Syllabus for BC Physics 2001 - Mechanics, Fall 2006
Instructor
Dr. Stiliana Savin
Altschul Hall, Room 502.
e-mail: santonov@barnard.edu
phone: 4-2089
Office Hours
Tuesdays and Thursdays 12-1 pm or by appointment; room 502, Altschul Hall.
Textbook
Title: Fundamentals of Physics, Vol. 1, 7th edition.
Author: Halliday,
Resnick,
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Additional reading
The following texts are recommended, but not required:
2. Principles of Physics, by Serway R.,
4th edition, John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
3. Mathematical Methods for Introductory
Physics with Calculus, by Davidson, Ronald C., 3rd edition, Saunders College
Publishing
Scope
This course covers topics from classical mechanics and dynamics. We will be concerned with the motion of big, slow moving objects, that is, what we observe in our everyday life. Work, energy and conservation laws will offer an alternative approach to analyzing motion. Properties and motion of waves will also be covered. When appropriate, recent advances in physics research will be presented.
Tentative Schedule
Sept. 5 Welcome to Mechanics, Motion Along a Straight Line
Sept. 7 Motion Along a Straight Line - Cont.
Sept. 12 Vectors
Sept. 14 Motion in Two and Three Dimensions
Sept. 19 Motion in Two and Three Dimensions
Sept. 21 Force
and Motion,
Sept. 26 Force and Motion - Some Particular Forces
Sept. 28 Force and Motion - Frictional and Drag Forces
Oct. 3 Kinetic Energy and Work
Oct. 5 Kinetic Energy and Work - Cont.
Oct. 10 Exam 1
Oct. 12 Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy
Oct. 17 Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy - Cont.
Oct. 19 Center of Mass and Linear Momentum
Oct. 24 Center of Mass and Linear Momentum - Cont.
Oct. 26 Rotation
Oct. 31 Rotation - Cont.
Nov. 2 Torque and Angular Momentum
Nov. 7 No Class
Nov. 9 Torque and Angular Momentum - Cont.
Nov. 14 Equilibrium and Elasticity
Nov. 16 Exam 2
Nov. 21 Gravitation
Nov. 23 No Class
Nov. 28 Gravitation - Cont.
Nov. 30 Oscillations
Dec. 5 Wrap-up and Review
Dec. 7 Wrap-up and Review
Exams
There will be two midterm exams and a final exam. The tentative midterm exam dates are October 10 and November 16.
Course work
You will have about 10 homework assignments throughout the semester. Homework assignments will be handed out in class. Late homework will not be accepted. Homework will be graded and will contribute to your final grade.
Lab
This course has a lab component. Lab sections are assigned during the first week of classes. Experiments usually start in the third week of classes. Please, refer to the Lab manual for schedule and lab policies.
Grading
Your work throughout the entire semester will contribute to your final grade as follows: Final exam 35%; Midterm exams 20% each; Homework assignments 10%; Lab 15%.