable processes. Some times these rules can be used to predict future events-- when the next lunar eclipse is to occur, for example. These rules also guide our every day efforts to design our world-- how to build a better bicycle that reduces air resistance on the rider. Occasionally we observe an unexpected event and are left scrambling to come up with an explanationÉ the microwave oven was invented when a scientist left his cold cup of coffee next to a klystron and found that it was warm after microwaves were generated.
Scientists attempt to improve our understanding of how things work by systematically observing and identifying underlying processes. This involves determining important variables, working out relationships between them by forming hypothetical relationships (rules) and testing them via experiment. For example, the relationship between an object's mass, its acceleration and the net force applied to it (the important variables) can be guessed at and then tested by applying known forces on objects with measured masses. Many guessed at relationships fail to pass experimental testing. Some times experimentation ends up refining our understanding of these relationships and leads to the development of a more comprehensive rule. Finally, connecting these individual rules together in a sensible way leads to a set of laws which appear to govern the workings of our complete environment.
The builders of Stonehedge incorporated an understanding of astronomical observations into the structure to keep track of seasons. It is speculated that Stonehedge had great religious significance to these people, but some of the scientific process was evidently incorporated into their religion. In general, science differs from religion in that all laws must be experimentally testable. In Essentials of Physics we will focus on understanding how things work from a conceptual point of view, but we will also spend a great deal of time observing, formulating hypotheses and testing them. Science is an on-going process that anyone can do! To do is to understand.
Essentials of physics - PHYS 101: COURSE INFORMATION
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Instructor: |
Dr. Dean Livelybrooks Office: 225 Willamette Phone: 346-5855 E-mail: dlivelyb_at_uoregon.edu Office Hours: U10:00, H14:00 |
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TA: |
Anthony Clark Xiaokun Shu 216 Will., 6-4770 355 Will., 6-5192 aclark_at_uoregon xshu@uoregon.edu |
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Meeting Times |
2-hour Lecture is 4-5:50pm Wednesday in Rm. 110 Willamette. Labs meet for 2 hours each week in Rm. 17 Willamette on either:
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Learning Objectives: |
Develop conceptual understanding of certain physics principles including:
Develop an understanding of science as a process involving observation, hypothesis construction, experimentation & hypothesis refinement. |
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Textbook |
Conceptual Physics, 9th Edition (or 10th Edition) by Paul Hewitt. This book is required. |
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Web Page |
http://hendrix2.uoregon.edu/~dlivelyb/phys101/home.html |
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Class Work |
Course work comprises:
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Exams |
Two exams will be given during the term. These will focus on testing your understanding of physics concepts. Total of exams counts for 30% of the course grade. |
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Final Exam |
The final exam for this class will be given on Thursday, June 14th at 3:15 pm in 15 Pacific. |
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Grading Summary |
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Course Outline: Essentials of Physics- PHYS 101 (for Hewitt 9th Edition)
Go to here for Course Outline for Hewitt, 10th Edition.