General Physics I

Time: MWF 8:30-9:30
Place: SciBldg 216
Text: Young & Freedman's University Physics

General Info

This is the starting point for physics at Marlboro, covering the essentials of Newtonian Mechanics, namely force, energy, angular and linear momentum, and perhaps some extras like special relativity depending on how things go. It's a "nuts-and-bolts" course that emphasizes the foundations and problem-solving techniques.

The course will not require math beyond algebra; however, the text does include calculus, and some students may wish to go that route. 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 at a pace of roughly one chapter per week. I intend to cotinue to use the same text in the second term electromagnetism course, and even for part of the third term course for those who continue on. It's a big book, and there's a lot of good studd in it.

The course is 4 credits. Expect weekly problem sets and about three exams spread over the term. I may also have some extra "lab" classes to discuss some data techniques, basic statistics, and play around with some computer simulations. We'll see how things go.

This course continues on in the Spring with electromagnetism in General Physics II, which also includes a strongly suggested companion lab course.

Syllabus

Should be posted here soon. - I need to talk to you folks first to see where you are and what you already know.

Assignments

for Fri Sept 5
- 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. Start working on the following problems if you can, which will be due next week
for Wed Sept 10
- Finish chapter 1. The "dot" and "cross" product stuff is optional.
- Do problems 1-2, 1-7, 1-19, 1-51, 1-27, 1-29, 1-57, 1-35
for Wed Sept 17
- Read chapter 2 on one-dimensional motion: velocity and acceleration
- Do problems Q2-11, 2-3, 2-15, 2-21, 2-33, 2-51, 2-66, *2-71
for Wed Sept 24
- Read chapter 3 on two dimensional and rotational motion.
- Do problems 3-5, 13, 17, 21, 23, 49, *71

Physics & Astronomy page | Jim's Schedule