CONTEMPORARY PHYSICS
SYLLABUS
GSP 1010
TWO SEMESTER HOURS
Dr. Donovan N. Leonard Office: CAP 222 email: Leonarddn@appstate.edu
Dr. Thomas L. Rokoske Tel: 262-7499, Office: CAP 253 email: rokosketl@appstate.edu
Course web site: http://www.phys.appstate.edu/courses/tlr_scourses8.html
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This course presents a broad view of essential areas of contemporary physics.
Ideas of modern physics are presented at an introductory level with the
necessary classical physics needed for their understanding. Topics include
electromagnetism, gravitation conservation laws, quantum physics and nuclear
physics. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours.
OBJECTIVES
To introduce the basic descriptive concepts of contemporary physics necessary
for a mature understanding of our technical society. Many of these topics will
be investigated by laboratory exercises and practical examples illustrating how
physics is used in everyday life. Energy is the theme that runs through all the
courses.
OUTLINE OF CONTENT
LECTURE
Introduction - Big Bang to Today
Force and Motion.
Momentum and its Conservation.
Work and Energy.
Electromagnetic Phenomena.
Waves, Optics and the Wave Nature of Light.
Quantum Theory Applied to the Atom and Nucleus
LABORATORY
Measurement of Physical Quantaties
or Math Refresher
Introduction to Motion
Hooke's Law
Sound Waves in Air
Ohm's law
Atomic Spectroscopy
METHODOLOGY
The lecture part of the course is an instructor initiated discussion of the
concepts of physics along with demonstrations to illustrate the phenomena.
A review of how to analyze algebraic word problems and examples of how to
work problems will be given. Homework is assigned periodically. Minute Feedback
Papers will be filled out by each student at the end of the period and will
be discussed at the beginning of the next class or by email.
Laboratory periods consist of investigations of physical phenomena. Students
will use experimental apparatus to make scientific measurements of meaningful
physical parameters by the use of a personal computer. Usually students work in
groups of two and each will hand in a laboratory report.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Students are required to read the assigned readings from the text and lab manual,
take one hour test and a two hour final exam, work out and hand in the requested
homework, attend all laboratory sessions and hand in an individual report for
each period. All answers are to be written in complete sentences. Occasionally
there will be either announced or unannounced quizzes. A calculator with
trigometric functions may be used during quizes and exams.
EVALUATION/GRADING
The following schedules will be used to determine the final numerical grade. You
will obtain an individual grade for this course. (Note: This course is not
graded with GSC-1020, GSG-1030 or GSB-1040.)
30% Lab (lab work & reports) 35% Comprehensive Final Exam
20% Test 15% Quizzes, Homework, etc.
Homework and other written work must be turned in on time, otherwise substantial
late penalties will be assessed.
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION POLICY
Lecture attendance is expected since exams are based on the readings, homework,
laboratory and lectures. The class roll will not be called after the first few
classes, instead Minute Feedback Papers will be used to determine attendance.
Your attendance record may be used in determining your final grade. Lectures and
Laboratory Sessions are CELL PHONE OFF ZONES. Students should arrive on time, be
ready for learning at the beginning of class, that means: you have had adequate
rest and have eaten. If you are having difficulty arriving on time, consult the
Appalcart Schedule and determine the proper lead time to arrive at the classroom
on time. Increase your travel time during inclement weather. Check the ASU Home
page if there is a possibilty that classes may be cancelled during extreme weather.
If there is one unexcused absence from the laboratory, then the student will
receive a grade of F for the entire course. If you know that you will miss your
enrolled section of laboratory, then upon request to the lab instructor you may
be allowed to attend a different section for just that lab. You must return to
your usual lab for the other labs. You may be excused from a laboratory for
legitimate reasons. Excuses must be presented within one week of returning to
the lab. If excused, you are still responsible for the missed material.
If the hour test is missed, then a grade of zero will be assigned unless it is
excused. If the miss is excused then the student will take a make-up hour test
no later than one week after the scheduled. Anyone using a CELL PHONE DURING AN
EXAM WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF F ON THAT EXAM.
Information about the course is available from the web site. Start from the
Campus Pipeline or type the following URL in your browser
http://www.phys.appstate.edu/courses/tlr_scourses8.html
Participation is encouraged in class discussion, but is not necessary to receive
an excellent grade. Optional review sessions will be held outside of class time.
REQUIRED READING
The required reading is from the class assignments stated on the class schedule
from the readings and laboratory manual. These should be read before the class
or laboratory period. PowerPoint notes will be available at the course site
after the lecture is given.
READINGS, REPRINTS AND LABORATORY MANUAL
Students are required to have in their possession a textbook:
INQUIRY INTO PHYSICS, 5th Edition, by V. J. Ostdick and D. J. Bord, class
handouts and a current laboratory manual, CONTEMPORARY PHYSICS GSP-1010
LABORATORY MANUAL (2007-2008 version) and a calculator having trig functions.
UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS
This course is the first part of four two hour half-semester courses. The next
course to be taken in this sequence is GSC-1020 and is offered during the second
half of the present semester. GSP-1010 must be taken before the other three courses
as it introduces the energy theme of the eight hour block of courses.
080109