SUNY-Geneseo/Physics & Astronomy
Fall 2008
 
General Physics I
 
Phys 111-02
 
TR 9:55 am - 11:10 am
   Pogo's Home Page
   Dr. Pogo  (pogo at geneseo.edu)
   Where's Pogo?
   Office: Bailey 118
Solutions CAPA homepage Exam #1 Equation Sheet  
Printable Syllabus CAPA usage information sheet Exam #2 Equation Sheet  
Solution Guidelines Physics Learning Center Exam #3 Equation Sheet  
Current Grade Status FBD Method (Purple Sheet) Exam #4 Equation Sheet  
The Force Rotational Inertia Exam #2 2007     Answers  
 
What am I doing here? “Physics” is a description (not an explanation) of the behavior of the physical world around us. In this course you will learn some of the definitions, concepts, and techniques of physics. You will practice what you have learned by solving physics problems on homework assignments, quizzes, and exams.  Seriously, the only way to learn physics is to do physics. At the end of this course, you should be able to apply the basic principles of classical mechanics to solve a variety of problems (not just limited to the types we do in class).
What if I’m confused? Your textbook, Physics (7th edition) by Cutnell & Johnson, provides many examples and hints for solving problems.  In addition, the Physics and Astronomy Department provides a FREE tutorial center, the Physics Learning Center (ISC 214), staffed by physics majors to answer your questions.  In addition, I will be happy to answer your questions (but not to do your homework for you) during the office hours listed above, or at any other mutually convenient time.
I want an ‘A’!  I want you to get an ‘A’, too! Your grade in this course will be based on your homework grades, quizzes, and exams (including a comprehensive final).
Homework: You will submit your weekly homework using the CAPA system on the internet. CAPA homework is due before 8am on the day indicated (see back). You may discuss the assignments with other students, but you are responsible for doing your own work.  Solutions to all the homework problems will be posted on the web after the homework is collected.
 
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given at the beginning of every class when homework is due. These quizzes are open notebook, and will require you to copy a homework solution for a problem due on that day. Also, unannounced quizzes may be occasionally given, emphasizing material from the previous class. I will drop your lowest quiz score when computing your final grade.
 
Exams: Exams will be given during class. Exams may require you to answer conceptual questions and to solve problems which I will design. There are 4 exams, including the final. The exams are scheduled as follows:
 
    Exam #1               Tuesday, September 23, 2008              Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4a
    Exam #2               Tuesday, October 21, 2008                  Chapters 4, 5, and 6
    Exam #3               Tuesday, November 18, 2008              Chapters 7, 8, and 9
    Exam #4 (Final)    Tuesday, December 11, 2008 (noon)     All Chapters (+10, 11, 12, 13)

 

If, for some non-trivial reason, you are unable to take an exam at the scheduled time, I may allow you to take a make-up exam; however, you must contact me at least 1 week prior to the exam date. Rescheduling is your responsibility, not mine!

 
Grades: You will receive only one combined grade for this course and the associated Phys 112 Lab. Final grades will be computed as follows:
                
  CAPA Assignments 15% (total)
  Quizzes   9% (total)
  Lab Grade 20% (also, you must pass the lab to pass the course)
  Exams #1, 2, and 3 12% (each; 36% total)
  Final Exam  20%
What is my responsibility?  You must attend and participate in class (and arrive on time), study the relevant sections of your textbook, and complete the homework assignments on time.  This course moves along quickly and covers a lot of material; it is important that you keep up to date!
When will it all happen?  Here is the schedule of events for this semester.  Please note the due dates for homework and the dates for exams. The schedule is subject to revision as the course progresses, and any major changes will be announced in class.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Reading assignment: sections 1.1 - 1.5
Reading assignment: Appendices A and B
Reading assignment: sections 1.6 - 1.8; 2.1 - 2.3
Reading assignment: Appendix E
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Reading assignment: sections 2.4 - 2.7
Reading assignment: Appendix C
Reading assignment: sections 3.1 - 3.3
Assignment #1 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Reading assignment: sections 4.1 - 4.5
Reading assignment: sections 4.6 - 4.10
Assignment #2 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Reading assignment: section 4.11
Reading assignment: section 4.12
Assignment #3 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Exam #1: Chapters 1 – 4a
Reading assignment: sections 5.1 - 5.2
Assignment #4 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Reading assignment: sections 5.3 - 5.4
Reading assignment: sections 6.1 - 6.3
Assignment #5 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Reading assignment: sections 6.4 - 6.7
Reading assignment: sections 7.1 - 7.2
Assignment #6 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
No Class: Fall Break
Reading assignment: sections 7.3 - 7.5
Assignment #7 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Exam #2: Chapters 4b – 7a
Reading assignment: sections 8.1 - 8.3
Assignment #8 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Reading assignment: sections 8.4 - 8.6
Reading assignment: sections 9.1 - 9.2
Assignment #9 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Reading assignment: sections 9.3 - 9.4
Reading assignment: sections 9.5 - 9.6
Assignment #10 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Reading assignment: sections 10.1 - 10.3
Reading assignment: sections 10.4 - 10.6
Assignment #11 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Exam #3: Chapters 7b – 9
Reading assignment: sections 11.1 - 11.6 
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Reading assignment: sections 11.7 - 11.10
Assignment #12 Due (8:00am)
No Class: Thanksgiving
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Reading assignment: sections 12.1 - 12.4, 12.6 - 12.8
 
Reading assignment: sections 13.1 - 13.4
Assignment #13 Due (8:00am)
Monday, December 8, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Assignment #14 Due (1:00pm)
Final Exam: Chapters 1 – 13