Homework

Homework will be computer graded via Expert TA. To register for class go to the link http://goeta.link/USQ40PA-C9B9B5-2PD and follow instructions. HW will be assigned weekly with deadlines (usually) on Wednesdays and Sundays at 11:59pm. Homework number “1” will help you to learn Expert TA. It is strongly recommended that you register with Expert TA and do HW 1 to get prepared to perform next homework properly.

Quizzes

Course objectives cannot be reached without problem solving practice. Quizzes are included to help students gain problem solving skill and developing ability to represent the results on paper in the required  standard  format. Results  should be represented  in  clear  and  consistent manner showing ability to perform correct evaluation. Quizzes will be mixed multiple choice problems with show your work option for part of the problems, which usually requires a little calculations but good understanding of physical law and concepts. There will be no makeup quizzes, unless I have prior notification of your intended absence. No unauthorized electrical devices (cell phones etc.) during quiz time!

Laboratory works.

There are will be number of labworks. Laboratory work write up will be posted in Canvas earlier than labwork day to become familiar with the work content and be prepared to perform experiments. It is required to turn in lab reports for grading on the next class day after the last day they are performed. Handing them in to me late will result in a penalty (grade reduction) of 10% for each class day after the due date. The labworks performed by team and  the lab reports also will be submitted as teamwork indicating contribution of each team member in percent.

No make up for labworks.

Exams

Exams will be closed book but important physical constants will be provided.

Scientific calculators are allowed during exams but other electronic devices may not be used at any time.

Course Description

This is the first physics course in a three-course sequence for science and engineering majors at Penn State. We shall cover topics of classical mechanics including kinematics and dynamics of linear and rotational motion, conservation laws, Newton’s theory of gravity and introduction into theory of oscillations and waves.

Course Outcomes

    Understanding the concepts of mechanics

o Kinematics: notions of linear and angular displacement, velocity, acceleration and the relations between them. Mastering analytical (vector) and graphical description of     motion.

o Dynamics: notions of Force and Torque.

Most common forces: gravity, normal force, tension, forces of friction and air resistance. Three Newton’s Laws.

o Conservation laws: notions of Energy, Momentum and Angular Momentum. Conditions for applicability of the conservation laws.

o Newton’s theory of gravity. Orbital motion of planets. Kepler’s laws.

o Basics of oscillatory motion and waves. Examples.

    Developing problem solving skills to reinforce conceptual understanding

o Applying familiar mathematical tools in physics: algebra, basic calculus, vectors and graphs.

o Developing analytical skills: identifying concepts relevant for a given problem and breaking the solution into simple auxiliary steps.

o Mastering qualitative reasoning: units analysis, proportions and scaling arguments.        Developing the ability of predicting an approximate answer to a problem before solving the problem.

Grading Policy

Your grade in the course will be based on your performance in the labs, on the homework assignments, on the exams, and on your participation in class (includes attendance, in-class performance, quizzes and challenge problems) with the following weights:

Final letter grades for the course will be based on an absolute scale. The course score will be calculated to the nearest integer. No curving for exams will be employed unless the average exam score is less than 60%. In such cases, the grades on the exam will be adjusted by

additively raising the exam scores to allow the exam average to meet the target minimum of 60%.

The break points for the various grade levels are:

Attendance Policy

Also attendance will not be graded class attendance is expected. Graded will be your                   participation in class activity (in class problem solving, answering checkpoint questions and so   on.) , so if you absent you can not gain points for participation. Student will be marked as absent if he/she is late for more than 10 min. If you miss class then:

a) Lab exercises can be made up only upon availability of the equipment or classroom. However, due to crowded scheduling, this may be difficult. Since many class exercises and all quizzes cannot be made up, excessive absences will negatively affect the class grade. Labs and assignments are due on the due date, even if the student is absent. Labs may be emailed if the student is not able to attend.

b) If a student has a serious reason for missing exam 1, exam 2 or the final exam, the professor must be contacted on or before the date of the exam and evidence should be provided to document the legitimacy of a makeup. The make up exam may be in a different format and could be comprehensive. Immediate notification of the professor on or before the day of the final exam is essential if the student must be absent for a legitimate reason.

Disability Access Statement

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have a question about disability services, please contact Tiffany Ostrowski, Room 223 Sutherland, 215-881-7962,tmo5227@psu.edu.  In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, ADA law requires the         student themselves to self-disclose the need for accommodations. This can be done through    SDR's online intake form:equity.psu.edu/sdr/applying-for-services/intake/general. SDR will  then follow up with information regarding next steps to determine eligibility: submitting         diagnostic documentation and participating in an intake interview.

SDR will provide the student with an accommodation letter for the semester if the student      meets eligibility requirements. It is the student's responsibility to share their letter and discuss accommodations with instructors as early in their courses as possible. Instructors are not        required to provide accommodations until the letter is presented and discussed. Students must follow this process for each semester they wish to receive accommodations. Please visit         abington.psu.edu/disability-services and equity.psu.edu/sdr for comprehensive information.

This semester, SDR will be meeting with students via Zoom. Please email

[email protected] with questions or to schedule an appointment.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest, and responsible manner. Academic integrity is  a basic  guiding principle  for all  academic  activity at the Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University’s Code of Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students’ dignity, rights, and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.

Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation,  or  deception.  Such  acts  of dishonesty violate the  fundamental  ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.

The following practices constitute, for the purposes of this policy, violations academic integrity:

* Cheating * Submitting previous work

* Copying on a test * Tampering with work

* Plagiarism * Ghosting

* Acts of aiding and abetting * Altering exams

* Unauthorized possession * Computer program theft

A student caught committing any of these violations will be subject to a sanction ranging from a document official warning to failure of the course. In extreme cases, failure due to violations of academic integrity will be noted on the student’s official transcript as an XF and become part of his or her permanent record.

A student has the right to contest an instructor’s accusation and/or sanction and may seek a hearing before the College Academic Integrity Committee. For additional details, go to the following website:www.psu.edu/dept/tlc/events/integrity.html