Catalog description

A calculus-based introduction to the classical mechanics of compact and extended bodies, fluids and solids and related phenomena, including oscillations, waves and sound. First part of a two-semester survey of classical physics.

Students who passed a high school calculus course that included integrals may be allowed to enroll in Phys 221. Contact the department for more information.

3 credit hours

Corequisitites

Phys 221: Lab Physics for Science & Engineering I

One-Way Corequisites

Math 262: Unified Calculus & Analytic Geometry II

Where and when

Required course materials

Textbook

We will make use of open-source resources from OpenStax at Rice University. The textbook for this class is available for free online in a variety of formats, including html, pdf, Apple iBooks, and Amazon Kindle. If you prefer, you can purchase a print version from OpenStax via Amazon.com. If you do choose to buy from Amazon, be sure to use the link on the textbook page at openstax.org to ensure that you get the official OpenStax print version. (Simple printouts sold by third parties on Amazon are not verifiable and not as high-quality.)

Expert TA

Weekly assignments for this course must be submitted through the Expert TA online homework system. All students are required to sign up for an account via this registration link. Be sure to provide your student ID and university email address so that your homework scores are properly associated with the correct student.

Top Hat

We will be using the Top Hat classroom response system. You will be able to submit answers to in-class questions using Apple or Android smartphones and tablets, laptops, or through text message.

You can visit the Top Hat Overview within the Top Hat Success Center which outlines how you will register for a Top Hat account, as well as providing a brief overview to get you up and running on the system.

An email invitation should have been sent to you by email (to your go.olemiss.edu address), but if you didn’t receive this email, you can register by simply visiting our Top Hat course website. Note: our course “Join Code” is 013116.

Top Hat will require a paid subscription, and a full breakdown of all subscription options available can be found here. If you’re undecided about this course, you are welcome to hold off on paying and to take advantage of the grace period offered at the beginning of the semester.

If at any time you require assistance with Top Hat, please contact their Support Team directly by way of email (support@tophat.com), the in-app support button, or by calling 1-888-663-5491.

Grading scheme

The course grade will be based on the cumulative points earned from three tests, weekly assignments, in-class response questions, and a final exam, weighted as follows.

The numerical score (out of 100) will be converted to a letter grade with a corresponding grade point value, following the UM +/– grading system adopted in Fall 2011. The conversion is carried out by matching to the ranges shown in the table below.

In-class tests — Tentative test dates are listed on this syllabus. Any changes to these dates will be announced in class and posted on the class web site; students will be given at least one week’s notice. No make-up tests will be given except in cases of verified emergencies. The material students are responsible for roughly corresponds to the following chapters of the textbook: first in-class test (ch. 1–4); second (ch. 5–8); third (ch. 9–12).

Homework — Weekly assignments are to be carried out online using the Expert TA system. Students are responsible for setting up an account and for keeping track of homework deadlines. No extensions will be given. Late assignments will simply be penalized 10% per day. Students will be afforded one drop grade.

Response questions — I will often pose questions during class to evaluate students’ comprehension of lecture material or to test whether they have completed assigned readings from the textbook. Students are expected to respond via the Top Hat mobile app or website. Answers to the response questions count 5% toward the final grade, 2.5% for participation and 2.5% for correctness.

Topics from University Physics to be covered

Lectures 1–6:

Lectures 7–12:

Lectures 13–18:

Lectures 19–25:

Extra material, time permitting:

Learning objectives

Students will learn the foundational concepts of physics and demonstrate proficiency in the standard problem-solving techniques of elementary classical mechanics. At the end of this course, students should be able to …

• articulate the big ideas from University Physics (Volume 1) and how they relate to one another;

• translate a verbal description of a physical problem in classical mechanics into the corresponding mathematical formulation;

• sketch, or otherwise visualize, the physical setup of a problem;

• find and apply a problem-solving technique that is appropriate to a particular problem—even in novel contexts where the problem does not map directly onto those in the textbook;

• justify their approach to a particular physics problem and the reasonableness of a solution they have reached; and

• show mastery of each of the section-specific “Learning Objectives” appearing in chapters 1–15 of University Physics.

Tentative schedule

Attendance

The university requires that all students have a verified attendance at least once during the first two weeks of the semester for each course. If your attendance is not verified, you will be dropped from the course and any financial aid will be adjusted accordingly. Please see http://olemiss.edu/gotoclass for more information.

Regular attendance is strongly encouraged. During class, I will sometimes present worked problems, give hints and tips about the homework, and provide guidance about where to focus your studies for the tests and exams. In addition, a portion of your grade is derived from responses to questions posed during lectures.

Academic integrity and honesty

Students are expected to adhere to the University of Mississippi Creed and the Standards of Honesty as described in Policy Code ACA.AR.600.001 and the M Book.

Students are reminded that cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Performance on all tests and assignments shall represent the individual work of the student. Those who violate the Standards of Honesty will be reported and subject to the appropriate sanction, which may include expulsion from the University.

Intellectual property

All materials distributed electronically and in hard copy in this class are protected under intellectual copyright. Any attempt to upload these documents to a file sharing service or to profit from their distribution by any means constitutes theft and will be in violation of intellectual property law and the UM Academic Conduct Code unless expressly permitted for by the instructor.

Nondiscrimination policy

The University complies with all applicable laws regarding affirmative action and equal opportunity in all its activities and programs and does not discriminate against anyone protected by law because of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, handicap, or status as a veteran or disabled veteran.

Policies and procedures for students with disabilities

It is University policy to provide, on a flexible and individual basis, reasonable accommodations to students who have disabilities that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or meet course requirements. Students with disabilities should contact the Office of Student Disability Services (662-915-7128 or sds@olemiss.edu) to discuss their individual needs.

Examinations and last week of class

Regulations governing all examinations — A student’s failure to appear for an examination without an acceptable excuse,inability to present valid identification,absence from the room during the course of an examination without the consent of the examiner, or attempting any portion of an examination without submitting his or her answers shall result in failure of the examination. Tardiness beyond 15 minutes forfeits a student’s right to an examination.

Final examinations — A final examination, to be given at the time posted in the examination schedule, is required in each undergraduate course, unless the appropriate chair and dean have approved an exception. A student who has three or four final examinations in one day may arrange with the course instructor to take the noon or 7:30 p.m. examination at another time. In order to give a final examination at any time other than that shown in the posted examination schedule, an instructor must have prior approval of the department chair and dean.

Last week of class — The following guidelines exist to allow sufficient time for students and instructors to prepare for final examinations. These guidelines apply to the week preceding final examinations for undergraduate courses held during Fall and Spring semesters.

• During the period of Wednesday through Friday of the last week of class, instructors are not to give exams, tests, or quizzes that contribute more than 10% of the final grade for a class. An instructor can obtain approval of the department chair and dean to give an exam, test, or quiz, of this weight, during this three day period. Instructors should return graded work and/or inform students of their grades on exams, tests, or quizzes prior to the beginning of finals week.

• Exceptions to the above statement are automatically made for lab-based courses, technical writing courses, seminar courses that assign a term paper, and senior design courses that assign a multi-faceted project in lieu of a final exam. Major projects of the above types, which contribute more than 10% of the final grade and which are due during this Last Week period, should be assigned in the syllabus at the beginning of the semester and any substantial change in the assignment should be made known to students before the drop deadline.