Instructor:  Dr. C.D. Ross   Office:  Stevens 104
Office telephone: 804-395-2587

Office Hours:  M-R 11-11:50 and by appointment.

Course Description:  An introduction to the basic concepts of electricity and magnetism, wave mechanics, acoustics, optics and thermodynamics.

Text:  J.D. Cutnell and K.W. Johnson, Physics , 6th edition, John Wiley
and Sons, Inc., New York, 2004.

Course Objectives: 1)  To convey a sense of physics as a process ,
                                      developing the student's ability to approach
                                      problems logically and creatively.

                                2)  To establish physics as a body of knowledge,
                                     with both practical and profound implications.

Course Schedule:

Electricity and Magnetism

M.  Jan. 17-    Chapter 18  Electric Forces/Fields
T    Feb. 15     Chapter 19  Electric Potential
                        Chapter 20  Electric Circuits
                        Chapter 21  Magnetic Forces/Fields
                        Chapter 22  Electromagnetic Induction

Test 1: Tuesday February 15

Waves

W. February 16-          Chapter 16  Waves and Sound

T. April 5                     Chapter 17  Superposition and Interference

                                    Chapter 24  Electromagnetic Waves

                                    Chapter 25  Reflection

                                    Chapter 26  Refraction

                                    Chapter 27  Optical Interference

Test 2: Tuesday April 5

Thermodynamics

W. April 6-        Chapter 12  Temperature and Heat
F. April 29         Chapter 13  The Transfer of Heat
                            Chapter 15 Thermodynamics

Test 3:  Tuesday April 26
 

Final Examination:  Thursday, May 5, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m..

Course Requirements:

(1)  Three tests; (2) Final exam; (3) Homework problems as assigned.
Assignments are due at the beginning of  the class period on the due date.
Late homework will not be accepted unless due to an excused absence.
Format for problems will be discussed in class.  (4)  Laboratory activities -
much of your learning will take place in the laboratory.  (5)  Quizzes - At the
end of most lecture periods there will be a 5 to 10 minute quiz on material
covered up to and including that class.  This includes both lecture material and material from the reading assignment for that class.

Grading:  Your point total for the semester is calculated from the formula
below:
Point total = Highest test (25%) + Next highest test
score (25%) + Exam (25%) + Homework (17%) + Quizzes (8%)

Your final grade is determined by dividing your prorated point total by 100 possible
points and computing a percentage.  This percentage is graded according to
the following scale:

A+ 98 and above; A 94-97; A- 90-93; B+ 88-89; B 84-87; B- 80-83; C+ 78-
79; C 74-77; C- 70-73; D+ 68-69; D 64-67; D- 60-63; F+ 58-59; F 54-57; F-
53 and below

Attendance Policy:  All assignments are expected to be handed in on time
and all tests taken at the assigned time unless prior arrangements have been
made.  Exceptions may be made in the event of a certifiable emergency.  If
you miss more than 25% of the class meetings (lab and lecture combined) you
will receive a final grade of F for the course.  This includes excused and
unexcused absences and there are no exceptions to this rule. Attendance sheets
will be used to verify attendance.  It is your responsibility to see
that your name is signed on the attendance sheet. Signing for anyone else
will be considered an honor offense.

Quizzes:  Quizzes will occur at the end of most lecture periods (unless it is
the class before a test) and occasionally at the beginning of a lab session.  If
you have an excused absence and you see me before the next class meeting I
will let you take a makeup quiz.  There will be a total of 16 quizzes, each
counting 2 points.

Homework:  Homework problems will be graded on a 3-point scale, to be discussed in class.  Homework will be assigned most class periods and will be due the next period.  After graded homework is handed back, solutions will be posted on the class Blackboard site.  If you received 1 or 2 points on a problem, you may then resubmit it.  Your resubmission must contain the correct solution AND an explanation of what you were thinking when you got the problem wrong the first time.  If you do this correctly, I will give you 1 additional point on that problem.

Honor Code:  Students are expected to live by the Longwood University Honor
Code. If you are found responsible by the Honor Board for an Honor Code violation in this class you will receive a grade of F.

Other Requirements:  Each student must have a calculator capable of
performing trigonometric and logarithmic operations. You must be properly attired for class.  In particular, this means you must wear shoes to lecture and lab.

Bibliography:  Any introductory physics text may help you by presenting
material in an alternative way.

Students with Special Needs:  If you have a condition which requires special
attention or accommodation, please discuss your situation with me.
 

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