SUNY-Geneseo/Physics & Astronomy
Fall 2009
 
General Physics I
 
Phys 113-02
 
TR 10:00 am - 11:15 am
   Pogo's Home Page
   Dr. Pogo  (pogo at geneseo.edu)
   Where's Pogo?
   Office: ISC 228D
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 #4, 2008         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 (8th 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 233), 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 29, 2009              Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4a
    Exam #2               Tuesday, October 27, 2009                  Chapters 4, 5, and 6
    Exam #3               Tuesday, November 24, 2009              Chapters 7, 8, and 9
    Exam #4 (Final)    Tuesday, December 17, 2009 (8:00am) 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: Final grades will be computed as follows:
                
  CAPA Assignments 20% (total)
  Quizzes 15% (total)
  Exams #1, 2, and 3 15% (each; 45% 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, September 1, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
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 8, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
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 15, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Reading assignment: sections 4.1 - 4.5
Reading assignment: sections 4.6 - 4.10
Assignment #2 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Reading assignment: section 4.11
Reading assignment: section 4.12
Assignment #3 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
 
Exam #1: Chapters 1 – 4a
Reading assignment: sections 5.1 - 5.2
Assignment #4 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Reading assignment: sections 5.3 - 5.4
Reading assignment: sections 6.1 - 6.3
Assignment #5 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
 
No Class: Fall Break
Reading assignment: sections 6.4 - 6.7
Assignment #6 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Reading assignment: sections 7.1 - 7.2
Reading assignment: sections 7.3 - 7.5
Assignment #7 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
 
Exam #2: Chapters 4b – 7a
Reading assignment: sections 8.1 - 8.3
Assignment #8 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Reading assignment: sections 8.4 - 8.6
Reading assignment: sections 9.1 - 9.2
Assignment #9 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Reading assignment: sections 9.3 - 9.4
Reading assignment: sections 9.5 - 9.6
Assignment #10 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Reading assignment: sections 10.1 - 10.3
Reading assignment: sections 10.4 - 10.6
Assignment #11 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
 
Exam #3: Chapters 7b – 9
 
No Class: Thanksgiving
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Reading assignment: sections 11.1 - 11.6
 
Reading assignment: sections 11.7 - 11.10
Assignment #12 Due (8:00am)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
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 14, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Assignment #14 Due (1:00pm)
 
Final Exam: Chapters 1 – 13