General Physics I

Time

Tues/Thurs 11:30-1:00

Place

SciBldg 216

Text

Young & Freedman's University Physics

General Info

The course will not require math beyond algebra; the text does include some calculus. My intent is to discuss what the calculus notation means and to use it conceptually. Depending on the backgrounds of the enrolled students I may split the course once per week into calculus/algebra sections, and have slightly different assignments for each.

We will cover only the first third or so of the rather large text (roughly one chapter per week), and will continue to use it in the second term, and even into the third for those who continue on.

The course is 4 credits. Expect weekly problem sets, posted here, and about three exams spread over the term.

This course continues in the Spring with General Physics II, covering the essentials of electromagnetism.

Assignments

1. for Tues Sept 10
   • Read the intro on "How to do physics" and chapter 1, especially units & conversions, powers of 10, and vector components.
   • Feel free to take a whack at my "Physics Diagnostic", especially if you think you've seen most of this before.
   • Problems 1-2, 1-7, 1-19, 1-27, 1-51, 1-29, 1-57
2. for Tues Sept 17
   • Read chapter 2-1 through 2-6.
   • Do problems 2-3, 2-8, 2-13, 2-17, *2-25, 2-35, 2-43, 2-59, 2-66, *2-71. ("*" problems are harder or longer and at your discretion.)
3. for Tues Sept 24
   • Read chapter 3, especially 3-4 & 3-5.
   • Do problems 3-5, 3-11, 3-15, 3-23, 3-27, 3-33, 3-49, 3-55.
4. for Tues Oct 1
   • Read chapter 4.
   • Do Q4-27, Q4-33, 4-4, 4-7, 4-15, 4-23, 4-29, 4-39, 4-48.
     (Because of the test on Tues, you can hand these in Thurs, and
     and I will wait until then to hand out solutions.)
5. for Tues Oct 8
   • Read chapter 5. (Not the parts on drag and air resistance.)
   • Do Q5-13, Q5-23, 5-3, 5-17, 5-19, 5-23, 5-37, 5-48, 5-83
6. for Tues Oct 15
   • Read chapter 6. (Not parts on varying force)
   • Do 5-55, 5-65, 5-79, 5-91, 5-101, Q6-11, Q6-18, Q6-21, 6-13, 6-19
7. for Thurs Oct 25 (No class Tues; Hendrick's days)
   • Read chapter 7. Ignore stuff with lots of calculus.
   • Do 6-21, 6-34, 6-61, 6-69, Q7-6, 7-12, 7-17, 7-38, 7-46, 7-67
8. for Thurs Nov 7
   • Read chapter 8, momentum
   • Do Q8-2, Q8-7, Q8-20, Q8-23, 8-9, 8-17, 8-23, 8-41, 8-79*
9. for Thurs Nov 14
   • Read chapter 9, on rotations. (Not the integrals for moment of inertia.)
   • Do Q9-9, 9-2, 9-17, 9-21, 9-33, 9-43, 9-84
10. for Thurs Nov 21
    • Read chapter 10
    • Do Q10-15, 10-3, 10-13, 10-17*, 10-27, 10-36, 10-39, 10-45*