SYLLABUS FOR PHY 1102
            
CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS           PHY 1102          4 SEMESTER HOURS

Thomas L. Rokoske, Office CAP 253, Office hours 9:00-11:00 M-R, Tel:262-7499,

email: rokosketl@appstate.edu 

CATALOG DESCRIPTION  

An introductory survey of ideas of wave motion, sound, light and color. Lecture three
hours, laboratory two hours. Prerequisite: PHY 1101. (Numerical Data) (Core:
Natural Sciences) ND Prerequisite: Passing the math placement test or successful
completion of MAT 0010.)

OBJECTIVES     
          To introduce the basic descriptive concepts of wave motion, sound,  light and color 
          necessary for a mature understanding in our society. These include studying the
          property of waves, sound, the ear, how the principles of sound are used in music. The
          basic properties of electromagnetic spectrum, classical and modern optics including
          the  properties of light, the eye, optical instruments, laser, spectroscopy, color mixing
          and the CIE color system.           

OUTLINE OF CONTENT
          
     LECTURE
               
           Vibration and Waves.               
           Sound.
           Electric and Magnetic Forces         
           Electromagnetic Interactions.
           Electromagnetic Waves
           The Electromagnetic Spectrum
           Classical and Modern Optics
           Spectroscopy            
               
     LABORATORY
          
           Speed of Sound
           Waveforms
           Radioactive Simulation
           Properties of Light
           Spectrophotometer
           Snell's Law
           Lenses
          
METHODOLOGY    
          The lecture part of the course uses a conceptual approach. The instructor begins with
          a question or shows a demonstration of a physical law and then provides a discussion
          that allows the student to develop an understanding of the physical phenomena. Basic
          algebraic formulae will be used to reinforce the concepts. This is important as it
          molds the scope of what is possible for that phenomena. These molds are called
          "models" of the phenomena and are the essence of what the physicist develops for
          understanding. Many of the important topics will also be investigated in laboratory
          exercises. There will be a session on how to analyze algebraic word problems and
          examples of how to work problems will be given. Homework is assigned
          periodically.
                 
          Laboratory periods consist of investigations of some physical phenomena. Students
          will use measurement apparatus which are interfaced to computers to make scientific
          measurements of meaningful physical parameters. There is also a graphing program
          which allows the experimenter to easily construct a graph and obtain the important
          physical parameters. At other times students will perform measurements with simple
          equipment, whichever is to be used has been chosen to allow one to measure the
          essence of the experiment simply. Usually students work in groups of two and each
          will hand in a laboratory report.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS  

          Students are required to take three hour tests and a final exam, work out and hand in
          requested homework, attend all laboratory sessions and hand in an individual report
          for each period. Occasionally there will be either announced or unannounced quizzes.

EVALUATION/GRADING   

          The following schedules will be used to determine the final numerical grade.
               45% Tests
               15% Final Exam(cumulative)
               25% Lab (lab work & reports)                      
               10% Quizzes, Homework, etc.
                5% Attendance (Late arrivals will not be counted)               

          Homework and other written work must be turned in on time, otherwise substantial
          late penalties will be assessed.


          Grades will be curved so that the class average is a C. If the class average is higher
          than a C that average will be used instead. 

ATTENDANCE /PARTICIPATION POLICY

          Lecture attendance is expected since exams are based
          on the readings, laboratory and lectures. However, attendance will not be taken after
          the first few classes, but will be recorded from the papers that are handed in.
          Attendance may be used in determining a grade when it is on the borderline between
          two levels.

          If two or more unexcused absences from laboratory occur, then the student will
          receive a grade of F for the entire course. You may be excused from a laboratory for
          legitimate reasons. Excuses must be presented at the next lab meeting. You are
          responsible for the material that was missed during an absence.
 
          If an hour test is missed then a grade of zero will be assigned unless it is excused. In
          the latter case, the student will have the other hour tests and final exam weighted
          greater. There are no make-up tests. Participation is encouraged in class discussion,
          but is not necessary to receive an excellent grade.

REQUIRED READING

          The required reading is from the class assignments stated on the schedule from the
          text readings and laboratory manual. 

READINGS, REPRINTS AND LABORATORY MANUAL

          Students are required to have in their possession a textbook, a laboratory manual and
          a scientific calculator. 

             PHYSICS MATTERS James Trefil and Robert Hazen

             CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS 1102 LAB MANUAL (2005 ed.)

          A scientific calculator will allow one to work with numbers in powers of ten, has
          sine, cosine, tangent, inverse sine, inverse cosine, inverse tangent, yx, square root,
          and square x2.

UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS
               
          None.